Caroline Harrison Christmas: 15 Hand Painted China and Victorian Tree Ideas That Look Like Pricey Heirlooms
A Caroline Harrison Christmas is the perfect excuse to pick up a paintbrush and turn plain white dishes into treasures. Caroline Harrison was first lady from 1889 to 1892, and she loved china painting. She gathered the china of past presidents into what became the White House china collection, and she designed her own official White House china. She also had the first White House Christmas tree put up. Her love of orchids even made them the flower of state receptions. That mix of Victorian charm and painted porcelain makes a lovely holiday theme today. Thrift stores are full of white plates, cups and saucers for a dollar or two. Add a little paint, some lace and a few gold touches, and your home looks like a grand parlor. Swipe through all fifteen ideas, from painted plates to a tea basket gift..
Caroline Harrison Christmas Starts With Hand Painted Holly Plates
Picture a stack of plain thrift store plates turning into heirloom china in one afternoon. That is the heart of a Caroline Harrison Christmas table. Green holly leaves, red berries and a thin gold rim make simple white dishes look rich and old fashioned. You can read about her china painting and her White House years in this Caroline Harrison biography. Use paint made for porcelain and bake it to set the design. For more inspiration, browse these decoupage Christmas plates. Start with one plate and you will want to paint the full set..
You will need: plain white thrifted plates, porcelain paint in green, red and gold, fine round brushes, a pencil, rubbing alcohol, cotton pads, an oven.
How to make it: 1. Clean each plate with rubbing alcohol and lightly sketch holly leaves around the edge. 2. Paint the leaves green, dot on red berries and brush a thin gold line on the rim. 3. Let it dry 24 hours, then bake as the paint label says, with adult help. Use food safe paint, or keep the plate for display only.
Orchid Painted Dessert Plates
Caroline Harrison loved orchids so much that they became the flower of White House state receptions. Painted orchids in soft purple and white make dessert plates that feel elegant and a little unexpected for the holidays. The petals are simple teardrop strokes, so they are easier than they look. These plates are also a sweet match for the one stroke painting method. Set them out with Christmas cookies and watch guests pick them up for a closer look.
You will need: small white dessert plates, porcelain paint in purple, white, green and gold, a round brush, a liner brush, cotton pads.
How to make it: 1. Paint five teardrop petals for each orchid in purple and white. 2. Add a small center and thin green leaves. 3. Finish with a gold rim, let it dry and bake as the label says, with adult help.
Caroline Harrison Christmas Porcelain Disc Ornaments
Blank porcelain discs from the craft store are like tiny plates you can hang on the tree. Paint each one with holly, berries and a gold edge, and you have a set of ornaments that look like china keepsakes. This is a gentle way to try the Caroline Harrison Christmas hobby before you paint a full dinner set. Find more ideas in these hand painted ornaments. Write the year on the back with a paint pen to make them family treasures.
You will need: blank porcelain or ceramic disc ornaments, porcelain paint, fine brushes, gold paint pen, red velvet ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Wipe each disc clean. 2. Paint a small holly sprig in the center and add red berry dots. 3. Trace the edge with gold, bake if needed and tie on a velvet ribbon loop.
Gold Rimmed Glass Baubles
Clear glass baubles are cheap, and a little paint turns them into something you would find in an antique shop. A thin gold band and a few holly sprigs echo the gold edged china of the Victorian era. Hang them close to the lights so the glass sparkles. For more glass projects, see these painted wine glass ideas. Rest each bauble in a cup while it dries so it does not roll.
You will need: clear glass baubles, glass paint in gold, green and red, a fine brush, a cup to hold each bauble, ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Remove the cap and wipe the glass clean. 2. Paint a gold band around the middle and add small holly sprigs. 3. Let it dry in a cup, replace the cap and add ribbon.
A Victorian Tree for a Caroline Harrison Christmas
Caroline Harrison had the first White House Christmas tree put up, so a Victorian style tree is the centerpiece of this theme. Long garlands of cream lace and red velvet ribbon wrap the branches in soft swags. Mix in gold baubles and your painted ornaments for a parlor look. See how royals dressed their trees in this Queen Victoria Christmas gallery. Use battery fairy lights for a safe glow.
You will need: a green Christmas tree, cream lace trim, red velvet ribbon, gold baubles, painted ornaments, battery fairy lights.
How to make it: 1. Wrap battery fairy lights deep in the branches first. 2. Drape lace and velvet ribbon in loose swags from top to bottom. 3. Hang gold baubles and painted ornaments in the gaps.
Hand Painted Holly Cake Stand
A plain white cake stand becomes the star of the dessert table with a ring of painted holly. It looks lovely under a frosted cake topped with sugared cranberries. Paint only the outer edge so the food sits on clean glaze. For more ways to style a stand, see these tiered tray Christmas ideas. This also makes a beautiful hostess gift with a box of cookies on top.
You will need: a white ceramic cake stand, porcelain paint in green, red and gold, a round brush, rubbing alcohol.
How to make it: 1. Clean the stand and mark a ring about 1 inch from the edge. 2. Paint holly leaves around the ring and dot on berries. 3. Let it dry and bake as the label says, with adult help.
Caroline Harrison Christmas Saucer Candy Dishes
Single saucers often sit alone at thrift stores, and they make perfect little candy dishes. Paint a red poinsettia in the center and a gold rim, then fill them with peppermints. Wrapped in cellophane with a red bow, they are charming Caroline Harrison Christmas gifts for neighbors and teachers. Find more cheap gift ideas in these neighbor Christmas gifts. Make a batch of six in one sitting.
