I don't own any, but I'd like to.   It's a bit impractical for my household of 6 (plus guests) - we don't have the room to store a set of dishes that'll only be dug out once a year.   I am a "Christmas Junkie" as my family would put it, but I haven't been able to convince myself to buy the Christmas china that I have been eyeing for 10 years now.  No one in my family has picked up on my less than subtle hints that I would LOVE to get the Christmas china I've seen at the warehouse club!   I've dropped the hint for 10 years now, and my totally clueless family hasn't got it! LOL!

I compromised by buying a set of inexpensive dishes that are trimmed with a simple border of red and green for our first Christmas Eve dinner party, and I can use them for other occasions as well.  The problem with that is that while the number of guests have grown since our first Christmas Eve dinner, I have been unable to buy more of the same pattern because it's been discontinued.  

My solution?   I bought a set of inexpensive white china, and try to make it look like an eclectic, rather than mismatched, collection.   When I'm setting the table, I alternate the red/green trimmed plates with the plain white ones.

To add Christmas flair, I use Christmas themed cloth napkins.  On Dec. 1, I pull out our collection of Christmas mugs and display them in the kitchen.   Theoretically, I put them back into storage at the end of the season, but I distinctly remember one year when it suddenly dawned on me in September that I was still drinking my tea from a Christmas mug! 

No, I don't think it's impractical for you to buy a single place setting for yourself, if it is something that you will enjoy!    So, go on, knock yourself out, get the prettiest Christmas china plate setting you can find and enjoy it for both of us!

I did at one time have Christmas china but as the pieces got broken I didn't replace them.  We usually just eat out of Christmas theamed stryofoam plates but I do have 20 Christmas themed glassed some with snowflake patterns some with candy canes my favorite. A long time ago arby's used to sell those Christmas theamed stemed glass I have a set of those they are very pretty when I did have Christmas china the table really looked pretty so if you would like to buy china for yourself go ahead and get I don't think it would be unfrugal because you are trying to start new truditions and that would be a good start I don't understand why your friends don't invite you for Christmas dinner we always have other people over if you lived in my area you would be more than welcome to join us for Christmas dinner.

The frugal side of me says china just for one holiday is wasteful of money and space.

The tradition loving side of me says holidays are meant to be celebrated and spirtual ones deserve the sacredness and joy of special things. I have special Christmas mugs for coffee and cocoa during the holidays but have not done special dishes. A nice table setting and dishes for the holidays are something I would actually love to have.

I have a set of Christmas china a gift from my MIL I inherited her set and Aunt Pats ..  I love it .. for Thanksgiving we use my fancy China .. it part of the tradition of the holiday ..  and the silverware  . fancy glassware .. we even dress for dinner .

timzagain:

My solution?   I bought a set of inexpensive white china, and try to make it look like an eclectic, rather than mismatched, collection.   When I'm setting the table, I alternate the red/green trimmed plates with the plain white ones.

My DH has china that he got at some point in his previous marriage and he has a set of real silverware.  I'm not a huge fan of the china he has b/c it's pink and blue flowers -- that's just not "me".  But I was thinking of finding some basic white and then mixing them up whenever we need more than the 8 settings (or so) that we have.  I love tables that are set with pieces that have been picked up here and there as you spot something you like so that's ultimately what I would love to have.  My family is pretty casual so I'm used to having either mix-n-match place settings or paper/styrofoam plates.  My home will hopefully be the same way.

I have holiday CHINET, does that count?

I think it's completely practical to have a place setting or two of holiday china! It's good for the soul. May I suggest Pfaltzgraff? I know the factory outlet store in Williamsburg is no longer there, but if you go to their website you'll probably find plenty of it on sale. They have great clearance sales. I know because my aunt worked for them for several years. Thanks to her, I've got more Pfaltzgraff than I know what to do with! LOL  They've got at least half a dozen different Christmas patterns; if you like Lenox, as you mentioned, you'd probably love the Pfaltzgraff Winterberry pattern. You can get just one place setting, or even just a plate, a cup and saucer, and perhaps a luncheon plate, if that's all you want.

 You can often find holiday themed china at thrift stores or yard sales. I found eight place settings of one of the Pfaltzgraff Christmas patterns a couple of years ago at a yard sale. I thought there were only four settings in the box, but when I got it home, there were eight! And it was only five dollars for the whole box.   Or check Target--they often have very pretty holiday china for very little money! Good luck, VNW, hope you find something full of holiday spirit!  You deserve it!