Clark Griswold Is At It Again! Get Your Back-up Power Source Ready!

Welcome to the 476th Tablescape Thursday!

Thanks so much for all the wonderful suggestions yesterday regarding where to shop for a Christmas tree. I am going to check them all out over the next few days. I’ll be sure to let you know what tree I end up buying.

All this talk of Christmas trees has me dreaming of Christmas. Years ago, we used to collect Department 56 houses. I still have them all, though I haven’t put them out in recent years. Since I haven’t been putting them out on display (I really should!) I hadn’t planned on adding any new ones to my Snow Village collection.

Christmas Vacation Table Setting with Dept. 56 Lit Houses

 

But then I came across these adorable moose mugs, just like the ones seen in the hilarious Christmas movie, Christmas Vacation. Last Christmas I purchased four for myself and four for my son and his family. This year I added two more to my collection. Moose Mugs are available here: Moose Mugs. You’ll find the non-glass version I purchased for my two grandsons here: Moose Mugs.Christmas Vacation Moose Mug

Then I came across Margo and Todd’s house in A Classy Flea for just $10! The fates were conspiring against me, whispering in my ear that I NEEDED to do a Christmas Vacation table setting. I certainly didn’t need much of a push since the movie has been a favorite in our family for many years.

Margo & Todd's House, Dept. 56 Christmas Vacation

 

We’re back in the dining room for this week’s table. Red walls just seemed like a great back drop for a Christmas table. I couldn’t decide which pictures to leave out, so this post is pretty photo heavy. Hope you enjoy!

Christmas Vacation Christmas Tablescape

 

Santa Plate, Christmas Collection, Old Saint Nick

 

These Santa plates purchased in HomeGoods many years ago, have always been a favorite of mine for Christmas. I just love this Santa’s sweet face.

Williams Sonoma Plaid Chargers & Salad Plates

 

Here’s a close up from a previous Christmas setting, taken in natural light coming in through the window. ♥ The Santa Plates are hallmarked: CR Christmas Collection “Old Saint Nick.”

Santa Plate

 

The dinner plate is by David Carter Brown, pattern is “Christmas Valley.” The tartan charger and tartan salad plates are available here: Plaid Charger Plates.

Old Saint Nick Plates, C.R. Christmas Collection

 

They are the same tartan plaid seen here in my winter bedding available here: Tartan Bedding. I do love this red and green tartan pattern!

Tartan Plaid Bedding For Winter

 

The little white specks are from a major snow storm last night. It brought with it a fierce wind that blew the snow right over onto the napkins and flatware. 😉

When creating this table, you don’t have to use as much snow as I did. I may have gotten a wee bit carried away! lol

Red Flatware for Christmas

 

Ho, Ho, Ho! ♪♫

Can’t remember where I found these “HO” napkin rings, have had them for many, many years.

Christman Napkin Rings, Ho, Ho, Ho

 

Clark has done it! He’s finally succeeded in getting the lights to work and his house is a blazing inferno for Christmas!

Christmas Vacation Moose Mugs in Christmas Vacation Tablescape

 

Remember that scene in the movie when his power meter is spinning around and around at warp speed, while the rest of city suffers a complete black out?! lol The power company has to throw the emergency switch to their backup power source, all because of Clark’s lighting extravaganza! 😉

 

I hid all the cords with snow. This is the snow I used here: Faux Snow. It’s my favorite because it looks so real! Plus it’s not wet, so you can use it on wood surfaces. Love that!

I handled the cords the same way I’ve done in previous tables by leaving a very tiny crack where the two leaves of the table come together, then ran the cords down through the crack where they are plugged into one extension cord that runs out to the outlet behind the sideboard. (See how that’s done in this post: Create a Lit Centerpiece for a Table Setting.) I didn’t take time to tape that one cord down to the floor, but that’s what I would do for a dinner party.

Santa Plates for a Christmas Tablescape

 

That method also worked great for this Christmas table setting created many years ago: Christmas Table with Dept. 56 Centerpiece.

 

Santa’s view from his sleigh…

Griswold Family House, Dept. 56

 

Christmas Vacation Tablescape with Moose Mugs & Dept. 56 Lit Houses

 

The Griswold home is available here: Griswold House. You’ll find all the Christmas Vacation lit houses available here: Christmas Vacation Lit Houses. That’s where I purchased all the pieces in my collection, except for Margo and Todd’s home found last year while antiquing.

