Southern Lady November - December Christmas Very Special Holiday 2017

We Southerners hold our traditions close to our hearts, and never more so than at Christmastime. As our Southern Lady team put together this special holiday issue, with page after page of familiar Yuletide motifs, sweet temptations, tablescapes inspired by classic carols, and more, it kindled a sense of nostalgia for the Christmas customs that each one of us has come to cherish. For assistant editor Elizabeth Bonner Czapski, travel is the common thread that ties together her family’s holiday festivities, such as an annual father-daughter New York getaway followed by trips to Michigan and Texas to share in a regional mix of merrymaking with her and her husband’s kith and kin. Our lead stylist, Tracey Runnion, and her family venture to the local farmers’ market every year to find…

sparkle & shine Instead of discarding the remains of your ribbon creations, gather miscellaneous clippings and tie them together for a finish that’s as unique as a snowflake. Embossed white paper makes the perfect backdrop for this festive display of lovely leftovers. past meets present Repurpose a cherished collection of holiday greeting cards by fastening them to this year’s gifts. Wrap a piece of solid-color ribbon around a wrapped package, and use transparent tape to keep both ends in place on top. Affix double-sided tape to the back of the Christmas card and gently press it onto the center of the gift, conveniently hiding the ribbon’s seams. mix & match Layer elegant accents in shades of turquoise and brown to create a sophisticated scheme. After wrapping each gift with paper in a simple print, cut…

Chocolate Truffles MAKES 36 3 (4-ounce) bars semisweet chocolate, chopped ¾ cup bittersweet chocolate morsels 6 tablespoons heavy whipping cream 2 tablespoons seedless raspberry jam, room temperature 1 tablespoon orange liqueur* ½ teaspoon coconut extract 1 (16-ounce) package chocolate-flavored candy coating ¼ cup freeze-dried raspberries, crushed ¼ cup roasted salted pistachios, finely chopped ¼ cup sweetened flaked coconut 1. In a microwave-safe medium bowl, microwave chopped chocolate, chocolate morsels, and cream on high in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until chocolate is melted and smooth (1½ to 2 minutes total). Divide chocolate mixture among 3 small bowls. 2. To first bowl, stir raspberry jam into warm chocolate mixture. To second bowl, stir orange liqueur into warm chocolate mixture. To third bowl, stir coconut extract into warm chocolate mixture. Cover each bowl, and refrigerate until firm but not solid, 1 to 2 hours. 3. Line…

natural wonder For a charming holiday theme that will carry you from Thanksgiving through the chilliest days of winter, fashion a tableau around a sylvan motif and an earthy palette. Spode’s classic Woodland pattern echoes the splendor of a forest setting filled with feathered and furry friends at every turn. A verdant charger and a vintage Majolica maple leaf accent plate set the backdrop for these rustic scenes. Enhance the nature-inspired elements with a richly burnished wooden table—free of placemats and tablecloths—and antler-handle utensils. Complete the setting with silver napkin rings, pewter goblets, and pewter-footed stemware to capture the gleam of flickering candlelight. Hurrah for the fun! bountiful scene Cherished heirlooms—from the antique barley-twist candlesticks to the vintage embroidered linen napkins—make this display special as they seamlessly blend with the newer pieces. Acorns…

gifts of the magi Borrow from a tale of the season’s wisest men, and set a table with an imaginative scheme rooted in Oriental splendor. Strands of evergreen mixed with olive branches evoke the air of the East, spilling forth from a chandelier while also serving as a verdant base along the center of the table. King and camel figurines from a porcelain nativity scene rest amid the greenery, gilded ornaments, and glowing candles. Coordinating arrangements feature Star of Bethlehem bulbs along with lilies and white anemones. Lovely glass icicle ornaments hung from bows of golden ribbon dress the backs of the chairs. floral finery Coalport Indian Tree china echoes the fresh blossoms around the room with a distinctive motif that depicts the natural beauty of the Magi’s native land. A contemporary Christmas…

classic carol With origins in early 19th-century Germany, “O Tannenbaum” was written in appreciation of the fir tree’s lasting green foliage, a symbol of steadfastness. At this table, a grand tree stands nearby as the anchor and muse of the setting over which it presides. Assorted ornaments in shades from lime to turquoise mix with gleaming golden accents. A crisp white tablecloth with subtle texture calls to mind a blanket of freshly fallen snow; a simple centerpiece made from pine boughs mingles with brass candlesticks in varying shapes and sizes. Ivory tapers and frosted pinecones blend both the refined and natural qualities inherent in the scene. natural splendor Sophisticated chargers antique gold shine beneath dinner plates in Narumi’s Shasta Pine pattern, which depicts the beloved branches described in the joyful German ode.…