Noel a la Maison LeJeune ~ Chapter Three

"Come" they told me

pa rum pum pum pum

A new born King to see

pa rum pum pum pum

Our finest gifts we bring

pa rum pum pum pum

To lay before the King

par rum pum pum pum

rum pum pum pum...rum pum pum pum

So, to honor Him

pa rum pum pum pum

When we come.

In all of my 40 years, I've never owned a Nativity scene of my own...until now.

When I was out shopping for a birthday gift the other day, I entered a local hometown store and my heart just dropped when I saw this beautiful painted tin metal Nativity scene.

It was the perfect colors for my dining room and I just knew it had to come home with me.

I had the perfect place to put it...

I arranged the pieces atop of my dining room table.

I started out with a gold crushed velvet throw. Then I added some plastic containers (various sizes) underneath the velvet throw to give some of the pieces different heights.

Once I situated the Nativity scene just how I liked it, I added some floral Spanish moss on top of the velvet throw.

Then I tucked in several small battery powered flickering tea lights beneath the Spanish moss. They give a glorious glow in the evening. I keep them on 24/7, they've been burning for about two weeks now!

Then I set two place settings, one at each end of the table.

One for me and one for The Man.

Instead of using my fine china (because "we" don't eat off of fine china), I used my everyday dishes and dressed them up a bit with gold utensils and chargers. 

I had a little fun with the drinking glasses below.

I added some bronze plastic "ice" to the wine glass...

And I added some clear plastic "ice" to the water glass...

This "ice" can be found at Hobby Lobby in the bridal department. They come in many colors and are fabulous to use for parties too. You can sprinkle them anywhere for a little sparkle and reuse them over and over!

Instead of using a cloth napkin, I rolled a vintage crochet doily and placed it in the napkin ring.

As for the dishes...I kept it simple.

To add interest, I added a simple handmade coffee filter rose (from Julia), a tassel and a bronze glittered snowflake in the bowl.

A glittered sprig of gold on the side balanced the setting.

To carry the gold, bronze and green theme throughout the dining room, I decorated a small tree and placed it in the corner.

To add the height I needed in the corner of the room, I placed the tree on a small round table and topped the tree off with feathers.

The tree is decorated in our "normal" dining room colors...

green ribbons and balls, bronze balls and snowflakes and gold glittered grape picks.

At the base of the little table, I placed a tin basket full of pinecones that I picked and spray painted.

I set an old Santa atop of a book on the floor to hide the tree wires ;)

On the opposite wall, the china hutch is decorated with the same colors.

I added a gold angel (she's a tree topper) in the center, looking down on the Nativity set...

She gives such devotion to our dear Baby Jesus :)))

I also added a festive detail to each of the eight chairs at the dining table.

It's something I love to do for each occasion we have.

It's so easy and makes a huge impact...

With some Christmas ribbon, I just tied a simple knot and let the "tails" hang. I inserted a "pick" of gold glittery grapes in the center of the knot. 

I kept the buffet area simple as I wanted to leave my dining room table as the focal point of the room...

I didn't add much to my "everyday" decor except the lighted garland full of picks, a little golden angel and a Santa book...

The whole room just came together perfectly...

Just as I imagined it would when I walked in the store that day and saw the beautiful Nativity set for the first time...I love it and I'm sooooo happy!

My new Nativity scene is Merry Christmas to me! from me! ;)

This just may be my favorite "Christmas" room of the house...especially in the morning light :)

Let me not forget to mention the beautiful ribbon tassel that Chantal made me for my birthday. It's hanging in the middle of the curtains. It's so perfect there :)

Chapter Four is coming up next...

Please stay tuned for a little Black & Gold Christmas coming up soon!!! It's Saintsational!!!!

:)))