The Griswold Holiday House, Dept. 56 Lit House in Christmas Table Setting

 

Added the woody car last year. I love keeping it on my desk during the Christmas season because it makes me laugh every time I see it. 🙂

Dept. 56 Christmas Vacation Griswold Family Tree

 

Christmas Vacation Table Setting, Dept. 56

 

There’s Cousin Eddie!

Cousin Eddie with Hose in Sewer, Dept. 56 Christmas Vacation

 

He’s at it again, dressed in his bathrobe, beer in hand, emptying his RV’s holding tank directly into the sewer in front of Clark’s home. Ha!

Christmas Vacation, Cousin Eddie, Dept 56

 

Margo and Todd have just arrived home from doing a little Christmas shopping, and I don’t think they are too thrilled with the smell that’s wafting toward their home!

Department 56, Todd & Margo's Home in Table Display

 

They aren’t going to like the little surprise waiting for them in their upstairs bedroom, either!

Margo & Todd's House, Department 56 Christmas Vacation

 

Clark was a bit careless when he cut down a tree in the yard after their first Christmas tree went up in flames!

Tree Crashing Through Window, Todd and Margo's House, Dept. 56 Christmas Vacation

 

Dept. 56 Todd, Margo's House in Christmas Vacation

 

This has to be one of Department 56’s best collections! I just love all the lights on Clark’s home and Eddie’s RV!

Christmas Vacation Dept. 56 Lit Centerpiece

 

The lights have three settings: one where the house is lit inside, another where all the lights on the exterior are lit as well, and a third where the exterior lights are flashing like crazy. 🙂 I also added the garage this year, you can see it there to the right of the house. It’s available here: Garage.

Nighttime View of Christmas Vacation, Dept. 56 Lit Houses

 

Todd and Margo’s house lit at night…

Dept. 56 Todd and Margo's Home, Lit for Christmas Table Setting

 

Hope you enjoyed this holiday table setting! It was sooo much fun to create! You know I’m never going to grow up–you know that, right? 😉

Christmas Vacation Table Setting with Dept. 56 Lit Houses

 

Looking forward to all the beautiful tables posted for this week’s Tablescape Thursday!

Pssst: I post almost daily to Instagram. Follow Between Naps on the Porch on Instagram here: Between Naps On The Porch.

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Comments

  1. I have the moose mugs. My daughter gave me a bunch of them a few years ago. I make her store them for me since they take up so much room. But they are fun to use. We have some great pics of people with them.

  2. I didn’t even know they had this collection. We love the Dept 56 North Pole and Original Grinch Village pieces. I agree, the Griswold’s home and the RV are amazing. So fun when they are lit up! I did wrap my Christmas Eve gifts – the fanciest ones the other night while watching Hallmark Christmas movies! Can’t stop the excitement.

    • Jacqueline, I need to get busy! I haven’t wrapped anything yet, although I did find some really cute paper that I’m thinking about using.

  3. What a fun table. Christmas vacation is a classic for us as well. Thanks for sharing.

  4. Love it!

  5. Oh, my goodness, just totally love! Such a great idea, can’t wait to do our version of your table. Thank you for bring holiday cheer to our home today.

  6. Donna Henson says

    What a GREAT and fun Christmas tablescape. Love the originality

  7. Oh, I love it all. I couldn’t pick out a favorite. It’s all wonderful.

  8. The house all lit up, with room lights dimmed, is beautiful. But I just wouldn’t be able to eat if I were seated by the RV–just couldn’t 😀

  9. Your table looks so festive and magnificent, makes me dream of Christmas….Christine

  10. I so enjoyed seeing this fun tablescape! I had no idea the Griswold Family Christmas items were “out there” and I love how you’ve created the whole scene perfectly. We watch that movie every year and this year, I’ll be remembering your wonderful tablescape. Thanks for sharing and for hosting this terrific get-together each week!

  11. “HILARIOUS!!!!” I LUV that movie – can’t even tell you how many times we’ve watched it! That tablescape will keep EVERYONE entertained!! franki

  12. Cyndi Raines says

    How special is this! Great job Susan! Love it! Love that movie, makes us laugh so hard!

  13. Love the table. I started out with Christmas Village and then went to the Dicken’s series. I haven’t gotten mine out for a few years either. This puts me in the mood. I think they will be coming out this year. My niece has the Griswold setting (with mugs) and we have the best time with it. Our family has watched that movie so many times, most everyone can recite all the lines. So many great memories.

    • lol I wonder if they knew when they were making it, that it would be such a big hit. Chevy Chase was such a good choice for playing Clark.

