Christmas Morning Breakfast …
one of my favorite holiday traditions.
Christmas Eve was the main event for our family.
When my sister and I had families of our own our traditions changed. We spent Christmas Eve with our own families and in-laws and gathered at our mom’s on Christmas morning.
It was definitely breakfast, not brunch. My nieces were young and up early excited to tear into their gifts. My mom, their granny, insisted on breakfast before opening presents.
My mom loved decorating for Christmas and getting out her Waechterbach ceramic dinnerware. It was gifted to her by our grandmother, her (former) mother-in-law. They remained very close which was a wonderful thing.
When I inherited the Waechterbach, I continued my mom’s tradition and set our table with Waechterbach for Christmas morning breakfast.
With the Waechtersbach in mind, I embraced a traditional red and green theme for Snowberry’s first Christmas.
My Christmas bins had been in storage for nearly five years. It was fun to open them up after all this time … everything felt brand new again. After assessing what I had, I did a little shopping. Very little.
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Table Setting
I found this fun plaid table runner and it beautifully compliments the vibrant colors of the Waechtersbach.
To build on that I pulled out my hunter green round woven placemats and Aerin Lauder basket weave chargers. They don’t make these chargers anymore … what?! … but these are similar.
Don’t the Waechtersbach plates look beautiful layered on top?
My everyday flatware wasn’t doing it for me, and my grandmother’s silver was too much, so I rummaged through the garage and pulled out my outdoor flatware. I love how the ivory-colored handles work with the setting.
And finally … napkins. I bought these green, linen napkins for our fall table settings. Added bonus, they’re perfect for Christmas too.
About those napkins, after setting the table I realized I forgot to add them … where to place them? I love the setting so much as is … so why not put them in the mugs. I wasn’t sure how to do it … so I Googled and learned a new napkin folding skill. Ok, my only napkin folding skill.
Centerpiece
For a centerpiece I placed a twig and pinecone wreath that I bought years ago on a wood lazy Susan.
I added a plain glass hurricane and an ivory pillar candle.
Oh, and I dropped some sugared cranberries around the candle. It’s hard to see them.
Also, in my storage bins I found two small berry wreaths and holiday pillar candles that added more fun … and candlelight to the table.
Yes, I light candles for Christmas breakfast.
And there you have it … my Christmas morning breakfast table setting.
Shop the Table –
What’s on the menu …
If 2020 taught me anything it’s to live in the moment. That said, I look forward to Christmas 2021 and setting the table for Christmas morning breakfast en famille.
Our menu is simple … fruit salad, freshly baked muffins, and a breakfast casserole. These are some of my favorites, all kid friendly.
Blackberry-Cantaloupe Salad … I serve this fruit salad hors d’oeuvre style, on skewers, which makes for a fun presentation.
Blueberry Lemon Muffins … use the basic Pillsbury muffin recipe and add
1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries and 1 teaspoon of freshly grated lemon peel to the batter.
Here’s my sister’s breakfast casserole recipe … she emailed it to me back in 2004.
I’m not sure why it looks blue.
Farmer’s Casserole is also a crowd pleaser. I substitute jalapeno jack cheese for plain jack, and Canadian bacon for ham.
Since it’s just Jim and I this year, I’m making Ina Garten’s Country French Omelet. It serves two, it’s easy and delicious.
Last but not least, coffee for Jim and cocoa for me. I turned Jim’s coffee bar into a Christmas hot cocoa station.
Sipping my morning cocoa from a Waechtersbach mug makes it taste even better.
Collecting Waechtersbach
After catching a glimpse of my Waechtersbach mug on my first-ever holiday gift guide, several of you wrote to say that you collect Waechtersbach too!
I love the Christmas Tree pattern so much I think it’s time to start collecting more serving pieces.
The pattern was discontinued in 2012, but Replacements Ltd, eBay and Etsy are great sources.
Holiday Cocktail, Anyone?
Looking for fun, festive holiday cocktails … I shared recipes for a pitcher of Cranberry-Tequila Punch and a more elegant Raspberry Kir Royale.
We’ll ring in the New Year with the Raspberry Kir Royale.
Jim and I are on our own for Christmas this year.
Well, not exactly… our sweet dogs Pippa and Maggie are here making our holiday’s merry and bright.
After Christmas breakfast, we’ll take them to the bike trail or reservoir for a long walk.
This brings us to the end of Snowberry’s Holiday-Palooza!
I’ve had so much fun creating these posts and sharing Snowberry’s first Christmas.
Holiday Cocktail – Cranberry-Tequila Punch
Holiday Cocktail – Raspberry Kir Royale
And, last but not least, my Christmas Morning Breakfast Table Setting
Pin to Save for Later –
I’m incredibly grateful to you for the support and encouragement you’ve shown me since I launched the blog last summer.
In the New Year, I’ll get back to the renovation … starting with the smallest room in the house, our blue and white guest bathroom.
Stay tuned.
Until then, I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season.
Happy Holiday’s, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Snowberry!
