Eleven Days to CHRISTMAS

Lists, Lists and MORE LISTS.
List 1 THE MENU What's on the menu?
In Sydney it is somewhat governed by the weather as well as family. It has been unusual weather in Sydney to put it mildly. No more time to ponder, it'll be great weather and I'm going for Seafood. It's all that more enjoyable if you plan well in advance. I've looked up the opening times of the Sydney Fish Market from December 17th to January 2nd  and there are many options. I found this article which is also worth reading about buying seafood at Christmas. Decide what you and your guests enjoy. Does anybody have any allergies? Worthwhile checking this before you start. How many courses will be enjoyable? Time for a coffee to write down some initial ideas for the menu, Cocktails? Oysters? Prawns? Smoked Salmon? Moreton Bay Bugs? Whole Fish? Lobster? Pudding? Christmas Cake? Gingerbread? Chocolates? Champagne? Wine? Liqueurs? Coffee?

Harrods A Celebration of Christmas

Some of Harrods Christmas items are available from David Jones stores, but there are some great patisserie stores which sell delicious Christmas fare. My favourites are Sweet Infinity in the Strand Arcade for Christmas puddings and mince tarts, Becasse also for puddings in the city and Jean Marc Patisserie at Pyrmont for Christmas cakes, mince pies and gingerbread men.

Enjoy Lighting Votive Candles

Enjoy Lighting Silver Candles

Waterford 2011 Bell

Wedgwood Dolphins

   

List 2 The Table

I love to decorate the table and it's a joy to create your own "masterpiece" that will be special on this important festive day. If it's seafood, then choose a dinner set that will allow the seafood to be "showcased" when you serve this to your guests. White always works and then the colours of the seafood are the feature. For those of you to love fine dining, Wedgwood has some great designs including the Vera Wang ranges. I have chosen to layer the table with a pale blue table cloth below a white linen and lace edged tablecloth and napkins to complement a white dinner set delicately decorated with pale blue shells and dolphins. This will look great with white linen napkins, silver cutlery, fine Stuart Glassware and silver and white Christmas Bon Bons. Ironing is not at the top of my favourite things to do but if nobody else is available to do it for you, linens need to be pressed at least the day before. The flowers will need to be simple and maybe some christmas decorations with a green sprig and silver baubles to decorate the Christmas pudding. If it is going to be hot, then maybe consider some faux flowers from Florabelle Before the guests arrive, I like to layer each setting on the table so that it is beautiful with and without the festive food. To complete the ambience, you'll need a selection of a variety of Christmas background music and of course Enjoy Lighting Candles in different sizes place around the entertaining space. If I can get this all done before I go to bed on Christmas Eve, then Christmas day will be much easier. Waterford have a gorgeous dinner bell to call everyone to the table when you are ready to sit down to your Christmas lunch.                                

Vera Wang Grosgrain Inspired by the subtle romantic touches that renowned New York designer Vera Wang uses to trim her world-famous bridal gowns, the Grosgrain Collection showcases beautiful fine bone china characterized by elegant and graceful design details. This 5-Piece Place Setting includes everything needed for one guest's full dinner service; three beautiful fine china plates and a cup with saucer; all decorated with lustrous platinum border trims reminiscent of delicate needle lace; bringing sophistication and sensual elegance to any dining occasion.

List 3 Decorating the Tree

I made a list of  everything that I would need before I started this and a colour scheme was the first decision that I had to make. I love RED and this will always be part of any Christmas decor, but you can only achieve this as a feature colour if  you have a separate dining room or if you clearly define the areas within an open space. I like to create a colour story for the tree and for me it's RED with Gold. You might want to choose silver and white or go for multi coloured bright colours? Once you've assembled the tree and it's placed in the best vantage place in the room, start with placing the small fairy lights towards the back of the branches so as to allow for the decorations to be hung on the end of the branches. Some people like clear or white lights but I've gone all out with red lights. Drape the Gold beading before starting your arrangement of the baubles. A box of gold baubles in all shapes and sizes is a good basic decoration to start with ad then spot the red decorations around the baubles. I have chosen a set of Red Santas in different sizes, a collection of red stars and a variety of Harrods Christmas Bears. Every year I buy a special ornament for the tree to add to the collection. My favourite purchases include a gorgeous tree skirt which adds that finishing touch to the tree and individual stockings from Harrods. The Topper is a gold star. Last night I watched a programme on Foxtel with Sarah Richardson on her decorating secrets for Christmas and it was inspirational. You don't have to copy her ideas, but it certainly sparked my creativity.
The menu is decided. The tree is decorated and I can envisage the table. Three things crossed off the list. The Harrods Christmas Organiser is on my wish list. It will look great on the entrance table.

Harrods Christmas Organiser

Enjoy! GJB Tweet