  14. Sherry Stuifbergen says

    I love the mirror in your dining room…Austrian, isn’t it? Could you do a “story” about the mirror sometime, where you got it, how you found it, etc. It looks like an antique. You can’t find these in furniture stores anymore, can you. Is Clark’s house REALLY selling for $400?

    • Thanks, Sherry! I purchased it about 15+ years ago during a big sale that a company called Speer Collectibles, used to have twice a year. I think they mostly made lamps but they sold accessories, too. I think they mostly sold to just stores or designers, but they had their warehouse sales twice a year. Unfortunately, they’ve gone out of business now. I’ve seen some of these mirrors online over the years…most seem to be smaller.
      I think Clark’s house is around $115 or something like that. I noticed that Todd and Margo’s house is going for close to $400. I guess Dept 56 must not be making it now…not sure if that’s why it’s so expensive or not. I feel very lucky to have found mine for $10 in a local flea/antique shop.

  15. Susan this is the best my friend! Just love it. I had no idea there were Christmas houses for the movie.

    • Thanks, Pamela! I googled the other day to see if they had created them for Home Alone, and I don’t think they have. I wonder why…it would be such a huge hit if they did! They could make the house across the street where he runs at the end of the movie, the next door neighbor’s house, the church he visits, the pharmacy where he accidentally steals a toothbrush, the grocery store he visits, etc… Maybe they have to get permission to do that.

  16. Last year my son bought us all ugly Christmas sweaters to wear. The four of us always watch the movie together and drink eggnog out of our moose mugs. My sweater says, “Why is the carpet wet Todd?” And my husband’s says “I don’t know Margot.”

    • I can just picture you all in your sweaters drinking eggnog from moose mugs. 🙂
      I love those Todd/Margo T-shirts…they are so funny! I bought the sweatshirts for my son and dil last year and they wore them on Christmas Day. lol

  17. This just makes me laugh, so funny. That movie is a true classic. What a great table, Susan. No doubt you had fun creating it.

  18. Your table is a walk through nostalgia lane! Love Clark and his never ending quest for the perfect Christmas! Thanks for sharing the great idea of adding a lit centerpiece to the dining room table! This will replace the battery operated lights I have used in past years! Enjoy your blogs and look forward to your creativity during the holidays!!

    • Oh, that’s the perfect way to describe it, he really is trying to achieve that perfect Christmas…you have to love him for that! 🙂
      Thanks, Missy!

  19. So cute!!!

  20. Oh Susan,
    I love this! I knew your “Griswold” tablescape would be fascinating, there’s just one problem: now I want to rewatch that movie today while sipping eggnog from a moose mug but I have none of these things! Sigh! 🙂

  21. Ann Seigman says

    Fun, fun, fun!!! What a fun tablescape! I think this is one of my favorites! It makes me regret breaking up my Christmas house set and giving most of it away! Waaa…

    • Ann, I’ve been tempted a few times to do that, so I know what you mean. I think if I ever do that, I’ll have to keep the Christmas Vacation collection since my grandsons will probably get a big kick out of it when they are old enough to watch the movie.

  22. Such fun Susan! We watch Christmas Vacation every year, our family holiday tradition! I just ordered some moose mugs and pj pants for my husband and son, they are going to crack up! Thanks for the links!

  23. Super cute Susan! I was just telling Dan about that series by Dept.56 they came out with. We were visiting a huge Christmas store and they have a whole area dedicated to those villages. It’s always fun to set up the village (a bit of work!) and enjoyable to see! Are you going to leave it set up through the holiday? I would 🙂 I think I saw the moose mugs at Bed Bath &
    Beyond- but I can’t remember if it was last year or longer ago. They are the bomb!

    • Oh, I would love to visit a store with those, I don’t know of any around here. Maybe it’s a good thing I don’t, not sure I could resist buying more!
      I am! I really wished I lived closer to my grandsons so they could see it.
      I know, those mugs are hysterical! 🙂
      Liz, today I called Department 56 to ask if they have plans to ever do a collection for the movie, Home Alone. The person I was talking with didn’t know, but said she would pass it along. I’m sure they have thought of it, but maybe they can’t get permission or something. I sure they have to get permission to do that type thing. I would love to see Home Alone done! 🙂

  24. What a happy tablescape! It would make me smile, too. The movie is hilarious. You did really well with the house purchase. They are over $100 on Amazon.

    • Thanks, Nancy! It was only the Margo and Todd house that I stumbled across in A Classy Flea…that was definitely a lucky find. Had no idea they were so hard to find now, I guess the house has been retired.

