Step right up and prepare to be transported to a world of winter wonder! The magic of the season is here, and what better way to celebrate than by bringing the enchanting spirit of The Polar Express right to your dining table? This year, my holiday tablescape is all about that iconic journey to the North Pole, complete with snow, shimmering lights, and of course, a very special train.
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To set the foundation for this snowy adventure, I started with snow-themed faux fur throws. It instantly creates the illusion of a frosted landscape, perfect for a midnight ride.
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The centerpiece is truly the star: a magnificent red train filled with cheerful elves and Santa himself! This detail instantly brings a touch of whimsy and the spirit of Santa's workshop to the setting.
To build the North Pole atmosphere, I incorporated:
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Whimsical polar bears: What's a trip to the icy North without these majestic creatures? A few polar bears sprinkled across the snowscape complete the wild, beautiful picture.
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Starting with cedar-lined evergreen snow covered placemats brings a wonderful, natural woodland touch and contrasts beautifully with the bright red elements.
A vibrant red charger plate is stacked on top, providing the perfect pop of holiday color.
The main course is served on a "Peppermint Square "red & white Striped scalloped dinner plate. For the salad course, I couldn't resist the adorable charm of a darling bear salad plate by Pfaltzgraff. It adds a sweet, playful touch that ties in with the polar bears on the table.
This photo captures the "Golden Ticket" needed for the train ride. Also shown is the Dear Santa, I believe glass. Do you believe?
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Festive Napkins: Adding luxurious texture, two napkins sit snugly in a festive beaded napkin ring. The stack includes a solid red damask napkin layered with a red, green, and gold frilly napkin for an extra festive touch. To top it all off, a candy cane is tucked in, offering a hint of peppermint sweetness!
Large white crystal snowflakes hung gracefully from the chandelier, these dazzling pieces add a beautiful vertical dimension, sparkling like freshly falling snow above the entire scene.
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A perfect tablescape isn't just about the centerpiece—it's about creating a warm and memorable experience for each guest. My place settings echo the rich colors and textures of the winter season. You can't help but smile when looking at these darling elves sitting in the train cars. Of course Santa is also included ready to greet everyone. Ho Ho Ho!
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The Finishing Touch: A Mug and the First Gift
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A cute bear mug mix awaits at each setting, perfect for serving that steaming, rich hot cocoa. Imagine sipping on a mug of chocolate goodness while the 'train' sits before you, the lantern lights flickering—it’s pure holiday bliss! Enjoy this clip below about the hot chocolate.
But the most important detail, the one that holds the true magic of Christmas, sits right alongside the plate stack: the silver bell. This beautiful, sweet-sounding crotal bell, presented as the First Gift of Christmas in a miniature red pouch, reminds every guest of the film's heartwarming message.
If you truly believe in Santa Claus and the Christmas spirit, you will hear its distinct, lovely ring. Ultimately, this tablescape is a reminder that the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart. It's a sentimental takeaway that transforms the tablescape and meal into a cherished, magical memory.
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Happy Holidays to you. I hope my Polar Express table brings joy and magic to all of you this holiday season
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Good morning Linda, What a festive table! I love all the cute bears on your plates, mugs and polar bears flanking the end of your table. Your Polar Express train makes such an adorable centerpiece, filled with elves and Santa. Love your faux fur table runner to mimic a snowy landscape. So many wonderful details from the tickets, lanterns, snowflakes from your chandy and even a Polar Express curtain hanging across your door! As always, it’s a treat to hop with you and join you at the table. Happy Tuesday❄️🚂🐻❄️
ReplyDeleteOh, this is just delightful! The table covering just sets the mood for a snowy ride to Santa's village (it is actually snowing hard here today). The little details of the bells, ticket and the large polar bears are very clever and certainly set the mood. I hope you (and Paul) have a wonderful holiday month filled with happiness and joy!
ReplyDeleteLinda, you are the queen of themed tablescapes. You carried this theme out perfectly from the darling train with elves to the plate stack to the polar bears! The red striped scalloped plates are lovely with the bear salad plates and cute mugs for hot cocoa.The chandelier adds the finishing touch to a fun and festive table! Wishing you a season of Joy!
