A Review: Traditions of Christmas 2023: From Editors of Victoria Magazine & Easy Thanksgiving Table
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- Опубліковано 26 жов 2023
- Join me on Instagram @the.tartan.topiary
As seen through the eyes of children, Christmas is nothing short of magical, with dreams of candy canes and reindeer paws and gifts mysteriously left beneath a bauble-laden tree.
But for adults, time lends a deeper resonance to the day, when layers of sweet memories from Yuletides past are laced with the joy of family togetherness and a sacred reverence for the true meaning of the celebration. Whether the holiday comes wrapped up in traditional hues of red and green or glitters with sophisticated shades of silver and gold, one thing is certain: Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year.
With that sentiment in mind, the editors of Victoria magazine present their latest keepsake volume, Traditions of Christmas, brimming with page upon page of seasonal inspiration. Heralding the season with jubilance, we offer ideas for creating a festive welcome to your home and embrace the time-honored tradition of sending greeting cards. As the tree is often the center of holiday décor, you’ll find a breathtaking cavalcade of the prettiest evergreens-each lovely branch brimming with exquisite ornaments and twinkling lights. Impassioned homeowners open their doors wide, allowing glimpses into grand old residences where holiday traditions of the past meet new ones in the making and treasured collections find pride of place amid the holly and the ivy.
Since entertaining goes hand in hand with the holidays, gracious tables and delectable menus take center stage this time of year. Included in the book is a selection of elegantly merry settings, accompanied by delectable recipes certain to become new favorites. You’ll also find ideas that embrace the idea of giving from the heart and set off on a picture-postcard tour of Christmas celebrations around the world before returning to revel in the peaceful days of gratitude and reflection found in the cozy comfort of home.
Traditions of Christmas brings together all the wonder and enchantment this heartwarming season evokes in one beautifully bound volume that will hold a special place in your personal library and will continue to offer inspiration for all the Christmases to come.
Join me as I visit Williams Sonoma and decide on a very simple but elegant Thanksgiving tablescape.
Honestly, as much as I enjoy the books you review, I equally enjoy seeing the lovely things you do with your own home. Thank you for sharing, Mary!!🎄❤️💚
I agree!
Thank you for letting me know that! ❤️
😊
Same here🥰
I also look forward to what you do around the home
Thank you for allowing us to visit with you in your beautiful home. I love your soft voice in reviewing such wonderful creative books. Such a needed calming moment!
Your thoughtful words are appreciated. Thanks for watching.
completely agree on the beautiful voice as its almost a forgotten virtue to not be shrill and course
The white roses and green accents with bayberry candles were a beautiful moment of welcoming perfection, Mary. 🤍🍁
Oh Mary…I could write you a full letter of compliments. I have always struggled with the fact I’m the kind of person who is “Sad it’s over” vs “Happy it happened”. 😆. My point is your videos could definitely throw me in the dumps… mourning a life that once was. BUT, they never do. I’ve come to the conclusion it’s because you never have an ounce of pretension. You’re like an old friend who wants to share her passion for Beautiful and Loved items in Beautiful and Loved atmospheres. Thank you for that! P.S. I still laugh when I think about your husband’s contributions to your Bloopers shown last New Years. Looking forward to the dessert sampling. Thank You thank YOU THANK YOU for sharing yourself in these videos. ❤️ 🤗 ❤️
That is just about the sweetest message I have ever received. You have blessed my day and I thank you for that. My husband and I will be doing the taste testing soon and he's already causing me problems. Men...you can't live with them and you can't shoot them! Thank you for your thoughtful comment!
Oh, thank you for coming through for us, Mary. Your thoughtfulness is truly appreciated…especially as it brings us peace during crazy times. Looking forward to next week!
Yes and Yes! ❤️
Hi Mary, I loved that video. I love Christimas ❤
Such a beautiful review and elegant table setting. We have 7 grands, so my desire for elegance has to yield to practicality. However, there will be Christmas china and candlelight at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The hostess torch passed to me well over a decade ago and I want to make my mom proud. Even though she now resides in heaven.