  25. I almost spit tea all over my computer screen when I saw Cousin Eddie! love Love LOVE this tablescape!!

  26. I love it! What a fun dinner party you could have then watch the movie after – so much fun!

  27. Your tablescapes always bring a smile, but this one more than most! And please don’t apologize for too many pictures — the more the merrier! In fact, I’m always a little sad when I get to the end of the post and realize there are no more pictures!

  28. This table is so much fun! You nailed every detail, Susan. :0) Thank you so much for sharing. Have a wonderful rest of your day.

  29. Way back in the day I worked at Hudsons (now Macys) and was the manager in the Christmas Shoppe. That’s when I fell in love with Dept 56 and started my collection. I didn’t put mine out last year either. After seeing your display several years ago I styled a table with my Dickens Village and use led lights. Your beautiful table is tempting me to get The Christmas Vacation pieces. Also, that is one of my favorite movies and one that keeps me company in the kitchen during the holiday season. Thank you for sharing this and for hosting.

    • Sandra, I wouldn’t have been able to resist either, working where you saw them every day. How early in the season did they put them out/display them?
      Oh wow, a Dickens Village table, bet that was amazing! Did you post that? I would love to see it. I have a few Dickens houses, but not very many.

  30. Absolutely adorable! This may very well be one of my favorite tablescapes of the year!

  31. Love! I had no idea there is a Griswold home in the dept 56 brand! This tablescape one of your best imo. I have over 50 dept 56 houses,New England and Christmas in the city. Shame on me for not displaying the last ?20 years. Maybe this year I will display a few pieces. Thank you so much Susan for all you do.

    • Thanks, Dawne! Isn’t this collection a hoot! I just love it! Oh, definitely get out a few! I don’t remember how the Christmas in the City look, will have to google to see those. Wonder what city they used as inspiration.

  32. I tried to comment yesterday but I don’t think it went thru but maybe that was for the best since I went tree exploring as I have been thinking about purchasing a new one myself. Well almost everywhere I have looked so far the trees look exactly how yours arrived with various branches and lights only on ends. Still have to check out Michael’s and Home Depot yet. Awaiting to see what you find and think. I am wishing you good luck in your pursuit!

    • I noticed that about the trees at Home Depot and Lowes, too. I did find one at Home Depot where the “realistic” needles seem to go a bit further back. The trees were half the cost, too…plus they connect the same way, where there’s only out outlet/plug connection.
      Pat, I purchased one tonight, but I’m not opening it until I look a few other places. The one I purchased at Home Depot was this one: http://bit.ly/2zOJgpW . It and the GE Deluxe, Just Cut, One Plug, Norway Spruce seen here: http://bit.ly/2zsyJAd were my favorites. So check those two out when you go to HomeDepot. I’m going to look a few more places tomorrow before I decide if I’m going to keep the HD tree I bought today.

  33. What a fun table and so beautifully done!!! I bet you had a blast creating it! I have started my Christmas decorating and have gotten a lot done but still a lot to do! Have a fabulous weekend! I hope I get FINISHED over the weekend:)

    • Thanks, Pinky! You, too! Think my neighbors will think I’m crazy if I put the wreaths on my windows this weekend. Ha! Only Bloggers decorate this early! lol

  34. I love when you use your dining room for your tablescapes. It is so warm and beautiful.

  35. Beautiful Christmas images from your house dear Susan.
    Thank you so much for hosting yet again this week.
    Blessings,
    Fabby

  36. I feel like a babe in the woods. I had no idea that these pieces are available. The moose mugs I know about. Christmas Vacation is a favourite in our house along with A Christmas Carole. I love this table and your tips for electrical cords on the table as well.

  37. Darlene Gardner says

    Susan, I love this! We have quite a few Christmas movies and this one is a favorite. No matter how many times I see it, I still get lots of laughs. What a wonderful table!

  38. This is one of the cutest tablescapes I’ve seen! I love the Griswold theme and the plates.

    • Thanks so much, Jennifer! It was so much fun to create! I had the theme song to Christmas Vacation playing from my phone on a bluetooth speaker the whole time I was working on it. 🙂

  39. Fun post! It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas…like the idea of watching the movie after dinner or even before with the table set up. Beautiful dining room by the way.

