{"id":889957,"date":"2025-12-03T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=889957"},"modified":"2025-12-03T11:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T08:00:00","slug":"23-ideas-for-setting-a-stunning-holiday-table-using-vintage-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=889957","title":{"rendered":"23 Ideas for Setting a Stunning Holiday Table Using Vintage Finds"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Runway<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

23 Ideas for Setting a Stunning Holiday Table Using Vintage Finds<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
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By <\/span>Laird Borrelli-Persson<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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\"A<\/span><\/div>\n
Photographed by Irving Penn<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Truth be told, I\u2019m useless in the kitchen\u2014boiling water for tea and making toast is about as advanced as I get. What gets me excited is the kitchen-adjacent art of table setting; it allows me to get creative with place settings while making use of some of my many vintage finds, which range from monogrammed linen napkins (most not with my initials) to the cornhusk dolls I like to add to our Thanksgiving table. Now that they are back in the attic, it\u2019s time to start dreaming about a holiday table, from centerpieces to name cards. The results of my dream shopping on eBay are below. Some of these suggestions are tried and tested, others are on my wish list. Happy tablescaping.<\/p>\n

Seasonal Centerpieces<\/strong><\/h2>\n

An effective and easy way to make a good first impression is with a conversation-starting centerpiece. I remove them when the food is served and replace them after the table is cleared, as a kind of souvenir of a shared meal.<\/p>\n

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\"Image<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Expertic<\/p>\n

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vintage Erzgebirge angel choir carousel<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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$104<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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Rising heat from the candles makes these carousels spin. I have several medium-sized ones; they can be used at either end of the table, or alternatively one acts as centerpiece and the other can be placed on the sideboard and keep turning during the meal. In the past, I\u2019ve put mini candle-less versions on the center of each plate as a favor.<\/p>\n

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\"Image<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Lexim<\/p>\n

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vintage brass angel candleholders<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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$15<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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Multiples make for good centerpieces. My suggestion would be to nestle these ladies among Christmas greens and ribbons running down the center of the table.<\/p>\n

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Swedish straw G\u00e4vle goat<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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$27<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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When these traditional Christmas critters have done their duty on the table, they make good guardians of an unlit fireplace.<\/p>\n

Table Linens<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Dare to be creative with your table linens: Almost any kind of textile can be repurposed as a table cloth.<\/p>\n

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\"Image<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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1930\u2019s baskets quilt top<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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$265<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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Taking a page from Gloria Vanderbilt, who used crazy quilts as curtains and upholstery, I\u2019m proposing a quilt top as a table cloth. This one is unfinished so it has less bulk and a more even surface. It would look marvelous with red plates set on it.<\/p>\n

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\"Image<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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vintage 62\u201d crochet tablecloth<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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$25<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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The holiday spirit must have skewed my vision, when I look at this crochet tablecloth all I see are snowflakes. Drape it as-is over a white table, or layer it over a colored fabric.<\/p>\n

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\"Image<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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vintage French monogrammed napkins<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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$23<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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You can never go wrong with a linen napkin; they iron beautifully and if you have the patience you can try to find ones with your own initials. I like to secure folded napkins with decorative ribbon. Any excuse to tie a bow . . . .<\/p>\n

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vintage silk ribbon<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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$52<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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Place Settings<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You don\u2019t have to limit your holiday tablescape to red and green or gold and white. I\u2019m a big fan of placing unusual dessert or salad plates on top of the dinner plate\u2014and they don\u2019t have to match.<\/p>\n

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\"Image<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Royal Copenhagen<\/p>\n

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1926 Christmas plate<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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$60<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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\"Image<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Royal Copenhagen<\/p>\n

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ribbed dinner plates<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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$150<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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One year I used our daily blue-and-white plates with Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates on top. My father-in-law had given us each one with our birth year on it, making things personalized.<\/p>\n

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Brownhills Pottery Co.<\/p>\n

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1887 Staffordshire ABC Jack and Jill plate<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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$39<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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Fitz & Floyd<\/p>\n

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vintage \u201cLe Puss\u201d plates<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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$100<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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S\u00e8vres<\/p>\n

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19th century antique porcelain plates<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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$240<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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Capture some of the wonder of the season with vintage ABC children\u2019s plates, or opt for something sassier, like a Christmas cat. Either option could be placed atop this gold-rimmed china.<\/p>\n

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antique hand-painted glasses<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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$33<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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My mother-in-law taught me to add color to a table setting with glassware.<\/p>\n

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Wedgwood<\/p>\n

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Sarah\u2019s Garden plates<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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$99<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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Wedgwood<\/p>\n

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Sarah\u2019s Garden Christmas plates<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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$40<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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Wedgwood<\/p>\n

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Sarah\u2019s Garden holly basket plates<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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$30<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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Some people have a set of holiday-themed china. What I like about this Wedgwood Sarah\u2019s Garden set is that it feels wintery rather than specifically Christmas-y and so can be used for more than one occasion.<\/p>\n

Personalize<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For me, the best part of setting a table is decorating the place settings with trinkets placed at the center of the plate or just above it. If you like, these pretty objects can be offered as favors.<\/p>\n

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A. Michelsen<\/p>\n

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1915 sterling silver Christmas spoon<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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$250<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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A. Michelsen<\/p>\n

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1948 sterling silver Christmas spoon<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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$75<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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Dated objects are great for personalization. You can match them to a guest\u2019s birth year if you like (see the Royal Copenhagen plates above).<\/p>\n

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Bo Strom<\/p>\n

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vintage wooden figurine<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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$50<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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I have some of these at home. They look as cute on the table as on the mantle or window sill.<\/p>\n

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Einar Nerman<\/p>\n

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vintage Swedish postcard<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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$7<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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Einar Nerman postcards are one of the niche things I collect. He\u2019s a Swedish graphic artist best known for the illustration that he made for Solstickan matches in 1936. A selection of these would look charming on a plate.<\/p>\n

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West Germany<\/p>\n

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vintage heart shaped glass ornaments<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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$21<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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I\u2019d tie these to napkins with a pretty bow. Alternatively, they\u2019d look lovely hanging from the arms of a chandelier.<\/p>\n

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Levi & Salaman<\/p>\n

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1904 Edwardian silver shoe pin cushion<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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$390<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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Levi & Salaman<\/p>\n

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1912 silver Birmingham elephant pin cushion<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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$502<\/span><\/p>\n

EBAY<\/p>\n

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These enchanting silver pin cushions would make marvelous place cards. Stick a name card through with a hat pin secured in one of these charming creatures.<\/p>\n

Presented by eBay,<\/em> Vogue\u2019s vintage and pre-loved partner.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

Source URL: http:\/\/vogue.com\/article\/23-ideas-for-setting-a-stunning-holiday-table-using-vintage-finds<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Runway 23 Ideas for Setting a Stunning Holiday Table Using Vintage Finds By Laird Borrelli-Persson December 3, 2025 Photographed by Irving Penn Truth be told, I\u2019m useless in the kitchen\u2014boiling water for tea and making toast is about as advanced as I get. What gets me excited is the kitchen-adjacent art of table setting; it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":889958,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[50],"class_list":["post-889957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","tag-vogue-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/889957","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=889957"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/889957\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/889958"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=889957"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=889957"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=889957"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}