How to Tablescape, Choosing the Right Goblet Colors for Your Table Setting Collection

I have been tablescaping for many years now and along the way I have learned a few things. When I started setting tables by themes, I chose goblets for my tables based purely on what color I needed, how easy it would be to find the same six or twelve goblets that I would need for that table setting quickly, and the purchase price. Most of my purchases came from Ebay, HomeGoods, and Pier 1 (our store is now closed) because I usually try to buy tablescaping items in sets of 6 or 12 (there are 12 in our extended family) and those sources were the easiest and most inexpensive to use to find what I was looking for. A large percentage of my tablescaping purchases since the beginning have been done online because there just aren’t enough stores in my area with the merchandise that I need in stock and I don’t have the time to wander around looking for things. My purchases are a mixture of old and new products but many of them are made on the secondary market (used). At the beginning, I bought several goblet sets on Ebay that were discontinued, sometimes a few goblets at a time. Some goblet sets were vintage (at least 20 years old). Estate sales and garage sales have been other great sources for goblets as well. Dollar stores often have glass and plastic goblets in many colors and the price can’t be beat! These days it is difficult to determine what is glass and what is plastic because the quality of plastic glassware has improved so much.

Once in a while I find something that is expensive but I really love it and I know exactly how I would use it on several tablescapes. When that happens, I buy one or two at a time over several months until I have the number that I need to complete my set.

After choosing the plates for your tablescape, the next decision to make is what color goblets you want to use on your table. It is always a good idea to look at your existing dish patterns and think about what color goblets would match them in addition to your clear goblets. Most people start with clear goblets and they can be used for any table setting.

I am showing three different patterns of clear glass goblets that I use on my table settings; on the left, my wedding crystal, Lismore made by Waterford; in the center another Waterford goblet from their inexpensive line, Marquis, the pattern is Brady. I found them at HomeGoods. On the right is my mother’s wedding crystal from 1938, Rock Sharpe made by Libbey, the pattern was called Ridgeway (I purchased additional pieces on Ebay). You can see my Waterford goblet on a St. Patrick’s Day tablescape here. I used the clear Marquis goblet on a Summer tablescape here. I added my mother’s Ridgeway goblet to a Spring tablescape here.

I took an inventory of 270+ tablescapes that I did in the past to see what goblet colors I have used most often and I used clear goblets the most often after red ones. I often use clear goblets with a colored goblet when I don’t have another goblet color that works with that color or I want to tone down the colors on the table.

The color goblet that I have used the most often on my tablescapes over the past several years is red. I use my red goblets several times a year; Valentine’s Day (see one here), any patriotic holiday (see one here), summer tables themes like Strawberries, Watermelons, and Picnics, and at Christmas time (see one here). A red goblet would be my first purchase after a clear goblet for a tablescaping goblet collection. I found these Red Waterford Marquis Brookside goblets at HomeGoods several years ago and I use them constantly. I have seen them for sale from time to time on Ebay.

I have red goblets in a few other patterns as well. My kitchen is white with red accents so I have a few extra red glassware patterns. I found these goblets on Ebay, no one (even Replacements) knows the pattern name.

These plastic goblets were a gift from my kids. They are perfect for a picnic themed table!

I bought these red spiral goblets at Pier 1 several years ago. I will miss Pier 1!

After red and clear the goblet colors that I have used most often on my table settings are black and dark blue.

Black is such a basic color that it can be used over and over depending on the table theme. I have used black goblets several times on Halloween tables (see one here) and also as a secondary color on other table settings that have black accents (see one here). I bought these black goblets on Ebay and they were one of the first sets that I bought several years ago. They are Lenox Midnight Mood black glass water goblets and they were made between 1974 and 1982. They are 7 1/4 inches tall. When I started buying goblets I didn’t pay attention to the height but now I like to buy goblets that are at least about 8 inches tall because my table is large and I think they show better.

