Home for the Holidays: Elegant Entertaining

Marin Mommies presents a guest article by Marin interior designer Hilary Sessions of Quarry Hill Design.

The big challenge this Holiday Season is how to entertain with grace and style without losing your cool. The key to stress-free entertaining is prepping your home in advance, so you can relax and enjoy your family and friends. Here are some tips on how to pull off elegant entertaining.

Step one: make sure everything is clean and tidy. Banish those dust bunnies and pick up the clutter. Stash a few large baskets and bins in each room where you can dump all the clutter.

Dress up your entryway in the spirit of the season. Add a wreath, large bouquet of branches, a basket of pumpkins or fruit and scented candles. Something as simple as a few votive candles on the hall table makes the space feel special. Designate a place for guests to stash their coats and jackets, or make it a fun job for the kids.

Set up a self-service bar or hire a bartender for a more formal feel. Put out everything people need to help themselves to a drink in an easy to access location. Let guests help themselves to a drink. This will free you up for other tasks.

Plan a simple menu so you don’t have to fuss with the food. Or better yet, provide your guests with a theme and have them to bring a dish to share. Parties don’t have to include a full meal. Having friends over the hors d’oeuvres and drinks or dessert party can be just as fun and festive.

Having a comfortable and functional dining area is important over the holidays. Whether you are planning a casual pot luck buffet or a formal sit-down dinner, make sure you have enough space to accommodate your guests. If you can, increase the size of your dining table by adding leaves or a larger tabletop. A table topper can be made out of plywood and custom cut to any size. Just cover with a table pad (Flannel Backed Vinyl is available from many fabric or craft stores and works well for this) and your favorite cloth and you are ready for a crowd. If you entertain often you might consider having a large piece of glass cut to the size of your table. Set this over your heirloom tablecloth to protect it from spills and stains.

Make sure you have enough seating. Pull extra chairs or benches from other rooms in the house right before you sit down to eat. Or better yet, invest in a sturdy set of folding chairs you can use for special occasions. Those ugly metal folding chairs are a thing of the past. Nice options are available in bamboo, painted wood and molded plastic. If your space is limited, a buffet might be a better option. Guests can help themselves to food and find a spot to sit. Try to clear off some surfaces so guests have a place to stash their drink and plates.

Setting a festive table makes holiday meals feel special. I like to start with a solid color cloth; crisp white cotton or linen always works. In a pinch, buy a new flat sheet and use it as a tablecloth. Pick a simple color scheme and collect runners, plates, napkins, glass wear and accessories that work with your theme. For Thanksgiving, I might choose a natural linen or burlap cloth accented with rich fall colors.

I always prefer cloth napkins—they are eco-friendly and much nicer than paper. