Monday, December 27, 2010

A Boxing Day Dinner

As the family grows, so do their commitments, and it becomes more and more difficult each year to pack visits with everyone into the day-and-a-half that comprises the Christmas holiday.  So this year, in an effort to make things more enjoyable and relaxed, I opted to celebrate the day after Christmas with a Boxing Day dinner.  It was a huge success!  Twelve were in attendance and everyone enjoyed the event.  I served my traditional buffet roast beef dinner at a table bedecked with live greens, snowflake candles, Santa, and apothecary jars full of Christmas candy that delighted guests both young and old, all of whom had to have a sample (or two).  The young ones were allowed to reach into the jars at evening's end and select some candy to fill a bag and take home with them.  In addition, each guest was given a small house-shaped box with caramels inside that I'd used as place cards.  The name was on the front of the tag, and the explanation of Boxing Day was on the reverse, as follows:


Boxing Day, also known as the Feast of St. Stephen (after the first Christian martyr), is celebrated in the U.K. on December 26th.   It originated in England in the middle of the nineteenth century under Queen Victoria as a holiday for members of the merchant class to give boxes containing food and fruit, clothing, and/or money to trades people and servants. The gifts were an expression of gratitude similar to the bonuses many employers offer their employees today. These gifts, usually given in boxes, gave the holiday its name, "Boxing Day". Today, Boxing Day is a time for family and friends to gather with lots of food and fun. 

Apothecary jars full of candy delighted the children (and young at heart) at the table.
Place setting with place card box.
Each guest had his or her own bottle of water.  I liked this extra addition of green.
Apothecary jars contained M&Ms, bell-shaped gumdrops, mini Hershey bars, Kisses, peanut butter cups, and Twizzlers all in red and green.
The mantle in the dining room above the Franklin Stove glowed with soft candlelight.
The frosted trees at either end, gave the table a Northwoods look.


Santa oversaw the event and was pleased.



This is linked to Tablescape Tuesday and Seasonal Sundays.





12 comments:

Lyndsay Wells said...

How absolutely wonderful! We celebrate Boxing Day in Canada too and often hold open houses. I love that you used it as a chance to get family together and thought the little box idea was awesome.

I am also totally stealing your idea of having little pelligrino bottles on the table!! How fabulous is that?

xoxo

Denise said...

This is a great post. Glad for the education concerning Boxing Day. I can see how it was fun to have the little jars of candy down the table for your guests - young and old. Like the addition of the Pelligrino waters at each place. They added height as well as more green.
Happy New Year.

Anita Diaz said...

What a beautiful table!! I love the greenery and the little bottles of water! I love the plates also. Beautiful, festive table!!

Prior said...

I love your plates! Just smitten with it all! Lezlee

Jenny H. said...

Great idea for getting the family together in a way that solves the great scheduling problem of the Christmas season. Your candy jars are so cute, great idea for young and old alike.

Hope you enjoy a wonderful 2011!

Donnie said...

What a pretty table. Your plates are lovely. Happy New Year.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

What a fun solution to the problem of trying to get everywhere on one day! Love all your "boxing day" festivities. A beautiful table. Happy New Year.

Entertaining Women said...

The Boxing Day Celebration is a great idea! Your table is darling, and the candy filled apothecaries are such a great idea. Thank you for sharing your charming design. Happy New Year! Cherry Kay

Tess said...

This table is so charming...love the dishes and those greens on the table make it very "holiday" My husband is from England but we don't do anything for Boxing Day...maybe we should start something, like your tradition.

Thanks for sharing!

Lynn said...

Very pretty, I love your dishes! Happy New Year:@)

Marlis said...

Love the dishes. what a great idea to bring everyone together on the 2nd day of Christmas!

Shannon said...

I love your post along with the education of boxing day. I too host a party on that day and will share the story with my guest next season. Happy New Year!

Shannon

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