  40. Maggie Amis says

    Christmas Vacation is the FIRST Christmas movie to go in (Right after Thanksgiving DINNER!) We even named our new dog Clark! Movie lines are used throughout the year (from all the Vacation movies, really)
    When the dog runs by me on the stairs, I say “Don’t throw me down Clark!”
    Thank You Susan…

    • Ha! Maggie, I love that your dog is named Clark, that is too cute! lol There are so many great lines in that movie! Too funny about the dog running by on the stairs, love that! 🙂

  41. Your table is too cute!!! Can I borrow it for my ugly Christmas sweater party?? It has such a fun vibe, it would be perfect!!

  42. I was grinning all the way through this post! Love the photos! It is one of our favorite Christmas movies, too. I found our Moose Mugs at Kohl’s last year and added to them from Target this year. Eggnog just tastes better out of those awkward mugs!

  43. This is the best thing that I’m going to see today. I love Christmas Vacation, and had no idea there were light up houses. I know just the local shop that is bound to have them, so I’ll be heading there next week. Thanks for the morning smile, and for your continued cleverness.

  44. Oh My! “Christmas Vacation” IS MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIE. Watch it every year. Didn’t know they had the Ch. Village. I so want. But guess I’ll settle for the moose mugs. A MUST HAVE. Thank for sharing this wonderful table.

  45. Marlene Stephenson says

    I love your table setting and Christmas brings out the child in all of us.

  46. Bobbi Duncan says

    I just love the way you wrote this post–was laughing all the way through. Like you, I’m determined to never grow up. The table setting is simply adorable! Think I told you my sil got this collection last year, and now wish I’d gotten the Todd and Margo house because I’ve seen prices as high as $998.00 this year!!!!! Is that crazy, or what? Hugs!

    • Thanks so much, Bobbi! I love that! We’ll stay young at heart forever! 🙂
      I was shocked when I saw them going for the upper $300’s and for over $400. Had no idea they were going for almost $1,000! That’s crazy, I would never pay that. I guess they must have retired that house, for it to be so hard to find.

  47. What fun – I loved “rummaging” through all your fun purchases and seeing the darling display – you sure put a lot of work into that. Ohhhh I love the plaid bedding – I think I must have some.

  48. So fun Susan! Thanks for this table, one of my favorites. Christmas Vacation is one of our families’ favorites as well. When my nephews were younger my Christmas present from them was their reinacting a scene from the movie at the family Christmas gathering at my house. One year they pulled up in an old van and “Eddie” got out in his bathrobe with a beer and emptied the RV tank into the sewer, another year one had on pajamas and a big red bow and the other kicked his rear end all the way up the driveway!! The best one was when I heard a ruckus out by our pool and looked out and “Eddie” was out there in a leopard print speedo and white undershirt, a cigar in one hand and a beer in another!! So much fun and great memories. I’m kind of dreading Christmas this year, it has been a difficult one for my family. I lost my dad in January and my brother in March. Christmas won’t be the same anymore but we will hopefully make new memories. Thanks so much for your blog, I don’t comment much, but I always enjoy reading it.

    • I’m so sorry you lost your dad and brother, I know loosing two family members in one year is very hard. When I was 19, I lost a very close Aunt, my brother-in-law and my father all within a three month period. I hope the memories of past Christmases spent with them will be a comfort this Christmas.

      Your nephews sound awesome! They must have had the best time thinking up what scene to re-enact each year. I would have hardly been able to wait until Christmas to see what they were cooking up! Love their sense of humor, and yours!

  49. Tina Carpenter says

    The table scape, the Griswolds, and you are awesome sauce!

  50. Tina Carpenter says

    I forgot to ask did you get pictures of your friend Marie’s house for Thanksgiving? I don’t remember seeing yours either? I would hate to miss out on those posts! I have family members staying with me for the winter, so it’s been crazy. Thank you

    • No, I don’t think she does a lot of decorating inside for Thanksgiving…maybe just a little because she starts her decorating for Christmas in August. On the exterior, she goes straight from Halloween decor to Christmas Decor.

  51. Your Griswald tablescape makes me so happy! Christmas in Chicago is always a good thing. Thanks for sharing!

  52. I love this!! I bought the Griswold house, the sledding shed and the RV for my son last year. I just took it out of the boxes to set it up again this year and I am completely confused I have a battery pack that powers the shed from the sledding scene and/or the RV. I purchased a separate department 56 electric adapter so that the items would not have to run a battery. The adapter fits into the shed building and the RV but does not fit into the house. How is the house Powered? any help from anyone is greatly appreciated. Wish i could post a pic of the end of the adapter and the end of the house “plug” …feel like i am missing something.

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