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A Vintage Holiday Tablescape

By Rachel

published 12/18/2020

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Last Updated on December 15, 2023 by Rachel Granholm

“O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum!” This post is going to show you how to create a vintage holiday tablescape!

My heritage is German so naturally these stunning Christmas dishes spoke to me when I spotted them in an antique store years ago. My collection has grown quite a bit over the years. These dishes create for a beautiful table setting for your holiday celebrations. The purpose of today’s blog is to teach you the history behind these celebrated red dishes as well as some creative ideas on how to use them. Let’s create a vintage holiday tablescape using Waechtersbach Christmas dishes!

A Vintage Holiday Tablescape

Bright and bold, featuring vintage-like colors of red, green, and white, it’s no wonder that Waechtersbach (pronouced waechters-bach) Christmas dishes have been revered for so many years.

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Originating in Germany, these dishes are heralded for their bright colors as well as the way in which they were created. These vintage dishes make for such an awe-inspiring display and are perfect to use for a vintage holiday tablescape!

History of Waechtersbach Christmas Dishes

The manufacturer Waechtersbach has produced the quality ceramic dinnerware since 1832.

Wachtersbach has been distributed in the United States through Waechtersbach USA since 1975. Waechtersbach products are known for their vivid colors, dazzling glaze work, and contemporary designs.

Timeless and charming, these dishes were created with care and craftsmanship that is decades old.

In 1829, white clay was found in Schlierbach Forest near Frankfurt.

In the spring of 1832, an overseer, Johann Scharff, took a look at that clay and found it to be exquisite for the use and manufacturing of Earthenware. On June 8, 1832, the Earthenware factory was opened in the town of Schlierbach and was named ‘Waechtersbacher Earthenware’.

Through that factory came thousands of carefully made and beautifully glazed ceramic dishes.

Ceramic products, such as Waechtersbach, are largely handmade. They get their final shape and appearance through being fired in a kiln that is around 2,012 degrees Fahrenheit! The result is quality, attractive dinnerware that are each thoughtfully created.

The Christmas Tree pattern in these vintage Christmas dishes, in production since 1976, was discontinued from production in 2012. This collection was the most popular Waechtersbach Christmas pattern, making it even more loved and cherished today.

Styling a Table Using Waechtersbach Christmas Dishes

I absolutely love taking out these Christmas dishes each holiday season. The vintage red and green colors add such a cozy nostalgia to my home.

Here are some creative ways to use vintage Christmas dishes:

smaller bowls make cute candy dishes
use a shallow bowl on the kitchen counter to hold your sponge and dish soap for the season
arrange coffee mugs and carafe on a large platter for a cozy Christmas coffee area
place a jar candle on a small plate or bowl
create a pretty table scape for a festive dining experience
you could use the two tier serving tray as a centerpiece by arranging holiday greenery on it
the glass jars from the collection would like pretty arranged together amongst vintage bottle brush trees
the use of brass or copper elements combined with the red dishes creates a satisfying statement!

Closing Tidbits

I hope you find inspiration today to seek out some vintage Christmas dishes of your own. A holiday tablescape using Waechtersbach Christmas dishes is stunning with so many different layers and textures. They will add festive cheer to your special celebrations and will bring that cheer year after year. May you find joy in the little things this holiday season. Merry Christmas!

Let me know in the comments below if you tried a holiday tablescape and how it turned out for you!

If you are new here, I’m Rachel, the writer and content creator here at The Antiqued Journey. I’m so happy to have you! I encourage you to stop by the ‘about me’ page to get to know me a little more.

Here on the blog, you will find loads of inspiration for decorating with vintage and antique decor, simple DIY crafts and many thrifting adventures. If that interests you, I invite you to sign up for my e-mail. You will receive a free digital download as a thank you!