A dark blue goblet is very versatile, I have used them on patriotic tables as well as table settings for spring (see one here) , summer (see one here), and winter. I bought these blue goblets on Ebay, you can still find them for sale there. They were made by Libbey in the 1970’s and the pattern is Tulip in Dusky Blue.

After black and dark blue, my next most used goblet colors have been lime green and sage green. I bought these lime green goblets at Pier 1 several years ago and I have used them often, on Spring tables (see one here), St. Patrick’s Day tables, Summer tables (see one here), and Fall (see one here) and Thanksgiving tables. They are actually a brighter green than this photo shows, almost a neon green. A bright green goblet is a great choice and it can be used throughout the year.

This photo shows this sage green goblet as a bit brighter and greener than it actually is, I bought them at Pier 1 when I started tablescaping fiftenn years ago. They are actually plastic, I have several plastic goblets and I use them often. Sometimes it is difficult to tell whether goblets are glass or plastic now, the designs have improved so much. As with the lime green goblets above I have used them often, on Spring tables, St. Patrick’s Day tables, Summer tables, and Fall (see one here) and Thanksgiving tables (see one here).

After these goblet colors, the other goblet colors I have used most often over the past several years are (in order of frequency of use) cobalt blue, turquoise, amber, yellow, and brown. (I have other goblet colors that I use less frequently.)

I hope this all gives you some ideas about what color goblets you want to add to your tablescaping collection. Think about some of the table designs you want to create in the next year and that will help you decide what you want to purchase that will be used rather than an impulse buy that will just sit on a shelf gathering dust.

To see over 270 different tablescapes that I have created please click here. If you are on Facebook, join my Table Settings and Tablescape Ideas Facebook group for lots of tablescaping inspiration! Just click on the Facebook Search box at the top of the page and type in Table Settings and Tablescape Ideas or click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2553689988183392

If you live in Southern California join our Facebook tablescaping group Southern California Tablescapers BTS Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/440356398581157 We had a gathering for tablescapers in January 2025 in the Los Angeles area and we are planning another one.

Don’t miss the Tablescape How-To tab at the top of my blog for DIY tips and tricks or click here: https://www.whispersoftheheart.com/tablescapehowto .

I put a new tablescape on my blog every week, please check back!

A Grinchmas Christmas Brunch Tablescape

My daughter and her partner hosted a Grinchmas Christmas Brunch and they borrowed several of my tablescaping items for their party. She is my guest editor this week.

Sara’s guest post: This past weekend, I hosted a seated "Grinchmas" themed brunch for 22 people with one of my good friends. I grew up watching the 1966 version of the cartoon version, and I have always wanted to do a Grinch-themed brunch, so when my friend saw my mother's blog, she suggested we host one together so she could bring her Grinch-themed cookies, and I was all in! I made the invitations on Canva, my favorite easy-to-use graphic design program and then I just texted them out, since the idea for the party was fairly last minute.

It was quite the puzzle to see how to fit everyone in, but I knew I really wanted to try so that I could borrow from my mother's fabulous tablescaping collections rather than use paper goods in an informal setting. I tried switching table setting colors and patterns for every other seat, but then I decided just to match all the side settings, and switch out the heads of the table to keep a more coordinated look.  In addition to our dining room table, which seats eight, we set up 4x6 collapsible plastic craft tables and borrowed an assortment of folding chairs from friends. In the future, I might consider renting the foldable white event chairs or chair covers to make it look more uniform. The green tablecloth probably came from HomeGoods several years ago. The Surmente red polyester tablecloth on the other table came from Amazon. 

Since my mom usually collects most of her flatware, plates, goblets, and napkins in sets of 6 or 12, I knew we would need to mix and match to have enough for 22 people. Mixing and matching place settings creates a more whimsical and "creative" look, perfect for a festive brunch. We selected the key colors of Grinchy green and a true, bright Christmas red. In the dining room, we set the table with a green tablecloth with a peppermint and green theme. 