ReplyDeleteLinda, I love the polar express table you decorated! What a cute theme and I love the train the elves. Each place setting is adorable and I love the bear hot chocolate mugs. Wishing you a happy December and enjoy this holiday season.
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming theme for a table, you certainly did yourself proud! That train is just darling (We both have train table themes this year). I love those salad plates. I keep a pretty close eye on what Pfaltzgraff has to offer and I haven't seen those. Paired with those darling mugs, the whole scene is just precious.
ReplyDeleteLinda, you have created a magical polar express wonderland and I love your attention to detail--the polar bears and mugs, chandy snowflakes and even the chair covers are so fun! Merry Christmas to you!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your tablescape, Linda. It made me smile and then laugh out loud. The polar bears are just wonderful. The polar express train was perfect for this themed table setting and all the wonderful touches from the book were present to enjoy. I gave silver bells to my children the year the book was published and they had them for many years. Love the bear salad plates. The snowflakes falling from the chandelier sets the scene for this lovely story. Wishing you and your family a joyous Christmas season.
ReplyDeleteLynne, Thrifting Wonderland
Linda this is so appropriate for me as the Captain and I just watched "The Polar Express" last night. It never ceases to make me smile as does your tablescape. Your attention to detail is spot on as always and the elves make me happy to see their excited faces. All that is missing is the complete sound track from the movie. Right now I want that cup of hot chocolate as I am still in my jammies. Merry Christmas to you and yours...I believe.
ReplyDeleteLinda, what a fun, snow topped table! Love the train running down the center and those darling polar bears. All the festive touches with the plate stack and the cute polar bear mugs definitely take me to one of my favorite Christmas books, The Polar Express. Merry, Merry! I look forward to more festive decor in your home.
ReplyDeleteThis is adorable and the covered chairs create great mountains in the background...fun and I think I pinned 6 photos at least. ! sandi
ReplyDeleteOh, how beautiful and festive! Now, I want to go watch the movie! It's one of our family's favorites. Thank you for sharing, sweet friend. God bless you this Christmas season!🎄❄⛄
ReplyDeleteGorgeous
ReplyDeleteOh Linda, this table is absolutely beautiful! My children loved the Polar Express when they were little. I always cry at the end when he talks about the bell. Santa was such a magical part of childhood. The train centerpiece on your table is precious as well as those darling polar bears. Your plate stack is so pretty, and the fur throws make a perfect foundation with their resemblance to snow. Your chandelier looks magical adorned with snowflakes. May you have a blessed and joyful Christmas season.
ReplyDeleteMagic for sure...Love the train and the bears...Festive as always, Linda..
ReplyDeleteLinda, your table is absolutely beautiful! I posted an earlier comment, but I don't think that it went through. My children loved the Polar Express when they were little. I always cry at the end when he talks about the bell. Your train centerpiece is precious as well as those darling polar bears. Your chandelier looks magical adorned with the snowflakes. May you have a blessed and happy Christmas season! Shannon@Belle Bleu Interiors
ReplyDeleteLinda, I LOVE this tablescape and the entire atmosphere you've created here! Every little detail - the snowy table covers, the polar bears and coordinating plate stacks, the street lamps, the golden ticket, the silver bell and the train! What a magnificent find that sparked all the creativity! The snowflakes hanging from above are magical. We are having snow today - not much accumulation, but enough excitement that J face-timed me early this morning with, "Guess what Mimi?! You're never going to believe it! It's snowing!" We have a polar express train a couple hours away here in WV, but it sells out a year in advance. I cannot wait until we can take our turn on the Polar Express. Having this tablescape and the movie makes me want some hot chocolate right now! Those polar bear mugs are super cute.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for always delivering such clever and carefully executed themes in these blog hops, Linda. I thought perhaps you would use the candy train you made with your great grands, but this is over the top great! Merry December!
I feel like I am a little girl looking through the Christmas windows at Macy’s! You really know how to make a table so festive. I always look forward to your posts.
ReplyDeleteMerry December, my friend!
