Southern Lady Christmas 2014

DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS is indeed a favorite pastime of many Southerners, yours truly included. Though we may not be able to count on a blanket of white across the landscape, we can certainly rely on the spirit of the season to inspire love and joy in our hearts, along with warmth and welcome in our homes. This annual publication is one of our staff ’s favorite issues to plan, and for this installment, we reminisced about favorite holiday happenings from Christmases past. Since we range in age from early 20s to 60-something, the memories were quite varied and included putting bubble lights and silver tinsel icicles on the tree and leaving carrots for Santa’s reindeer on Christmas Eve. You’ll find a celebration of Christmas through the decades in our table-settings…

Keep It Simple Even brown craft paper takes on an elegant look when wrapped with pretty ribbon and stems of red berries. Or stack several boxes, and tie together with ribbon and a sprig of greenery. Retro Charm Add a dash of Christmas past with card-stock tags and rubber stamps featuring old-fashioned motifs, like a rotary phone or a typewriter. Number stamps are fun also; assign each family member a digit, and address accordingly. Layers of Love To fashion this fancy package, wrap the box with a strip of wide burlap ribbon, and wind with peppermint-hued twine. Finish with a paper doily cone of evergreen sprigs and a tag clipped with a tiny clothespin.…

By Request A variation of this delicious cranberry linzer cookie appeared on the cover of the very first Holidays issue, and it remains one of our most complimented treats. Not only is the flavor perfect for the holidays, but sparkling sugar adds a snowy finish. CHAI TEA MIX Makes about 16 cups mix ¹⁄2 (2-pound) box nonfat dry milk 1 (13-ounce) jar malted milk powder 1 (3-ounce) jar unsweetened ice tea mix 6 cups sugar 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon ground ginger 1 tablespoon ground cardamom 1 tablespoon ground cloves 1. In a large bowl, combine dry milk, malted milk powder, ice tea mix, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves, whisking to combine well. 2. To prepare, combine 1 cup boiling water with 2 heaping tablespoons tea mix. CRANBERRY LINZER COOKIES Makes about 3½ dozen 2 cups unsalted butter, softened 1¹⁄2 cups sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon…

Subtle Grandeur Twin brass candelabra and a couple of flower-filled vases underscore the luxurious tone of the setting while still maintaining its tasteful style. Pair goldrimmed La Scala china with solid green chargers, and echo the verdant hues of the floral arrangements with lacy Versailles crystal. Finish the look with silver goblets and lace-trimmed napkins. Sparkling Accents Bring together beautiful components to create an overall elegance reflective of this grand decade. Comprised of 15 different designs, the exquisite Francis I silverware by Reed & Barton offers the perfect accent to accomplish this, as do the silver service and crystal decanters.…

Metallic Touches Bring a bit of radiance to the table with a shimmering tablecloth, gold-plated flatware, and gilded glasses. Gold-tipped Moravian star ornaments add a dash of dazzle, while bleached pinecones and a deer figurine offer a nod to nature. Pretty in Pastel From the whimsical faux fir from Treetopia to the medley of Castle Garden and Caribbee china by Lenox to the floral arrangement composed of roses and tulips, pink is the name of the game. A mix of metallic ornaments dots the tree, while a gold origami star serves as the sparkly topper.…

Spruced-Up Entry The seasonal celebration begins at the front entrance where a beribboned wreath of mixed greenery greets all who enter. Twin topiaries flanking the door are dressed up with red apples in a nest of spruce boughs, and holiday accents show up in the bench pillow and the simple bow and jingle bells tied to the handle. Welcome Home Fluff up the foyer by draping swags of fresh greenery woven with red ribbon down the stairway railing. Bring more seasonal cheer with a poinsettia nestled in a planter and a pretty wrapped gift. Yuletide Dining A cozy dining room, warmed by a welcoming fire, is the perfect place to host a family Christmas meal. The mantel is adorned with feathery cedar boughs, punctuated with red apples and cranberry-hued ribbon. Holiday Accents Even the kitchen bears seasonal…