Hostess with the Mostess™

I recently stumbled on this beautiful holiday tabletop designed by Sandy of the sugarpond blog and instantly fell in love with the modern simplicity of it all…not to mention the fact that she’s using the gorgeous Classic Century dinnerware from Crate&Barrel that I’ve been lusting after for quite a while!

You could easily translate this look into a Valentine’s Day table by simply swapping out the paper pointsettias for a less "Christmas-y" flower. Large-bloomed fresh flowers in pink or red would be gorgeous - or if you’re feeling crafty - the large sweetheart magnolia or candy shop magnolia paper flower kits from Paper Source would be adorable! (and you could even make some extras for your centerpiece!)

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One of the great things about holiday decorations is that they can often transition nicely from your Christmas celebrations to New Year’s Eve soirées with just a few easy tricks! For example, my mom did a multi-color Christmas tree this year, using the exact same elements I used on the New Year’s Eve tablescape below {click images to view larger}:

The main part of the centerpiece is created from decorative sequin spray bunches, ornaments, and an ornament stand. To recreate, align the base of the spray with the stem of the ornament stand, then bind them together with elastic gold ribbon to match the stand. Hang ornaments in coordinating colors on the stand hooks, and you’ve got a very fun & festive centerpiece!

Next, set glass ball ornaments on both sides of the centerpiece, down the length of the table. Use tealight candle holders as a base for the ornaments to keep them in place. Varying the sizes of the ornaments will also make the design more interesting; both extra-large and regular sized ball ornaments are used here.

Tip: For a super-easy table-runner, just use gift wrap that matches your color palette!

Finishing Touches:

• Decorate napkins and the “table runner” with strands from the sequin spray or coordinating sequined gift wrap ribbon, as pictured here.
• Wrap the stems of wine glasses or champagne flutes with metallic chenille craft stems (pipe cleaners). This also makes for a cute bar display when all of the glasses are lined up together!

Product Resources:

• Ornaments, ornament stand, sequin spray, sequined ribbon, charger plates, white napkins, and giftwrap ALL from Target.
• Aqua tablecloth - $26.99 at Plum Party
• Metallic chenille craft stems - Michael’s
• Gala Wine Glasses - $3.95 ea at Crate & Barrel

Note: This design also looks great with a gold/silver, silver/red, or silver/hot pink palette!

Happy Holidays, everyone! I’ll be taking a much needed break for a few days in the coming week, but will be back before New Year’s with some fun new things to share. Hope you get to enjoy some time off and do lots of celebrating! Merry Christmas!

{This is one of my “kids” in the picture above, sleeping next to our Christmas tree.}

In case you’re looking for some last-minute In case you’re looking for some last-minute holiday recipe inspiration, here are some tempting treats from Everyday with Rachael Ray…{clockwise from top left} Saffron Scallops, Italian Cheesecake, Caramel Tower, and a new way to enjoy your pecan pie - a Pecan Pie Martini!

I’m really loving this White Christmas Party design from antiques dealer/party host Nate Turner. The fun, monochromatic dessert display would also work great for a winter-themed baby or bridal shower, engagement party, or New Year’s Eve party!

Everything on the custom menu Turner put together actually goes along with the White Christmas theme, and includes specialties like:

• Almond-Crusted Halibut
• Potato Leek Soup
• Eggnog with Meringue
• Coconut Snow Balls
• Meringue Topiaries

Click here to check out the full details via domino magazine. Happy Holidays!

Here’s another shimmery holiday tabletop idea that would work for both Christmas and New Year’s Eve! Click here for the full scoop on how to recreate this Gold & Silver Shimmer theme.

Its always fun to serve food & drinks that match the colors or theme of your party, like this yummy fondue dip for an appetizer or Glitzy Chocolate Puddings from Nigella Lawson for dessert! And to drink, try something swanky like a champagne-based Ritz 75 served in festive champagne flutes.

These animal ornaments by Jennifer A. Bell are super cute and very contemporary! Click here to learn how to make them yourself…and simply change the color of your paper to customize the ornaments to whatever color palette you need!

More holiday decorating inspiration for you! Check out our new easy & affordable Santa, Baby theme - featuring wrapped vases, contemporary patterns from American Crafts™, white boas, swanky cosmos, and more! Click here for full details

I have to admit that I’ve never been a huge poinsettia fan, but after seeing these images from Domino’s “reconsider poinsettias” DIY feature…I have definitely reconsidered!

Update 12/13: Whitney from blumebox sent in a couple more beautiful pictures of contemporary poinsettia arrangements yesterday after seeing this post. One is pictured below, and you can click here to view the other one. Both are displayed using click here to view the other one. Both are displayed using 4″ cube blumeboxes. Very cool!

Festive & affordable holiday cocktail party favorites…all from C&B: samovaari paper plates and napkins , dizzy cocktail glass (only $3 each!), snowflake picks , snowflake spoons , shiny red bottle stopper , red foil wine & dine .

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