We tied all the elements of the two table areas together by choosing two different sets of 12 striped napkins with just slight color variations. You could do the same with other patterns. For napkin rings, I used this package of 24 bendable plastic grinches that my mom ordered from Oriental Trading online. I just bent their arms back and had them hug the napkins from behind. It wasn't tight, but it worked. Having an affordable option with 24 included, also tied the two rooms and theme together really well. The red and green striped napkins came from HomeGoods several years ago.

My mom can’t remember where she found the peppermint striped napkins, she has had them for several years now.

My mother has had these peppermint quilted placemats for some time, and they are getting worn, but they were a great choice for this tablescape.

On the other table I used foam green placemats. My mom has had these placemats for many years now and she can’t remember where they came from.

For the dinner plates, I used a combination of red and white polka dot plates and red peppermint plates. They are both dishwasher safe, though they were both too tall for my dishwasher, so I ended up washing them by hand. These red with white polka dots dinner plates were made by Maxwell & Williams Designer Homewares and the pattern was called Sprinkle. My mom can’t remember where she bought them.

These peppermint design dinner plates are labeled fashion plates Ultra Durable Fine China and the pattern was called Tuxedo Rouge. My mom can’t remember where she found these plates either.

The three salad plate designs (or many people just used the smaller plate for the meal and the dinner plate as a charger) were a porcelain Grinch salad plate from Williams Sonoma and a Grinch melamine set of Grinch faces and Who Hash that my father found at Hobby Lobby. 

This green flatware that I used is called Madeline Green and my mom bought it at World Market several years ago.

This Milano Red flatware is Ginkgo International LePrix. My mom has had this set for years and she is not sure where she bought it.

My mom bought these green acrylic goblets at Pier 1 many years ago.

My mom bought these green acrylic goblets a couple of years ago online at Home Depot. They are made by Certified International and they come in other colors as well.

The centerpieces included a big Grinch cookie jar my mother got at HomeGoods several years ago, some of her Raz Imports Cone Peppermint Trees that she bought on Amazon a few years ago, and a couple of green furry trees that I ordered on Amazon.

In the background, you can see a Grinch cutout head and hands that I purchased from Amazon. We actually stuck much of the decor up with hot glue; I find it sticks well and peels off the paint when done slowly. 

This year, my fiance gifted me with another artificial Christmas Tree, and we placed it in the dining room so I could decorate it with a Grinch theme.

I found a perfect felt garland at Hallmark this year, took the Grinch faces off the red cord, and put hooks through them to make ornaments.

My mom found several felt Grinch designs on Amazon that could be used as ornaments or decor. 

The Grinch Tree also has Grinch ornaments from Hallmark that I have collected over the years.

The tree topper is a Grinch hat I bought at CVS a few years back, and I stuffed it with paper so that it stands up.

The animatronic Grinch underneath the tree is light and sound activated or just button activated, and he crawls forward with a loud narration about how he's slithering and slinking to steal all the gifts! I found him on sale at Party City for a deep discount. (RIP Party City, no idea what I will do when they go out of business!)

The Grinch on the wall was actually handmade by me with a permanent black marker back in my college days when we had a dorm decorating contest!

The menu included two Christmas Quiches, introduced to us by my Aunt Karen, and they were a big hit, even from at least three people who thought they didn't like quiches. We also had waffles with toppings, donuts, and pastries from our local bakery, and, of course, "Who Hash" (Corned Beef Hash). 

We have a local bakery that makes cakes and custom bakery goods and they had special Grinch donuts.

We also made these "Grinch" snacks from an idea online.  

And of course, Grinch Cookies, that my friend and co-host brought.

Some additional decor included a Grinch chalkboard sign that I got on sale at a non-chain shop in our local mall, a tall Grinch that lights up that I found at CVS, a squishmallow Grinch that was sold at both Vons Grocery store and Hobby Lobby, and other assorted figurines from CVS and Michaels.

My dad found this tray at HomeGoods.

My mom found the Grinch coasters on Etsy.

After Trivia games, Grinch bingo from Hallmark, and a gift exchange, the party was deemed a success! All in all, a good time was had by all!

