Coastal New England Christmas: Help Me Set the Perfect Holiday Table

 

This past Fourth of July, while celebrating my daughter-in-law’s birthday, our family’s conversation turned to memorable holiday meals. Last Christmas, I hosted a Cajun-themed dinner with gumbo, jambalaya, and dirty rice—a hit! This year, I’m dreaming of a New England Christmas with clam chowder or lobster bisque, crabcakes, roasted vegetables, and my son’s suggestion of lobster macaroni and cheese. It’s a rich menu, and now I need your help to set the perfect table to match this coastal-inspired feast.

I’m torn about which dishes to use from my collection: the wintry “Tranquil Trails” by Pfaltzgraff, the elegant “Balsam Lane” by Lenox, the bold Williams-Sonoma crab plates, the festive “Yuletide” by Rosina Queen, or the nostalgic Johnson Brothers “Friendly Village,” the latter two inherited from my mother. I’m also unsure about the centerpiece and color scheme—should I stick with classic red and green, go for icy blues, or embrace sea tones? Your ideas will help me create a memorable coastal New England Christmas table, so please share your thoughts!

 Here are the contenders for my table setting, each with a unique vibe:“Yuletide” by Rosina Queen: I inherited these from my mother. She used them every Christmas, so they’re special. These dishes feature classic Christmas motifs with the holly and berries, so are perfect for a traditional holiday feel, but what coastal elements would work with these as part of a centerpiece? 

“Tranquil Trails” by Pfaltzgraff: With the earthy, nature-inspired designs, these dishes evoke a coastal forest in soft sea tones like greens and blues, ideal for a subtle seaside look, but are the colors too nontraditional for a traditionalist like me? “Balsam Lane” by Lenox: Elegant and wintry, this pattern’s delicate motifs suit icy blues and whites, creating a refined, frosty New England harbor aesthetic, but are they too blah for the excitement of Christmas?Williams-Sonoma Crab Plates: this playful and bold plates are really coming in from out of left field, these plates scream coastal charm and complement the crabcake menu, but they are such a non-traditional choice and would probably make for a stand out table, but I can’t imagine what else I would pair with them. 

 Johnson Brothers “Friendly Village”: These inherited dishes were favorites of my mother's. She had service for 12, the wine glasses, at all of the complete pieces. They offer cozy, rustic New England village scenes, perfect for a warm, traditional holiday table with a nod to the coast, but have I strayed too far off the road of intent?Speaking of Johnson Brothers, what about their “Night Before Christmas” collection?

 At this point, I’m leaning toward “Balsam Lane” with icy blues and a driftwood centerpiece for elegance, but the crab plates with a nautical rope accent are tempting for fun. What do you think? Which dishes, colors, and centerpiece would you choose for a New England Christmas? I’m planning early because, believe it or not, August is already here, and Christmas will be too! Share your ideas below to help me create a festive, coastal-inspired table.

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