How to Get Ready for Luxurious Holiday Entertaining

As the month of December arrives, many hosts and hostesses need to make an overnight transition from fall decor to winter holiday decorations. How to do that elegantly and easily? Our resident expert on interior design and home decor, Laurie Woods, has the answers. She’s sharing her insider tips on how to get your home ready for luxurious holiday entertaining.

making the transition from fall to the holidays in home decor

Just when we take a moment for a victory lap after dinner for having survived our Fall and Thanksgiving celebrations, we discover that the start of the holiday season is less than 12 hours away. The moment Thanksgiving ends, the winter holidays are fast upon us.

Time to get that turkey platter packed away and prep for the winter festivities.

how to get ready for luxurious holiday entertaining

Here are 12 tried-and-true insider tips on how to get ready for the holiday entertaining season in 48 hours or less.

1. Clear the decks

In no other season is de-cluttering more important than the winter holidays. Beyond the need to pack away the obvious autumn decor, it’s also time to give some serious consideration to the amount of space that is required for holiday decor and for gracious entertaining.

Horizontal surfaces like mantels, bars, and occasional tables should be clear enough to accommodate holiday decorations as well as treats and service. Don’t make the mistake of just adding holiday decorations to your usual decor. That will result in visual clutter and not an inch remaining to put down a drink. In addition to a tree, space is needed for guests (planned and impromptu) to mingle. So maybe that floor lamp needs to be stashed along with some of your usual accessories. You want your holiday entertain space to be reflective of your entertaining self – festive yet free and easy! 

2. Add the Lights 

Yes, we all love the sparkle of a thousand well placed Christmas lights. But for us mere mortals, there are easier – but still effective – options. Check out this example of simply hanging the basic white lights straight in front of a built in bookcase. 

Or combined in different shapes as a festive welcome in a Foyer. Here, even a bike gets the illumination treatment. 

And don’t overlook how effective simple candles and ornaments can be used in combination with basic white lights or strands of battery operated led lights. 

Or go for something different with your candle choices with these unique tapers from Ferm Living.

Alternatively, make your statement with the candle holders. From striking taper holders like this beautiful menorah to dramatic votive holders such as these from Lalique, a statement candle holder can light up a room.

3. Put a ring on it

Whether as a first welcome at the front door or hung unexpectedly off center in your den, a wreath is a classic shape that lends itself to many interpretations. Design guru and personality Sarah Richardson took the natural wreaths available at her local florist, draped each with a colorful stain ribbon and hung them together over a fireplace.  Voila – effortless style and a striking holiday focal point. Or go minimalist, like these adorned wire rings.

 

A Hanukkah take on the wreath is equally beautiful. 

The classic wreath motif can even filter down to the treats served to your guests. 

4. Layer it up – horizontally and vertically

When it’s time to set out bowls, platters and cheese boards boards, always try to vary the height of your service pieces. Not only does this create more visual interest. This technique can also create more space by allowing low platters to fit around a cake stand and other pedestals. PHOTO 12  PHOTO 13

A classic and versatile option is this large stand from Simon Pearce. For a more casual vibe, who could resist cheese & dried fruits offered on this wood pedestal from One King’s Lane? Or let this tiered showstopper from L’Objet be the object of your serving desires. 

Keep the layering going vertically, too. For instance, hang one or more of those wreathes on a framed mirror, or even on artwork.

5. Go off-center

Asymmetry can be more modern, less formal, and often more engaging. For your holiday Open House, try draping the table runner off center perpendicular to the length of your table rather than centered down the length of your table as expected. Place your candles and other decor on the fabric, freeing up the rest of the table for food service.

Asymmetry can also create drama – try these off center mantle decorations for an eye catching statement, like this one by Designer Kelly Hopster (bottom right).

6. Add the Sounds

Let’s remember it’s not all about the visuals. The audible can also have holiday connotations. These handmade Amish sleigh bells are an easy addition that are both decorative and welcoming

And let’s tackle your Winter Holiday Playlist – your music choices for this season can be fraught with cliches. Unless you are a diehard traditionalist (or in my opinion a masochist), you will want to avoid Bing Crosby’s White Christmas and the Mariah Carey ear worm All I Want for Christmas Is You.

But there are lots of sources for great alternative seasonal songs to play at your next soirée. In addition to our Dandelion Chandelier December Playlist (our first choice!) you can find jazz tunes like Cool Yule by Louis Armstrong and an upbeat Greensleeves by Jonathan Coltrane here. And who can resist the song title Arabesque Cookie by Duke Ellington? 

If Jazz isn’t your bag, find gems like No Doubt’s Oi to the World and Anyway It’s Christmas by !!! on Esquire’s alternative holiday music list.  And no holiday at my house is complete without our family’s fav’s selections from A Colbert Christmas. 

7. Let the treats & gifts serve double duty

Not only will goodies satisfy the sweet tooth and impromptu visitors – under a glass dome or in clear jars, festive foodstuffs also provide instant holiday Kitchen or table decor.  And when arranged on a pretty tray, they are available for instant snacks. Plus the arrangement is easy to relocate if you need a clear counter for meal prep or a casual buffet. 

And these need not be artisanal pastries of meticulously iced Gingerbread men. Add a bag of clementines to a clear glass trifle dish, then let fresh cranberries sift down between the citrus for instant color and style.

Wrapped presents and ornaments can live elsewhere besides the tree. Gifts in a pretty paper and a bowl of ornaments can transform a bookcase into a holiday decor feature with very little effort. 

8. Winter signature cocktail

While it’s great to have wine and craft beer at the ready, decide on a signature cocktail for the season and keep those ingredients in constant supply. First decision – will your choice be a chilled cocktail like the Vodka based Pine Barrens pictured here? Or maybe you want to take the warm and cozy approach with this – Irish whiskey blended with hot fresh mint tea and lemon. Unique and memorable.

9. Treat Yourself

Of course, holiday hosting earns you to right to treat yourself to an indulgent massage or private yoga class. But for real indulgence, give yourself some long term spoiling with this special care dishwasher. 

Since this specialty appliance relieves the hassle of hand washing fine glassware, you are far more likely to use and enjoy your fine crystal.

Or if your preference is an indulgence you can share with lingering guests, go for a faux ermine and silk throw. Cuddling with this – either alone or with someone special – is a just reward for your generous hospitality.

10. Remember to have fun!

And perhaps the most important entertaining tip of all – though at times possibly the hardest to achieve – is to remember to enjoy the festivities yourself. A host who can be flexible and spontaneous (even if not always calm!) sets the mood for a fun gathering more than any food, decorations, and playlist ever could!

that’s how to prepare your home for luxurious holiday entertaining this winter

So from my home to yours – Happy Entertaining!

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Laurie S. Woods, ASID, has been practicing Interior Design for 30+ years with clients from Pebble Beach to Park Avenue.

She loves interpreting her clients’ personal styles and design influences into reflections of their individuality. She views entertaining as one of her most basic and strongest needs. Along with travel, Laurie sees gathering friends for food, wine, and laughter among the best of life’s pleasures.

She lives in New York with her architect husband and spends hours bantering with him over just how tall is too tall for a NYC skyscraper. Learn more at www.lauriewoodsinteriors.com

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