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Print this pageHost for the Holidays
Hold your own fabulous Christmas party with a few planning tips from local experts.
Your friends are probably attending several Christmas parties this year. Wondering how to make your event the one that they enjoy the most? We talked to local experts about seasonal trends and how to incorporate them into a stellar holiday celebration. Read on for tips on hosting a party with the prettiest place settings, the yummiest food and the best holiday décor.
Setting The Table
Sandra Harrison, owner of Gamble’s Gifts (2704 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-881-7555, giftsspringfieldmo.com) says that decorating the table with class can go a long way. If you have china, you should definitely use it at your holiday table setting. And if it’s your style, feel free to use seasonally-themed pieces. The china can be paired with a variety of centerpieces, which can include ribbons, candles or placemats, depending on the size of the table.
Host
for the
Holidays
Hold your own fabulous Christmas party with a few planning tips from local experts.
By Karen Bliss
Your friends are probably attending several Christmas parties this year. Wondering how to make your event the one that they enjoy the most? We talked to local experts about seasonal trends and how to incorporate them into a stellar holiday celebration. Read on for tips on hosting a party with the prettiest place settings, the yummiest food and the best holiday décor.
Setting The Table
Sandra Harrison, owner of Gamble’s Gifts (2704 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-881-7555, giftsspringfieldmo.com) says that decorating the table with class can go a long way. If you have china, you should definitely use it at your holiday table setting. And if it’s your style, feel free to use seasonally-themed pieces. The china can be paired with a variety of centerpieces, which can include ribbons, candles or placemats, depending on the size of the table.
Harrison’s Table-Setting Tips:
1. Use lots of color. The color can be used in your place mats, a centerpiece or ribbon that runs down the center of the table.
2. Go bold! Pair colors with classic pieces and gold and silver to make a statement.
3. Incorporate candlelight, and play holiday background music.
Feeding the Guests
Jill Barron, owner of Infused Catering (1645 W. Republic Rd., Suite B2, Springfield, 417-818-8417, 417catering.com), says it’s a big trend to serve small things this season. Serving bite-sized portions and appetizer items is currently a popular theme in party hosting. And when it comes to planning a menu, appetizer options are vast, which is a definite plus.
When you combine a few favorites, they provide a plentiful meal. “You could serve appetizers like bacon-wrapped dates, mini sandwiches and artichoke dip,” Barron says.
Another plus to serving appetizers is mobility. With small, bite-sized portions, you can set up plates and allow guests to make their own dishes, and then they can enjoy them as they walk and talk. This also means you do not have to worry about proper place settings and table centerpieces.
Jill Barron’s Food-Focused Party Tips:
1. Plan out your menu. Make a grocery list and shop ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about it at the last minute.
2. Consider hiring an event host. If you do, you won’t have to sweat the small stuff, such as making sure everyone’s glass is full.
3. If you don’t have china or stemware to use, consider renting it. This can be a much more affordable option than buying it and looks just as nice.
The Décor
Judie Pittman, owner of Boomland Square Gifts and Home Décor (1996 W. Elm St., Ozark, 417-581-6512, boomland.com), has many ideas for adding a little holiday spirit to the home. When it comes to current trends, Pittman says it’s popular to include more masculine colors and a natural look into your holiday décor. “Color-wise, the coppers, browns and moss-colored greens are really popular,” Pittman says. “A lot of people will do different themes for different rooms. Decorating in burlap is also really popular for that natural woodland look.”
Pittman says mesh that comes in Christmas colors is also a popular item to use in your holiday décor, and there’s a major plus: It’s inexpensive. “You can use it on wreaths, you can weave it into a Christmas tree or you could just put it on the door,” she says. “It’s a very inexpensive way to decorate. It’s about $10 for 10 yards of it.”
Judie Pittman’s Decorating Tips:
1. Add color to the room. Depending on the room, you can incorporate color by adding colorful ornaments to your tree, using different colored placemats or adding new pillows to your couch.
2. Dress up your candles. This can be done with bows, greenery and simple add-ons.
3. Decorate with holly. Decorative holly can be incorporated in many rooms of the house.
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