Doing any entertaining this holiday? Of course you are! Here are a few quick tips!
And, here are a couple of decorating and entertaining questions I've been asked:
- How do you decorate for a holiday party if you don’t celebrate Christmas?
This really depends on how specifically “not Christmas” you want it to be. But, you can certainly decorate with things that are sparkly, and with greenery, pine cones, berries, and things that are really wintry. Those options are beautiful and not specifically Christmas. And, don’t forget candles. When in doubt, add candles. When in doubt, add more candles.
- I have a small budget…what decorations should I buy to make the biggest impact?
I would say do a little each year and build. If you have the foundation, you can always build. First, get the greenery that you’ll use every year, so some good-quality garland and a tree with clear lights. If you have a tight budget, especially, it pays to buy a faux tree…one purchase and you’re done. The lights don’t have to be messed with and replaced, not mention there’s no watering, needles, etc. Real trees are beautiful, but one good tree can last for years.
Then, if you can start adding ribbon—good wired ribbon, and make bows, you can use those on the garland, on the tree, and you can reuse those every year. If you’re looking for other things, like to add sparkle, again, go with candles or some glittery trees. You stack them and make little landscapes. And, when you put them around the house it really makes a difference.
- My decorations look shabby and misshapen when I get them out of storage. How do you keep your decorations looking pristine year to year?
One of the things that helps is I have a wall in my basement that’s unfinished and I put up tracks, so all my garland and ribbon I hang on the racks—they’re never stuffed into a box. Beyond that, it’s important to have things organized and have containers to separate decorations and ornaments. I don’t necessarily keep ornaments in the boxes they came in unless they’re specifically storage boxes. But definitely invest in ornament-storage so they’re protected.
- I want my home to smell like the holidays. What do you suggest?
There are two great ways to fill your home with a great fragrance…the first is really great candles. I love flameless candles, but I have real ones as well because I like the fragrance. You need something that’s cinnamon, apple cider, or balsam fir and those kinds of fragrances always make it smell very holiday.
The second thing you can do—if you use artificial trees and garlands like me—is get a real balsam wreath and use it as a place setting. You can put a candle inside and it’s beautiful. That will give you that wintry fragrance in your home.
- I want to have a holiday party but I don’t cook & I’ve never had anything catered...how much food should I get? And what?
That’s tough—I always have way too much food. But there are a lot of foods you can buy that are pretty much done. For example, most gourmet food on QVC is done—you’re heating it up. Look for things that are easy. If you’re hosting a casual party, get foods that are portable and easy to eat. If you’re serving dinner, you can get things that are more complicated. If you don’t cook, trying to cook will make you so stressed out you won’t have any fun at your party. If you’re not used to entertaining, you’ll have enough stress with that alone. Make things as easy on yourself as possible.
See you Friday at 10pm ET for more holiday decor on A Lisa Robertson Christmas.
—Lisa
P.S. Did you see me on bethennytoday? If not, here's the clip! :)