Cheers,
Shop Snowberry Christmas –
Unless otherwise noted, all photography by Monica Vargas Photography
Loved your table setting and story. When I ws stationed in Germany, we went to the Waechtersbach factory. I don’t remember or have what I may have bought. There were several of us female single lieutenants who went. I do remember we had lunch at the adjacent cafe. Fun times. Thanks for revivig my own memories.
Oh my goodness, you went to the factory?! What fun … and what interesting adventures you must have had traveling the world with your single lieutenant friends! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! See you in the blogosphere in 2021! xo
Everything is just lovely Juliet!!! It looks so fancy, yet relaxed at the same time!!! I enjoy your blog and InstaGram so much. I feel like I know you . . . and we live 1,800 miles apart!! Merry Merry Christmas!!!
Merry Christmas, Robbin … wishing you the most wonderful holiday from our 1800 distance. Which doesn’t feel that far through the magic of the inter-webs. Thank you so much for your support, my friend. And, may the New Year bring you many blessings. xo
Merry Christmas JULIET!
MY FIRST AND ONLY STALKER!!!!!!!OR SHOULD I SAY “PROMISED NOT TO BE STALKER!”
YOU HAVE OUT DONE YOURSELF IN THE BLOG WORLD AND ME!
YOU HAVE THAT LOOK OF A PROFESSIONAL!!
CONGRATULATIONS ON EVERYTHING!
PS. WILL SEND YOU A PHOTO OF THE CRYSTAL PUNCH BOWL MAYBE LATER TODAY!ITS OUTSIDE COLLECTING DIRT UNDER THE EVES AS I HAD A PLANT IN IT FOR A FEW YEARS!
THE ITALIAN INFORMED ME LAST NIGHT WE HAVE NO RASPBERRY CROWN BOTTLE FOR THE KIR ROYALES!!!!
I BOUGHT THE RASPBERRIES!
XX
Merry Christmas, my dear Contessa! You have blessed me repeatedly this year … this bizarre and unexpected year. I owe this blog to you … and your persistence. For that I can never thank you enough. What, no Chambord. We must remedy this situation … and this little elf is on it. And, for the last time, I’m not a stalker!!! xo
I think she truly IS a professional now. : – ) This post hit every single check box – so well done.
PS
And LA CONTESSA: I honestly and truly had once believed that I was the only person in the world crazy enough to use a real crystal punch bowl as such. Mine was a planter and then made into a small bird fountain. Helps having found another one as an estate sale. ♥
Yum. Kir Royale for Christmas.
What a lovely thing to say, Michele … thank you! I see you and our favorite Contessa are kindred spirits! Happy Holiday’s! xo
I HAD NO ROOM TO STORE IT!!!!SO THE OLD WHITE MARBLE BAKERS TABLE that had belonged to MOTHER SPOKE TO ME!”PUT THAT PUNCH BOWL ON TOP OF ME!
IF JULIET APPROVES IT SHALL BE HERS!
Merry Christmas EVERYONE!!
I BEST GET TO CLEANING THAT PUNCH BOWL OUT!!!
XO
What gorgeous china. It’s so great that you keep the traditions alive. We have lots of family traditions too, some that our new to our little family and some that we’ve inherited from the past. It’s so lovely of you to share this. Merry Christmas Juliet.
Thanks, Carol. I find traditions evolve over time, don’t you? I remember Christmas’ of my childhood like they were yesterday. Very happy holiday’s to you and your family! xo
Hi Juliet,
Everything looks so festive and fresh, perfect for Christmas morning! I like those dishes and remember seeing them at other people’s homes during the holidays. So nice you have them as a reminder of your mom.
Sounds like you two have a lovely morning planned, a delicious breakfast, and your walk will be a great way to spend the holiday!
We’re changing things up here and will have dinner outside by the fire pit – chili and corn bread! Super casual but it’s the only way we can have our daughter join us. She lives just down the street and we will spend a few hours outside, opening presents and eating. All masked and super distanced! There’s room by the fire, thank goodness we have that option!
I look forward to seeing more of you in 2021, when things finally normalize. It will be so wonderful and a huge relief for everyone once the vaccines are distributed and we can beat this awful virus.
Merry Christmas Juliet, all my best to you and your handsome husband Jim!
XO Heidi
Heidi … your chili and cornbread dinner around the fire pit sounds lovely. Christmas 2020 is one we’ll definitely remember, right? It does seem there’s light at the end of the tunnel and I’m so happy to welcome the new year. Merry Christmas to you and I look forward to meeting again – in person – in 2021. xo
This table setting looks really cute and cozy!
Loved everything you did for Christmas. You are unbelievably talented. Will look forward to next year, which God willing will be better.
Thank you so much, Mama Ellen. It means so much to me that you read my little blog. 2021 is going to be better … it has to be, right?! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! xoxo
This is so cute! I think we have the same table runner. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Juliet!
Thanks, Danielle. I guess we have good taste! Happy (almost) New Year! xo