Happy Tuesday everyone!  We are day 13 into The 24 Days Before Christmas and this Cardinal and Swag Christmas Table is all about the swag! I hope it gives you all the Christmas feels and brings you inspiration.  I’ve used this Christmas China for a few years now and still love it!  Thank you Home Goods and TJMaxx for bringing in the most fabulous “Holiday Wishes” pattern by 222 Fifth PTS International.  It took me two years to collect it all and I did it!

My previous Christmas tables are here if you would like to refer back to them for inspiration and some table decorating ideas I’ve posted along the way!

– Christmas Table 2021

– Christmas Eve Table 2021

– Deer And Berries Christmas Table

This year, I changed it up a bit every so slightly.  No I can’t say that!  I added something really big to the table in the form of two large swags from Hobby Lobby.  These swags were originally $99.95 a piece and I got them each for 60% off.  I had every intention of putting them outside on my front porch around my two lanterns.  Then I decided to hang them on my banister until it hit me that I would use them on my Christmas table this year!  This table sits 8 but I have it set for 6 considering we have a small group this year.  

Wondering what Mr. TAL and I are making for dinner this year?????  Homemade pirogies, roast with carrots and potatoes, ham, homemade lasagna, and baked tilapia with crab meat!  I’ll be sharing some of these recipes with you if everyone agrees they are “blog worthy”!

How to decorate a Christmas table:

The first thing I did was break out my black tablecloth and placed my two swags with the larger ends touching each other.  I set the table as I normally do every year and then integrated 3 black candle sticks from Kirklands (similar HERE) and 3 silver candle holders that I received as a gift years ago. The red candle sticks are from Walmart and inside of each candle globe, I placed a sparkly red battery operated candle from TJMaxx I bought a few years ago.  I love Cardinal decor around the holidays.  Here are some ways I, or you, could change things up a bit next year to incorporate more of these beautiful red birds on the table:

– Replace the berry and twigs napkin holders for Cardinals
– Use napkins with a cardinal motif
– Place little clip on birds (Cardinals) inside of my swags
– At each place setting, give a Cardinal tree ornament as a gift
– For those of you who are crafty, make gift bags with Cardinals on them and fill each bag with something personal for that special person at their designated chair
– Tie a wreath on the back of each chair with complimenting ribbon (this could also be your gift)
– Add wine glass charms with a cardinal or bird design
– Replace the swags with miniature or small Christmas trees decorated to match your dishes

My little giveaway:

BUT…there is something on this table that isn’t quite right.  Something that isn’t perfect and to me stands out like a sore thumb!  I messed up but my mess up can easily be fixed.  Can you spot it?  If you can, comment below because I’m giving away an 8 oz tin “Holiday Scented Candle” to anyone who can figure out what it is!!!  Yes, I know…this table is a tad bit busy so look closely :-).

I hope you enjoyed our Christmas table this year and my little giveaway game 🙂  I always enjoy putting it together and will love seeing your responses.  I’ll let you all know in Monday’s post who the winner(s) are!  I will contact those who won to get home addresses for shipping your 8 oz tin candle!  This giveaway runs until 12:00 pm 12/16/22.  Good luck everyone!