There is something so elegant about a satin ribbon. Beautiful table scape.
I just cannot tell you how much I enjoy this channel. I binge watch and feel invigorate!
Simply beautiful. Thank you for sharing your home with us. A feast for the eyes. The green and white roses are elegant. Your China and green glasses are beautiful, too. ❤
🎄🎄🎄 Lovely! 🎄🎄🎄
Your videos are awesome Mary…Thank you!
I commented about the Nutcracker Suite last time and I apologize for that. I'm sorry I said anything because you are such a nice lady. Anytime you put it in a video, I will mute it and continue to enjoy the video as I watch it. I'll unmute it after a minute or so I can listen to you. You have such a pleasant voice. It soothes and calms me.
This video was so beautiful, all the pretty things, beautiful music, your narration, and gorgeous table settings. The green and white color scheme is perfect for Thanksgiving, vibrant and inspiring. I would like to go with those colors for my small table. Thank you for posting.
I agree this could be my favourite Christmas book yet. Thank you for sharing. Looking forward to the second instalment. ❤
I was thrilled with this book!
Loved the tablesetting. So chic. 💚
Lovely table setting Mary. Thank you for a few moments of beauty ❤❤
Wonderful review and after-show of your table. 🎄
As always Thanks Mary, for the ideas -especially ,this time, placing the several ideas out and regard them for a few days until one seems right. Cheers!
Your table is lovely and elegante'. Love seeing the bracelets 😊, I'm wearing mine. I remember the early days of Victoria Magazine. I never missed an issue. Be well. ❤
Thank you, thank you, thank you Dear sweet Mary. You reviewed another Christmas book in October as you said you would. I'm so excited and the book is beautiful. I look forward to part 2. You are indeed sharing the joy of Christmas. 😊
I love it so much. You are a fellow carrier of Christmas, I can tell. I carry it in my heart all year!
💫 ~Just beautiful Mary! This book looks like a "must have" for the holiday arsenal. ~My Grandmother used to love Bayberry candles; I will have to search for some this year! Cheers! 🏠🥰🏘
I love the natural and subtle fragrance they provide. Grandmothers knew all the best secrets!
Beautiful. Such a truly magical time.
Beautiful table setting!
The festive season is coming.I'm very happy.Thank you.
YES, indeed!
Another delightful video to fill us with holiday spirit! Your choice of green with white roses is wonderful. There is nothing more classic and elegant than white flowers, especially white roses. I can hardly wait to see part 2. ♥️💚
THANK YOU ! HOMES BEAMING WITH CHRISTMAS ALWAYS SETS A FUN TONE !! AND GREAT IDEA'S !! AND I WILL PURCHASE THIS BOOK FOR MY COLLECTION 🎉°✅✅
This is a great one. It will put you in the mood for putting up the Christmas tree. I have been so tired this month and I was having a difficult time finding inspiration. This book did it!
I will never have the beautiful things you have but I am thankful that I get to see the beauty that surrounds you daily. I am enjoying your table scapes!! Thank you for sharing with us.
Oh so lovely! I admire your stylish taste!
I love the green table setting with the white roses. Thank you for showcasing the Christmas books for I love Christmas!
Love the book. But the best is your table decor, soft and elegant.
Thank you! For giving us inspirations. You're the best..
I enjoy the book reviews, but I love seeing what you have for us after them!!❤
I really appreciate that!
Stunning Christmas is mi favorite time of the year ❤❤❤
After a long, hard day, this was a refreshing gift to my soul. I'm still smiling. God Bless you.❤
What a nice comment to read! You have made me smile as well!
ABSOLUTELY ALLURING; LOVE YOUR TABLE
This video is my favorite by far!!
Lovely tablescape.
Beautiful book. It's going on my Christmas wish list. I can't wait to see your husband's antics in the next video!
You will love this book, and my husband and I are just about to do the "taste testing" and he's already misbehaving!
Thank you for bringing us shopping with you at Williams Sonoma, also thank for another of your wonderful books .
