Thanksgiving is a memory and Christmas is just around the corner. To help you with all the festivities, big or small, we asked a few designers for their favorite “do or don’t” for holiday entertaining. One of the best tips offered by designer, Melissa Rufty, “Don’t wait for a holiday to entertain! Open your home often to family and friends!” We couldn’t agree more.
Janie Molster, Janie Molster Designs
Do everything ahead in meal prep so that you are a calm, cool, and collected host. There’s nothing more unsettling for a guest than a harried host rushing about in the kitchen. My secret entertaining tip: It’s easy to get distracted when you are hosting a party so I always have an index card discreetly tucked away in the kitchen with a schedule and a menu checklist (too many morning-after’s when I have discovered a dish in the fridge that never made it to the buffet).
Don’t clutter up your home with too many holiday knick-knacks. We entertain so much at Christmas and with guests in and out, your house should look its’ best. Choose holiday decor that will enhance your home and not distract from it. The simplicity of fresh greens, fruit, and soft candlelight is often enough. And maybe think twice about the Santa toaster cozy and the Rudolph door mat.
Anne Dutcher, Anne Dutcher Interiors
Do: Have a fabulous table setting. Mixing it up is the key for me. Blended china patterns, crystal, and silver always add interest to any dinner party. Table floral arrangements are usually all slightly different, but always connected by color or theme. And don’t forget the place cards!
Josh Hildreth, Josh Hildreth Interiors
Do: Use your best and keep the food on the simple side. Create an ambiance that is festive and special – get the old silver out and the linen napkins; light candles and put a fire in the fireplace. And let the food be straightforward, plentiful and easy for guests to manage – ham biscuits, poached salmon, asparagus, Christmas cookies.
Don’t: cheese cubes and toothpicks
Mallory Mathison Glenn, Mallory Mathison Inc.
Do: Make sure that guests have a drink in hand with great background music playing.
Don’t: Don’t sweat the small stuff! Only you know what you had planned but didn’t have time pull off!
Barbara Westbrook, Westbrook Interiors
Do: Find ways to give back.
Don’t: Stress out.
Pebbles Nix, Pebbles Nix Interiors
Do: Use fresh greenery wherever and however you enjoy throughout your house during the holidays! It’s presence and fragrance will envelope your home and add so much natural beauty whether it is fresh greenery on the mantle or up the banister.
Carolyn Kendall, Alcott Interiors
Do: Share the holidays in a very special way with those you love and take the time to get away from the hustle and bustle of work to enjoy each other. From baking to decorating to events such as touring the lights of our very own Cheekwood in Nashville with cider in hand…much to cherish and look forward to.
Debi Davis, Debi Davis Interior Design
Do: Keep it simple. People are already rushed and stressed during the holidays, so it’s nice to host a smaller, more intimate, and casual gathering. This gives you time to enjoy and spend with each guest and your guests feel like they can truly relax.
Kelley Proxmire, Kelley Proxmire Inc.
Do: Plan ahead! Decide which items in your home need “refreshing” (tired lampshades, ailing plants, tarnished silver, etc.) and fix weeks in advance. Then create lists of food, décor and beverages, glassware, etc. should be planned with timeline included.
Marie Flanagan, Marie Flanigan Interiors
Do: Be prepared to entertain on the fly! I always have wine and simple appetizers on hand that I can whip up in a hurry should an impromptu party present itself.
Melinda James, M. James Design Group
Do: Designing and entertaining go hand in hand. So, creating a mood by dimming lights, lighting lots of candles, placing an abundance of fresh flowers and seasonal greenery around is my favorite thing to do.
Traci Zeller, Traci Zeller Interiors
Do: Keep it simple. The holidays can be so hectic; all that truly matters in entertaining is enjoying time with family and friends. Forget the self-imposed pressure!
