Holiday Series: Last Minute Dinner Party Decor Ideas

Dinner parties are great moments shared with friends and family over food and drinks. However, before your guests taste your delicious food and drinks it's the decor and ambiance that sets the tone to your party. This is especially key with the holidays. 

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When you're hosting a dinner party, the decor extends past the dining table. It starts from the front door then to the sofa and even extends to the powder room. With the holidays a few days away, I've selected a few simple yet stylish accessories that will set a festive tone before your guests arrive. Some of them you may already have, if not I've attached the links below to purchase directly.

Simple Holiday Decor Ideas. 

Simple Holiday Decor Ideas. 

Wreath. Set the tone with a wreath. This season I am in love with the Winter Berry Wreath. Nothing gives a warm greeting like a wreath hung on your front door as guests enter.

Ornaments. Ornaments can be used beyond your tree. Switch out your coffee table centerpiece or foyer console centerpiece for a bowl filled with ornaments. This will add a festive accent as guests are coming in. If you have little ones you may want to get shatterproof ornaments. 

Layers of Candles. As many of you know I am a candle lover, especially when decorating for a party. Use a series of gold, silver or mercury candle votives on your foyer table, coffee table, kitchen island, and in your powder room for an intimate ambiance. Then use pillar candles on your dining table or tall candlesticks on your dining table if you are having a smaller sit-down dinner. For larger parties, add the pillar candles near the buffet and around the sitting areas.

Festive Accent Pillows. Extend the holiday decor to your living areas by adding accent pillows to your existing sofa and chairs. Remember to mix your pillow sizes, this adds visual interest. For example, if you have a large 20" square pillow add a smaller, square pillow in front of it and a shimmering rectangular kidney pillow in the middle. To shop the gold & ivory sequence pillow click here.

Table Runner. Whether you are using your dining table for an intimate dinner for 6-10 or as a serving surface for the menu of delicious dishes adding a textured or patterned table runner can create the base for your focal point. Click here to purchase the table runner above. 

Tray. A dinner party is the time to dust show off your best serving tray. I love this round, gold tray above because it is the perfect base to hold wine glasses as guests arrive. It can turn a set of simple clear glasses into a festive collection. 

Florals. Add a vase with fresh cut flowers and place on your table runner with your candles. This will add a fresh and organic layer to your decor. I choose a grouping of hydrangeas in a glass vase but you can also re-pot poinsettias as a table centerpiece.

Before you go and purchase last minute decorations, first go through what you already have. The great thing is these items are easy to find last minute and will elevate your party. Please share photos from your parties on our Facebook page. 

Joyeux Noël!

 
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Decorating with Christmas Ornaments

Can you believe Christmas is less than a week away? Between decorating the Christmas tree or decorating for holiday guests there's not too much time left. The Christmas tree sets the tone and becomes the focal point for your holiday decor. As with most decor, accessories are key to a successful design - even with Christmas decor. If you're like me you love to use pieces that are multifunctional, stylish and kid-friendly of course. Ornaments are great holiday accessories that are versatile, decorative and festive! 

Christmas Tree Accessory. Ornaments serve as accessories for the Christmas tree by adding color and texture. If you prefer a theme, pick ornaments that are similar in color or use sets that form a complimenting color palette. If you have little ones like I do, you may want to avoid glass, metal, or small ornaments. Instead, purchase plastic (shatterproof) ornaments that are large enough that your little one won't put it in their mouth. If you are using an eclectic decor have your little one create their own ornaments using wooden cutouts or felt fabric.  

soft glitter SNOWFLAKE  ornaments make a great "shatterproof" options if you have little ones.

soft glitter SNOWFLAKE  ornaments make a great "shatterproof" options if you have little ones.

Tabletop Centerpiece. Ornaments can make a beautiful tabletop centerpiece by simply putting them in a clear bowl or cylinder vase. To create a uniform look, I suggest using the same ornaments in each container. 

Gift Toppers. In addition to decorating your tree and table setting, ornaments can also be used to accessorize your wrapped gifts. Adding a small ornament is an extra touch that will surprise the recipient. Be sure to use the appropriate size ornament for your gift package. 

ornaments make great gift toppers!

ornaments make great gift toppers!

Share some of your favorite ornaments on our comments below. 

Here's to a Merry Christmas!