ДЯКУЄМО ЗА КРАСУ ❤❤❤🎉
Loved the video and look forward to next week. I really enjoy it when you walk us through tablescapes in your own home.
Your home is so beautiful, thank you for allowing us to visit. The book review is amazing. Thank you for sharing.
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I am so getting this book! What beautiful photographs! I love christmas, but I do like decorating for fall, too.
My father was Italian, and we always had panettone bread at Christmas. He would toast it, and we would have it with a little butter and orange marmalade. panettone is also good with a powdered sugar glaze, it makes it more like a dessert.
Wunderschön! Sehr schöne!
I can’t believe it’s October and I’ve already started preparing for Christmas. This will be our first Christmas in Williamsburg, Virginia and we hope to celebrate with many new friends and neighbors. Thank you Mary, for sharing this wonderful book and your home. As always, your decor is outstanding!
Williamsburg is magical anytime, but especially at Christmas. We were there last year for five glorious days! ❤️
Absolutely beautiful presentation
Thank you!
Your channel is where I go for inspiration! The table setting is exquisite. Looking forward to desserts from your husband.
Thank you so much for that! I felt as if the table might be too simple, but sometimes that's okay!
Thank you for your wonderful video full of Thanksgiving table ideas; I’m happy to host this year and looking forward to setting out all the linens, candlesticks and special dishes for this holiday. Your soothing voice is a balm to my day: thank you. Julie 🌷
I my gosh Mary. This is beautiful. Simple and elegant. I’m glad you didn’t go with the orange pumpkins although they were pretty cute the white roses really stand out with those green glasses. You have got me in the Christmas spirit already. I’m excited.
That's funny- as much as I wanted the pumpkins, I just couldn't do it. My brain wanted simple.
Mary I too love Christmas as you do. I grew up and live in Wallace a few miles down the road from you and lived in what many said was the most beautiful home. When I was 15 & 16 I competed in the best decorated house contest and won the Gold cup 2 yrs in a row. Being a young man I competed with ladies that had talented florist decorate for them and I won. It was such a thrill for me and is my best memory of Christmas. I also had the privilege of spending most Sundays visiting my Grandmother @ Poplar Grove (Scotts Hill) where she lived after she married my Step-Grandfather after each of their spouses passed away for 30+ years. Its a small world!!!. Fitzhugh
You have got to be kidding me! I wrote a book about Wallace called “Wallace, NC- Home Sweet Home”
This was the town I grew up in. This little town and its colorful citizens helped shape me into the person I am today. So glad to read your delightful comment. You really did have some competition in that contest. They took it quite seriously!
I would feel honored to be sitting there for dinner!
Mary I love the different shades of green, so simple and elegant. Keep inspiring us😊
A lovely table! I enjoyed seeing how you took your time on making your choice for presentation. Thank you, Mary.🌺
I appreciate that. It seems like there is a lot going on this year and I needed to introduce myself to simple.
This book review helped put me in the Christmas spirit but not before Thanksgiving and giving thanks for so many things including our country/USA !! Your table looked just as stunning as those in your reviews and maybe even better. Your patience to detail is so noted in all you do and share with us. Beautiful. Thanks Mary..next week~
We have so much to be thankful for- I agree!
I love this book got to get it… The silver frames gave me a great idea for my tree. Thank you for the great video. Loved your table setting.
I thought the same thing as I looked those silver frames. ❤️
I've quoted Coco Chanel's "elegance" quote so many times and it warms my heart
to hear you do also. She was correct and using cherished items are so much more meaningful than new ones. I use my grandmother's damask napkins for all sorts of things.
I enjoy this channel so much. Thank you.
Hi Mary,
I love all your book reviews and look forward to them!!!!
Thank you so much! I really do appreciate you taking the time to let me know.
I love your home beautiful tablescape
Hi Mary, what a lovely book! The pictures are beautiful! Your table setting is very pretty! Love the green! Love the idea of the box of chocolates at each place setting. Thank you for sharing.