To see over 270 different tablescapes that my mom has created please click here. If you are on Facebook, join her Tablescape and Table Settings Ideas Facebook group for lots of tablescaping inspiration! Just click on the Facebook Search box at the top of the page and type in Tablescape and Table Settings Ideas or click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2553689988183392

For lots of other Tablescaping DIY tips and tricks click here: https://www.whispersoftheheart.com/tablescapehowto

If you live in Southern California join our Facebook tablescaping group Southern California Tablescapers BTS Group, click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/440356398581157 We are planning a gathering for tablescapers in January 2025 in the Los Angeles area..

My mom puts a new tablescape on her blog every week, please check back!

This blog post was featured at Life and Linda, https://www.lifeandlinda.com/ Please visit this blog you will enjoy it!

Presents on a Christmas Tablescape

This Presents Tablescape has been about two years in the making. I have had this theme idea for some time but it took a while to gathering everything together. I bought the red cotton tablecloth on Amazon several years ago. It is a true Christmas red and they can be difficult to find. My mother loved using red and green at Christmas time and those colors were so much a part of the holiday season when I was growing up. I love continuing that tradition.

These present shaped appetizer or tidbit sized plates were made in a four piece set by Harry and David in 2007. I found them on the secondary market on Ebay. There were four different designs in the set and I love the bold red and green and white colors. You can still find them from time to time on the secondary market.

When I use a smaller appetizer sized plate on top of the plate stack I often add an extra plate to the plate stack because I think that it creates a plate stack that is more pleasing to the eye because of the size difference. In this case, this simple white plate emphasizes the white color on the appetizer plates. I bought these plain white salad plates at HomeGoods when I started tablescaping several years ago because I knew I would need some simple white plates of various sizes. The back of the plate is marked Gibson Elite bone china.

There is a bit of a glare on these red melamine dinner plates, they are prettier than this photo shows. They were made by Certified International and I bought them at JCPenney online a few months ago. The pattern is called Perlette and they are a heavy melamine. I really like the beaded design around the edge of the plate and it nicely matches the edge of the charger as well.

Hubby bought these chargers at the Dollar Store a couple of years ago and then spray-painted them Kelly Green for me so that I could use them on my Christmas tablescapes. This is such an easy and inexpensive way to find a charger to match your tablescape design.

I bought this frosted white flatware on sale online at Wayfair several years ago, it was made by Cambridge. It is 18/0 so the fork tines are a bit sharper than I would like but I really liked the frosted color. You can read my blog post about what to consider when you are buying flatware here.

I can’t remember where I found these metal red, green and white napkin rings, I have had them for a couple of years, but if you google present napkin ring something similar might pop up. To read about the What, Where and How of napkin rings please click here.

The set came with a few different designs.

These red and white glass present place card holders came from Crate and Barrel online a few years ago. I set them on a Oleg Cassini clear glass place card holder. I bought the glass place card holders at HomeGoods several years ago when I first started tablescaping. They are heavy and solid and I really like the simple design. I often use them as a stand for place card holder items. If you read my blog you have seen them several times being used as a stand for something that I am using as a place card holder. To read about the what, where and how of place card holders, please click here.

These hand cut and hand painted red and green glass goblets came from Williams Sonoma online and the pattern is called Wilshire Jewel Cut. I bought them in two sets of four red last year and then two sets of four green this year. Each of the four colored goblets has a different cut design and I matched the designs together on this table setting. You can read my blog post about what to consider when you are buying goblets for your tablescaping collection including the colors that I use most often here.

Hubby found this metal present box at an estate sale last year and he painted it Christmas colors for me. I knew I wanted this tablescape to be red, green, and white and so it was easy to choose the colors for this centerpiece.

I decided to add bright red and green salt and pepper sets to this tablescape if I could find them and Amazon came through with these Brighter Barns sets.

How I love using the combination of red and green at Christmas time!