You will need: thrifted white saucers, porcelain paint in red, green and gold, a brush, wrapped candies, clear cellophane, red ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Paint a poinsettia of five red petals in the center. 2. Add green leaves and a gold rim, then bake as the label says, with adult help. 3. Fill with candy, wrap in cellophane and tie a bow.
Gold Swirl Serving Platter
A big oval platter gives you room for a fancy border. Gold swirls and green holly at the ends make it look like a piece from a grand old dining room. Keep the center plain so you can serve on it. For more gold and glamour, see these Biltmore Christmas ideas. A paint pen makes the swirls easy to control if you are new to brushes.
You will need: a white oval platter, a gold porcelain paint pen, green and red porcelain paint, a small brush.
How to make it: 1. Practice the swirl on paper first. 2. Draw swirls around the rim with the gold pen and paint holly at each end. 3. Let it dry and bake as the label says, with adult help.
Caroline Harrison Christmas Tea Set Gift Basket
A hand painted teapot and two cups in a basket is a gift anyone would treasure. Paint pink roses and holly for a sweet Caroline Harrison Christmas look, then tuck in loose tea and cinnamon sticks. A plaid bow on the handle finishes it off. Get more ideas for filling baskets in these DIY gift baskets. Match the colors to the person who will receive it.
You will need: a white teapot, two white teacups, porcelain paint, a basket, loose tea, cinnamon sticks, shred filler, plaid ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Paint simple roses and holly on the teapot and cups, then bake as the label says, with adult help. 2. Fill the basket with shred and nestle the set inside. 3. Add tea and cinnamon sticks and tie a bow.
Winter Berry Teapot
A painted teapot brings a cozy Victorian feeling to any winter afternoon. Red winter berries, pine sprigs and a gold lid edge are easy shapes for beginners. Set it on a lace doily with shortbread and you have an instant tea party. Pair it with these painted Christmas mugs for a full set. Paint only the outside so the inside stays plain glaze.
You will need: a white ceramic teapot, porcelain paint in red, green and gold, small brushes, a lace doily.
How to make it: 1. Paint clusters of red berry dots around the body. 2. Add short pine needle strokes in green and a gold line on the lid. 3. Let it dry and bake as the label says, with adult help.
Caroline Harrison Christmas Place Setting
Bring all your painted pieces together on the table. A gold charger, a holly painted plate, a crystal glass and a red linen napkin create a Caroline Harrison Christmas place setting that looks like a state dinner. Add a sprig of evergreen on each napkin. For more table styling, see this Emily Post Christmas table gallery. Thrifted gold chargers cost very little after the holidays.
You will need: gold chargers, painted holly plates, crystal or clear glasses, red linen napkins, evergreen sprigs.
How to make it: 1. Set a gold charger at each seat. 2. Add a painted plate and fold the napkin on top. 3. Tuck an evergreen sprig into each napkin and set the glass at the top right.
Victorian Tinsel Star Topper
A sparkly gold star finishes a Victorian tree. This one is made from gold wire and tinsel garland, so it is light and easy to attach. It catches the light and looks like an antique from a grand parlor. Find more ways to crown your tree in these tree topper ideas. Ask an adult to help bend the wire if it is thick.
You will need: sturdy gold craft wire, gold tinsel garland, pliers, floral wire, a cardboard star template.
How to make it: 1. Bend the gold wire around the star template and twist the ends together, with adult help. 2. Wrap tinsel garland tightly around the wire frame. 3. Twist a short coil of floral wire at the bottom to hold it on the tree.
Caroline Harrison Christmas Orchid Centerpiece
Orchids were her signature flower, so they make a graceful centerpiece for a Caroline Harrison Christmas table. Plant white orchids in a china bowl painted with holly and ring it with evergreen and red berries. It lasts for weeks, which makes it a smart choice for busy holidays. For more table ideas, see these DIY Christmas centerpieces. Water orchids lightly once a week.
You will need: a white china bowl, porcelain paint, 1 or 2 white orchid plants, moss, evergreen sprigs, faux red berries.
How to make it: 1. Paint holly around the bowl and bake as the label says, with adult help. 2. Set the orchids in their pots inside the bowl and cover the tops with moss. 3. Arrange evergreen and berries around the base.
Hand Painted Tile Coasters
Plain white tiles from the hardware store cost less than a dollar each and make great coasters. Paint holly, pine and berries on each one, then add felt dots on the back. Tied in a stack with twine, they are a sweet gift for teachers or neighbors. See more coaster ideas in these DIY Christmas coasters. Seal them well so mugs do not leave marks.
You will need: 4 inch white ceramic tiles, porcelain paint, small brushes, clear sealer, felt dots, twine.
How to make it: 1. Paint a simple holly or pine design on each tile. 2. Bake as the paint label says, with adult help, then seal. 3. Stick felt dots on the back and tie the stack with twine.
Painted Plate for Santa’s Cookies
Every family needs a special plate for Christmas Eve cookies. A painted holly wreath around the rim makes it a tradition you will bring out year after year. Kids can help paint the berries. Make the night extra special with ideas from these Christmas Eve boxes. Store the plate wrapped in a towel with your holiday decor.
You will need: a white dinner plate, porcelain paint in green and red, a round brush, a cotton swab for berry dots.
How to make it: 1. Paint a ring of holly leaves around the rim. 2. Dip a cotton swab in red paint and dot berries between the leaves. 3. Let it dry and bake as the label says, with adult help.
