Why Red and Green at Christmas? And the Holiday Table

 Have you ever wondered why red and green were the predominant colors of this holiday season, which occurs at the outset of winter when in many places the world is mostly gray and white?

There are several possible explanations, according to folklore. One is that in the ancient Celtic culture evergreens represented continuing life in a time of dark and cold. Much importance was attached to these plants by the Druids, who believed that holly, ivy and other evergreens had spiritual powers and could bring good luck if used correctly.

Early Christian missionaries sought to win over pagan culture by incorporating Christian teachings into existing traditions, so they taught that red berries were symbolic of the blood of Christ, and that the thorns of the holly represented the crown of thorns. Since the pagans already had established celebrations around the Winter Solstice, the Christians selected that time of year to celebrate the birth of Christ, eventually replacing the solstice celebrations with Christmas. While Chrisitianity became in time the dominant religion, certain vestiges of earlier traditions clung to the winter holidays as holly, evergreens and mistletoe all became standard parts of our decorations and continue to be important even today.

So  am right in keeping with ancient traditions with my love of red and green at the holidays. This year's holiday table uses my vintage red and green glass, along with crystal pieces and touches of white. 

I picked branches off my bridal wreath spirea bush and spray-painted them gold and silver for the center arrangement, and added a few pyracantha berries and some fake glittery berries for color. Simple and fast.

I bought the green berry bowls below to go with this Anchor Hocking boopie burple bowl one at a time (that really is what this pattern is called--don't you love it?). I have a crystal set that I assembled the same way, finding the bowls at thrift shops and yard sales. My sister Theresa gave me the diamond point goblets, and the footed ruby tumblers (also Anchor Hocking) came from that estate we bought in May.

I like having individual salts and peppers on the table; it simplifies things. My sister Liz gave me several sets and I found a dish to hold them until needed.

The tall red vase is also Anchor Hocking. That company made a lot of affordable, beautiful and functional glassware, and what I liked best is what they made in the 40's-60's. The red decanter may be Blenko, or perhaps Viking, it's difficult to tell. It had no stopper when I bought. I buy stoppers whenever I find them reasonably priced, so I have a container of various sizes now. When I buy a decanter or cruet that needs one, I just go through my collection! Of course, often it turns out that I don't have the right size, and the hunt begins again.

The little bowl with the red knob on top on the left in the above photo is a recent find. The knob is red bakelite, and the bowl is perfect for cinnamon sugar--and this is perfect cinnamon toast weather.

The Santa candle holder below is 60's vintage, by Howard Holt. These are surprisingly collectible these days. Who would have thought it? I found this pair last week at Goodwill. The mirrored board under the Santa is another Godwill find and makes a good "center" for my table.

I think I have a thing for candle holders because I certainly seem to have plenty of them. The deep ruby ones are by Fenton glass; I found them at the end of an auction at a bargain price. The red twist vase is one of a pair; I do not know the maker. The ruby is cased in clear glass and the base is quite heavy. I bought these on eBay recently and was pleased with how beautiful they are--much prettier than their photo. I would guess them to be Kanawha Glass or perhaps Italian Murano, but do not know for sure. The clear candle holder in the foreground is another mystery. I feel fairly sure this pair is by Heisey, but have not been able to verify that. They are heavy, beautiful crystal that sparkles in the light.

I am looking forward to seeing my table surrounded by smiling faces, loaded with good food, and filled with the cheer of the coming season.

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.

Some Finds I Keep

I usually show photos of things I plan to sell in my booths, but sometimes something ends up staying right here. Of course, when that happens it means I have to get rid of another things to make space! I thought today I'd share with you some of the more recent additions to my home space.

This is the most recent: a lamp I found yesterday for $2.00! I thought I was going to sell it and make a nice profit, but once I got it home and tested it to be sure it worked, I fell in love with it and it will stay right here. I think this lamp is at least 50 years old, judging by the cord on it.

Then there is the pretty glass bird. You know how much I like birds, and that I have quite a few of the glass variety around the house. Some collections grow without realizing it's a collection, and my birds are that way. I found this amberina one at an auction and knew it was going to be part of my glass bird collection (and part of my red glass collection as well). Although it doesn't look like it in the photo, it is actually more red than amber.

Red seems to be moving into almost every room of my house, and the kitchen has the bulk of it. I especially like this color I call Chinese red, although it probably has a more accurate name.