To see over 270 different tablescapes that I have created please click here. If you are on Facebook, join my new Tablescape and Table Settings Ideas Facebook group for lots of tablescaping inspiration! Just click on the Facebook Search box at the top of the page and type in Tablescape and Table Settings Ideas or click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2553689988183392

For lots of other Tablescaping DIY tips and tricks click here: https://www.whispersoftheheart.com/tablescapehowto

If you live in Southern California join our Facebook tablescaping group Southern California Tablescapers BTS Group, click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/440356398581157 We are planning a gathering for tablescapers in January in the Los Angeles area..

I put a new tablescape on my blog every week, please check back!

A Santa Claus Christmas Tablescape

This Santa Claus Tablescape is similar to one that I did five years ago but I made a few changes to this one. There are some elements on this tablescape that I absolutely love. I bought the red tablecloth on Amazon several years ago. It is a true Christmas red and they can be difficult to find. My mother loved red and green at Christmas time and those colors were so much a part of the holiday season when I was growing up. I love continuing that tradition. I bought the Santa and Mrs. Claus chair covers online many years ago but I can’t remember where.

I really love this Santa face salad plate. These salad plates and the centerpiece Santa cookie jar and candlesticks were part of Fitz and Floyd’s Peppermint Santa tableware series that was produced between 2008 and 2010. I have several pieces of this series that I collected over the years online from different sites. You can still find some of the pieces on the secondary market from time to time. It is really the cutest Santa face that I have seen so far on a plate. I have the same plate in a smaller appetizer size as well.

There is a bit of a glare on this red melamine dinner plate, it is prettier than the photo shows. They were made by Certified International and I bought them at JCPenney online. The pattern is called Perlette and they are a heavy melamine.

Hubby bought these chargers at the Dollar Store a couple of years ago and he spray-painted them Kelly Green for me so that I could use them on my Christmas tablescapes.

I bought this frosted white flatware on sale online at Wayfair several years ago, it was made by Cambridge. It is 18/0 so the fork tines are a bit sharper than I would like but I really liked the frosted color. You can read my blog post about what to consider when you are buying flatware here.

I can’t remember where I bought these Kelly Green napkins. I think the ceramic Santa face napkin rings came from Ebay a few years ago. To read about the What, Where and How of napkin rings please click here.

I love these Santa place card holders. I have had them for a long time and I can’t remember where I bought them. To read about the what, where, and how of place card holders, please click here.

These Santa goblets are favorites of mine. I bought them online several years ago but I can’t remember where and I haven’t seen anything like them since. I love the face and the painting on the stem and the handle is so much fun. The label on the bottom says burton + BURTON. The green glass goblets come from The Vermont Country Store. They are made in the United States by Mosser and the pattern is called Georgia. They are really heavy glass and very good quality. I have bought a few at a time over the years.

This Santa cookie jar centerpiece is from Fitz and Floyd’s Peppermint Santa tableware series made between 2008 and 2010. I bought it on Ebay many years ago.

The candlesticks were also part of the Peppermint Santa series. I found them on Ebay as well several years ago.

This is the matching Peppermint Santa salt and pepper set that I bought at the same time as the other items.

To see over 270 different tablescapes that I have created please click here. If you are on Facebook, join my new Tablescape and Table Settings Ideas Facebook group for lots of tablescaping inspiration! Just click on the Facebook Search box at the top of the page and type in Tablescape and Table Settings Ideas or click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2553689988183392

For lots of other Tablescaping DIY tips and tricks click here: https://www.whispersoftheheart.com/tablescapehowto

If you live in Southern California join our Facebook tablescaping group Southern California Tablescapers BTS Group, click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/440356398581157 We are planning a gathering for tablescapers in January 2025 in the Los Angeles area..

I put a new tablescape on my blog every week, please check back!

This blog post was featured at The Cottage Market, https://thecottagemarket.com/ and Miz Helen’s Country Cottage, https://www.mizhelenscountrycottage.com/ Please visit these blogs for lots of great ideas and recipes!