Oh so fun is this Polar Express tablescape, Linda! I want to come and sit and enjoy the train and a cup of hot cocoa from that cute mug. Your furry throw makes the perfect table covering, and the dish stack, and the train and all the accessories are so creative. I can picture you scurrying around like a little elf while having a blast in setting this table. The hanging snowflakes from the chandelier just make me smile. Happy December, Lovely Linda ❤️
ReplyDeleteLinda, your tables always look like they just popped out of a NYC department store window...especially during the holidays. So festive and fun!! xo
ReplyDeleteLinda, I feel like I right in the movie, The Polar Express..Your table is so charming and playful and certainly conveys the story. All of the elements are so detailed. From the train, Santa, bears, snow, flickering lamps and bells. I adore your plates that look so much like peppermint candy canes. No doubt it was a fun table to put together (and, of course, a lot of work), but the results are so delightful and comical. I hope you and your entire Polar Express crew have a wonderful Christmas holiday.
ReplyDeleteLinda, this is fantastic! I could've used the cedar placemats for my tablescape! LOVE them! I also love the train with the elves. The littles in your family will absolutely love this! And of course what Polar Express themed table would be complete without polar bears and pretty snowflakes!?!? Every single detail is perfect, from the lamps, to the bells, to the napkins with candy canes. Festive and whimsical table as always. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a sweet table, Linda. You really rocked the theme -- it's simply magical and so much fun!
ReplyDeleteThis is really adorable. We took our little grandson on his first Polar Express Train ride this year. He loved the train so much. Your table is magical. Hugs. Kris
ReplyDeleteHow wonderfully festive! I especially love all the polar bear imagery!
ReplyDeleteLinda, what a fabulous find the train was and what a magical table it has sparked! I love Santa and the elves and the polar bears on the table, mugs, and salad plates. The plates stack is beautiful (love those frosted placemats) and the chandy is stunning. The silver bell as the first gift of Christmas is so special and what a thoughtful gift for your guests. I think anyone would be honored to have a seat at your beautiful table! It was a pleasure hopping with you and wishing you and your family a joyous holiday season!
ReplyDeleteVery cute, you had fun, love all your snow flakes and the polar bears are adorable! Now lets hope for a real white Christmas, and I don't mean fog!
ReplyDeleteWow, it looks absolutey lovely! I'm so impressed in how you put this together!
ReplyDeleteHello Linda,
ReplyDeleteThis is certainly a tablescape filled with Christmas spirit. The splashes of red add a definitely festival air. However, the flatware is incorrectly laid....the spoon and fork should either be closest to the plate or above the plate.
Thank you for your kind comment about my festive table. As for the proper placement of flatware, mine is indeed correct. The desert utensils are set above the plate.
DeleteLinda! you have recreated our trip on the Polar Express perfectly!! Right down to the ticket and the bell. This is such a sweet table, as usual you have captured all the wonderful details!! The snowy table and polar bears are fabulous. Your train and elves magnificently depict the childlike wonder in all of us! Love it all!! I hope you and your family have a very blessed and merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year. ❤️🎄🚂
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun theme, Linda! I love the Polar Express! The snowy table and chairs beautifully set off that fabulous train, and all your place settings. LOVE LOVE LOVE the Round Trip Tickets, and the gorgeous snowflakes hanging from the chandelier tops the whole thing off. Really lovely and so much fun! Thanks for this – it’s always great to share a hop with you! Hope you have a wonderful holiday!
ReplyDeleteLinda, I don't know what happened to my previous comment, but second time's the charm 😊. I loved your snowy scene and the adorable polar bears. I imagine this is just what the North Pole looks like! The snow covered cedar placemats are a wonderful base for your plates. I liked the red and white theme with only a hint of green --very cheery! The two trains with their elf passengers make a dramatic centerpiece. (I had shared your table with my husband the train fanatic who sent a thumbs up.) Happy Holidays
ReplyDeleteOh my Linda! Your table brings a huge smile to my face! It's like seeing Christmas through a child's eyes again. The Polar Express is a favourite and you have really brought it to life! LOVE your place settings. The whimsical polar bear plates are adorable, and the train ticket is such a cute detail! The entire table really evokes the feeling of a taking a train ride through the North Pole! Happy Holidays!
ReplyDelete