A (Real) Holiday Tablescape

Last night I hosted a soup supper for the office staff.  I wanted a holiday look, but with a lot of practicality to it as we were actually going to eat at the table, converse at the table and serve food from the table. This is what I did:

Each place setting was on a charger.  These chargers are from Pier One, from about three years ago.  The white plates are World Market.  The napkins are rolled and tucked into little bulb ornaments from this year's Walgreen's merchandise.  They are so cute!    The centerpiece is a row of candles from Pier One.  I love this centerpiece as it is low and it allows for conversation.  Woven through it is a strand of real greens.  We added a bread plate and a cracker bowl and we were able to converse, eat, and enjoy a simple table that was festive and fun.

Our main menu was a simple broccoli cheese soup and a taco soup.  Both were hits!  I asked each couple to bring a dessert to share.  That was so much fun!  We had a great variety of desserts from brownies to pecan pie!

We made a holiday cocktail of pink lemonade and champagne.  We make a batch of frozen lemonade and then add champagne enough to fill our pitcher.  We serve it over ice.

Here are the two soup recipes:

Broccoli Cheese Soup from Pioneer Woman and Taco Soup from Steffes Family Recipes.