Well, my kindred spirit, I, too, have been "playing house tablescapes." It's one of my very favorite things to do, and yours is just lovely!!! We have 14 coming & hubs made "extensions" years ago as our log cabin is..."snug." I thrifted an orange velvet w/pheasants "curtain/drape w/w be the table covering. Decorative Kale is already on our deck. You stir my "imagine this"...TY!! franki. ps. "VICTORIA" rules!!
A lovely book, and a lovely table setting. When I saw the bayberry candles I smiled because tucked in my armoire is a box of bayberry tapers. I bought them last year because they reminded me of my mother whom I lost before Christmas. And I missed her. She was a simple elegant lady.My uncle would get them for her from Colonial Williamsburg as she loved their color and the scent. She always set a beautiful table and I was her eager assistant . Now my daughter and granddaughter have taken the baton … or should I say taper. I couldn’t light the bayberry candles I just wanted to experience their scent and soft green color. This year perhaps. Thank you Mary , I love your channel.
Love your table settings to celebrate Thanksgivings!
Thank you, for Thanksgiving, I'm embracing simple this year.
Always love when you do something in your home and kitchen. I did just finally decided to treat myself and ordered The French Country Christmas. Loved every page,and will savour it with cups of cappuccino on dreary cold days!
Any day is a "good book" day, but there is something about those cold dreary days that make you want to curl up and enjoy the pages of a book!
Mary, loved the book. Will go on my list of "must haves". I so enjoyed you setting your dining room table. That is one of my most favorite things to do. I think recognized the white Mikasa Italian Countryside plates and the vintage green bubble footed Anchor Hocking glasses. My wonderful mother-in-law gave me the glasses many years ago, and I treated myself to the Mikasa set of dishes almost 25 years ago. I use those plates under many place settings. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home. You are a treasure.❤
Yes, the classics are hard to beat and the glasses were a gift from my grandmother. I needed her near me this year! Thank you.
Wonderful video. I've enjoyed Victoria foe years and this book does not disappoint.
Thank you for sharing your lovely home. Your holiday table is beautiful. Tis the season!
It's a great book. I was inspiring and uplifting...I needed both.
When I was younger I used to get this magazine. I loved it ❤. “VICTORIA”
Wow what a beautiful table setting Mary. You have good taste .😊❤
Mary I always feel so relaxt after I saw your video’s. I feel transported to an whole othere sfere after a busy week. Now Im relaxt and get the wekend started with a good mood. Meaning looking for pritty things for the christmastable settings. Much love from The Netherlands and thanx for posting weekly, Im always looking forward to it. See you next week ,hope the tasting goes wel with the husband🙈 ❤
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I'm so glad you enjoy the videos. See you next week! ❤️
You just clearly stated how I feel after watching these videos. My brother and sister-in-law are visiting the Netherlands this week and all their pictures of our wonderful homeland are just fabulous filled with windmills. Julie 🌷
Your dining room table looks gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your great entertaining ideas. 😊❤
Sweet video. Its never too early for Christmas. 🙂🎄
I agree! The people that carry Christmas in their heart all year are easy to spot and a pleasure to be around.
Hello Mary, It is always a pleasure to visit with you. I enjoyed seeing this book review and look forward to more of it. I love the green and white decor of your beautiful dining room table as our taste are so similar! Next weeks video sounds like fun! Have a wonderful week and I look forward to the next video! Hugs! :)
You are a true "dear heart"! Hugs to you also!
Oh Mary, your Thanksgiving table is beautiful 🤩
You are kind. It is very simple this year and I'm okay with that. 😁
With such an enthusiastic review, I immediately ordered this lovely book! I can't wait to dive into it!
It's a great one. ❤️
Lovely Thanksgiving table, Mary. I, too, start preparing the Thanksgiving table the week before the holiday. No one appreciates how much time it takes to prepare (ironing, table leaves/pads, polishing, cleaning) and decorate the table. I enjoy looking at the finished table before starting the cooking process. Thank you for sharing your tasteful recommendations.