I found this little salt and pepper set on eBay; I'd been trying to buy a set for my vintage Tappan stove for some time but always the price was just more than I was willing to pay. This set isn't perfect but it was in my price range, and I'm not perfect either--which makes them a perfect match for me.

Linking today to Make it Pretty Monday, Yesterday on Tuesday, Nifty Thrifty Tuesday and A Diamond in the Stuff.. Stop by and see what they've been up to.

Copyright 2012 Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.

Transition to Fall Table

It's not quite fall but already the leaves are turning in my woods, due no doubt to the dry, hot summer. I'm moving into the season a little bit with some fall color on the table. I like using my glass to decorate and having been doing more of it as the glass collection grows. Here's what I've done so far.

 Lots of red and amber and crystal. Those little vases will be filled with roses later today, before my sisters get here I hope.

 I think these colors go well with my oak table. Maybe later I'll add a darker runner and candles, and some leaves or nuts as the season progresses.

All the little crystal vases came out for this table. Actually, that not all of them. Actually, I wonder how in the world I accumulated so many...The center piece is a Blenko vase. I can't remember the name of the shape but it's a stunning amberina piece, very vibrant amber-to-red coloration.

 The amber pitcher was my mother's (and once again, the tilt is the photographer, not the table).

 I like mixing up my plates in a display. The little paperweight sort of snuck in--she wasn't supposed to be there.

The tall amber goblets were a steal at a local antique shop. They have lots of tiny bubbles in the glass.

Copyright 2012 Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.

Red and Red and Red

I'm slowly getting things together for Christmas. Dusting, waxing and finishing touches are all that's left--oh, and silver cleaning! This is what I did on the table. I pulled together crystal, red and green glass to create a seasonal display. I'm not 100% satisfied with it; it looks like too much to me.

Here's a closer look at the elements. What should I add or remove? I just feel like something is missing here.

Ruby Red saucer and cup and small angel candle holder with a red metallic spiral candle;

Horsehead bookend, red controlled-bubble paperweight, green glass tree candy jar, Ruby Red vase with sparkly twigs, small deer candle holder with a red ball in it instead of a candle, red decanter with crystal stopper.

I used a glass brick that was given to me by a friend to give height and extra crystal shine to the arrangement. Small crystal salt cellar and the small shakers are just everyday use items that snuck into the picture!

I love this sweet little deer with his red ribbon. These are two more of the shakers--I got all 4 for $1.00 a few weeks ago. They're heavy cut glass and I believe they're fairly old. I really like the feel of them.

I used my tall silver candlesticks with gold candles to frame the arrangement. Yes, I know, the candlesticks still need to be cleaned!

So, what would you change? One problem with the stuff I have on the table is that I have to move a lot of it to serve dinner if we have company. I will probably put a new tablecloth on the table and some Christmas placemats before Christmas--I have a red cloth, and also one that is tan with a holly pattern. I'm still deciding which one to use; I also have two choices of placemats. Decisions, decisions!

Here is more red glass around the house:

These are on a high shelf in the living room, and my picture is a little crooked!

I love the tall red jars at the back of this shelf. They have brass lids and the glass is very thin, and quite possibly just painted red glass but they really make a statement.

I found this piece at Goodwill and it took me some time to identify it. My instinct said Blenko, but I could find no Blenko vase that looked like this. While looking at Blenko ashtrays, I spotted it: it is the base for a Blenko lighter. There should have been a round cigarette lighter in the top, and the base would have rested in the center of an amberina ashtray. Alone, it's still a striking piece of glass, although its value is greatly diminished by not having the lighter.

In another cabinet there is this collection of glass:

Crackle, Diamond Point, Ruby Flash,

and a cranberry colored sugar and creamer that was my mother's and is quite old, I believe. I found the name of the sugar and creamer--they're blown glass--but cannot recall it now. Mom also collected crackle glass pitchers. The square pitcher was my mother's; I think the tall orange vase and the candle lamp are Fenton. There are two pieces of Amberina Moon and Stars glass in here as well. The copper etched plate was a gift from a friend in 1993--she brought it back from Turkey.

That's most, but not all, of my red glass. If you haven't guessed--yes, red glass is my favorite, followed by crystal, amber and green.

Linking today to: Her Library Adventures, Colorado Lady's Vintage Thingies Thursday, and Apron Thrift Girl.