I’m a traditionalist when it comes to Holiday decorating: I like greens, vibrant reds, punchy patterns and any excuse to pull out plaid pillows and plaid ribbons for the tree. I always love decorating to the nines over the Holidays because you will inevitably have guests coming in and out at a moment’s notice. When that occurs, it’s always good to have some tricks up your sleeve to help you navigate with ease and stress-free.
Buffalo Check Plaid Skirt || White Bow Blouse || Black Block Heels || Lisi Lerch Earrings || Christmas Garland || Christmas Tree || Red Check Ribbon || Red Knit Stocking|| White Knit Stocking
Buffalo Check Plaid Skirt || White Bow Blouse || Black Block Heels || Lisi Lerch Earrings || Christmas Garland || Christmas Tree || Red Check Ribbon || Red Knit Stocking|| White Knit Stocking
One: Open up your floorplan. When you have a lot of guests over it’s important to have a lot of space for everyone to navigate from one room to another. If you don’t have an open concept, open up your spaces to allow for easier travel. I’ve pushed my couch against the wall and have created a hallway from the door to the kitchen by doing so.
Two: Keep the lights on. We spend almost a whole day or more turning our homes into Christmas wonderlands so when at home, leave the lights on and light a candle. The light from the tree subs in way better than your floor lamp and your guests will love the warmth it casts onto the room. My favorite candles from Candlefish have a delicious pine scented candle (#004) that fills the house with a sweet and evergreen scent!
Three: Bake something. Having something freshly baked is a great way to awaken your guest’s senses and make them feel at home. A classic gingerbread or a delicious sugar cookie is sure to suit all palates that come into your home.
Four: Have some bottles of wine on hand. I like to keep a rotation of white and red wine in my house year-round to suit all sorts of drinkers that may walk through the door. I think it’s important to always be stocked so that you can always have an impromptu happy hour if the occasion calls for it. For the Holidays, I wanted something robust and from a Napa Valley vineyard so I settled on Sequoia Grove. Upon first sip, it was a hidden gem among giants. I love the silken oakiness of the Chardonnay, and the Cabernet Sauvignon was the first to disappear among my guests. This family-owned winery was a winning selection and I hope to be able to make it out to Napa sometime soon and explore the property in person.
Five: Have a plethora of sharable snacks available. I like to have a multitude of appetizer snacks on hand for when guests come over and it’s important to have a variety of things stocking in your fridge. I typically like to have fresh veggies (broccoli, grape tomatoes, carrots, cucumber) and hummus, then I will also have olives, parmesan, and a cured meat. A little something for everyone so you can be sure your guests will always leave happy.
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This post was written in partnership with Sequoia Grove Wines. Thank you for supporting the sponsorships that help this blog produce top quality content. Although there may have been a sponsored element, all opinions are my own.
Photos by Dasha Crawford Photography
that shirt is so cute, and love it paired with that skirt, too!
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