Thanks for the video is beautifull, I enjoy a lot ,from Canada 🇨🇦😊
Absolutely beautiful and thanks so much for sharing these wonderful books, ideas and deco❤️🤍💚
Thank you for your channel although I’ve purchased many of the beautiful books I always look forward to your next review! ❤️❤❤
I really enjoy this video...... as always congratulations, greetings from Sonora México
Your voice is so nice and relaxing love it
Yes, I love seeing your home decor and projects!💕💕
Oh, my!! That tablecloth is just gorgeous. Beautiful table settings!! Thank you for sharing.
Lovely ❤
Just what I needed this afternoon. Your table is lovely. I think I’m going to order the book you reviewed for my daughter. She is refurbishing a lovely traditional home in Connecticut and I think she’ll find many wonderful decorating ideas for Christmas in it.
Thank you once again for bringing these inspirational books to our attention. See you next week!
I'm sure your daughter will love this book. It has given me much needed inspiration. Thanks and I'll see you next week!
As always a superb weekly vlog of timely and enduring quality. Thank you Mary for sharing your world with us by opening your lovely home with us. Enjoyed the Christmas book almost as I enjoyed watching you plan and choose what you will have this year for your family's Christmas dinner table!
Beautiful table , "As always" 😁
The Queen of table Scapes..
Well- you are too kind!
Marvellous table setting and book review
Thank you, sometimes you just have to go simple!
Yes plain and simple
Very beautiful 😍❤
Your table is gorgeous! I have been severely limiting letting the news into our home, ( listening to just enough to seem somewhat informed) and saturating myself in all things holidays. I do a big vintage, not scary, Halloween. Then we give Thanksgiving its due. Sort of feel that gets the short end of the stick. Especially this year we are steeped in gratitude for all the blessings we have and where we live. ❤
Thank you for showing the Victoria book!
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Chanel also said: elegance is refusal!
Awesome
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I found so much joy from this share. I, too, love using books for inspiration. Thanks for sharing ❤
Good Morning Mary 🤗
What an absolutely beautiful vlog. This is just my second time watching your channel. I am more than thrilled that I found you. Your way of speaking is so calm, you are articulate and just such a pleasure to listen to. I feel you are transporting me to another time where beauty and elegance are an every day event. Your channel is unique and it truly stands out amongst so many others. You know Mary, I used to buy the Victoria's Magazine all the time. I enjoyed them so much. The book has peaked my interest. I am going to take a look at it. I love how you combine reviewing a book and decorating your home. Your tablescape and settings are so pretty. Your style is exquisite.
Thank you so much for sharing your home, your talent and for adding some much needed peacefulness to our lives, especially right now.
I am a new subscriber and I look forward to so many more of your videos. 😊
You have made my day! Thank you for leaving this comment. Welcome to the channel and I appreciate your kind words!
Lovely the green and white roses, your china its beautiful, I have weakness for China, crystal, or any pretty drinking glasses.
Such an inspirational book, I am ready to begin decorating! Your tablescape is lovely. I absolutely love your green glassware.
I love the book!! Christmas is my favorite time of year. Your table setting is absolutely gorgeous ❤❤❤
I absolutely love Victoria Magazine! I was so thrilled when they began publishing again!❤
Me too!!
Just ordered the book and one more too!!!
I love your choice of green and white. Your home is beautiful. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you. I felt a little overwhelmed this year and going simple helped my brain. (It needs all the help it can get) 😁
Mary you always make me feel so cozy. I am so excited for Christmas this year. Thank you for sharing this beautiful book.
This makes me happy! I'm excited too. Thanks for watching.
New to your channel and I absolutely love it. Your table turned out really lovely 🤩🎄✨
Welcome and thank you for letting me know!
Hi Miss Mary! Wow, super fantastic book and review - I have to get this one for sure! We appreciate you sharing these early Christmas reviews - please keep them coming - it's just the best season of all - but you just make them extra special, thank you! 🎄🎄🎄
Thank you for your continued and supportive comments!