A Bright and Festive Christmas Luncheon

When planning a Christmas luncheon at her shop, JoJo Home in Birmingham, Alabama, Marjorie Johnston didn’t need to search long for inspiration. “We set the table using fabrics and furnishings from our inventory,” she explained. “The tablecloth—a Muriel Brandolini design with a metallic-gold floral motif—was the inspiration for the mix of china, crystal, and serving pieces.”

The dining table featured a masterful grouping of more contemporary elements such as the wooden charger plates and marble cheese board joined by formal china and elegant white linens trimmed and monogrammed in gold from Table Matters, one of the designer’s go-to shops.

Petite vintage bottlebrush trees and little houses from Marjorie’s personal collection added a charming, more humble note to the table sprinkled among the glittering pieces. “A lot of people have fine china they never use because it feels so formal, but if you mix it with more rustic pieces, you can create a whole new look,” said Marjorie’s daughter, Wendy Barze. “We had metallic elements throughout that tied this table setting together.”

A favorite beaded tabletop tree was reimagined for the centerpiece. “We hung ornaments on this tree last year, but for this lunch we wired in roses, pinecones, sprigs of rosemary, and greenery for a feminine look,” says Wendy. “The pinecones will last all season, and you can change out the flowers or other natural elements as you desire.”

The team, which also includes Marjorie’s associate Katherine Bramlett, created engaging vignettes with florals, wreaths, and other holiday accents on the bar and sideboard with a continuation of the rustic and refined mix. The varied floral arrangements included greenery gathered primarily from Wendy’s own garden and placed in an elegant, tall fluted urn next to a small bark container full of ‘Circus’ roses, white Oriental lilies, silver brunia berries, and poppy pods.

“When it comes to flower arranging, I find it’s easiest to start with a pretty assortment of fresh floral material, a friendly container, and water. It’s no fail if you keep it simple,” says Marjorie.

The shop’s sparkling atmosphere even extended to the signature Champagne cocktail named “Winter’s Kiss.” Its ingredients were cleverly packaged as a holiday gift along with a recipe card that read “All is Bright”—a fitting phrase for this festive affair.

WINTER’S KISS CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

Makes 1

INGREDIENTS

• • 1 raw sugar cube
  • Rosé Champagne
  • 4 – 6 drops artisanal citrus bitters
  • Sprig of rosemary

DIRECTIONS

1. 1. Put a sugar cube in a glass or Champagne flute.
   2. Add Champagne and bitters.
   3. Garnish with rosemary sprig and enjoy!

HOLIDAY PARTY FAVORS

MATERIALS

• • Cocktail napkins, personalized with each guest’s monogram
  • 187ml cans rosé Champagne (such as Francis Coppola Sofia Mini Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine – 4-Pack)
  • Raw sugar cubes
  • Bottles of artisanal citrus bitters (1 for each guest)
  • Rosemary sprigs
  • Strawberry baskets
  • Cellophane
  • Festive ribbon
  • Recipe cards for Winter’s Kiss (see recipe above)

DIRECTIONS

1. 1. Nestle napkins, 1 can rosé Champagne, raw sugar cubes, 1 bottle citrus bitters, and rosemary springs in each basket.
   2. Wrap with cellophane, and tie with ribbon, attaching recipe card.
   3. Tuck a sprig of rosemary into each knot.