I like plaid. Maybe it's my Scottish ancestry on both sides, or the current lumberjack hipster phase, but a little plaid seems to make everything a bit merrier.
For my Christmas Table I added a plaid tablecloth from HomeGoods, and plaid candle from Target for a tartan feel to make my ancestors proud.
I created an easy centerpiece with a candle, a jar of white beans, and a boxwood wreath I already had (also from Target). Then-- because who doesn't love a bit of greenery, I added some cut boxwood from my yard with the place settings.
I created the wood slice place settings by cutting up some birch logs that I originally purchased from Michaels for around $20. Yeah, I know that's weird that lumber has now become a craft product. Even stranger is that it is so popular that I can no longer find any more birch logs at Michaels or online--everyone is probably out making their own wood slice name tags (or ornaments). If you want to make your own I'd recommend looking on Amazon for some birch logs or your backyard if you live on some woodsy acreage.
The slices were cut about 1/4" thick and then painted with chalkboard paint. I then used a chalk marker to write the names onto the wood slice. If you want to reuse the labels and erase the chalk after one use, you have to "season" the surface beforehand so the writing isn't etched permanently into the surface. To season the surface you rub a piece of chalk (laid longways) up or down over the surface to cover it with a fine coat of chalk. Then lightly dry rub the surface clean (or use a slightly damp cloth) before you write on it.
This picture shows an example of the name tag that I seasoned beforehand. I actually liked it better without the chalky background so I didn't season the other name tags. These name tags are also going to double as ornaments/gift tags so it was fine with me if the name was permanently affixed.
Now I'm off to enjoy the Hallmark Channel's Christmas movies :) May your days be merry & plaid.
Anne with an E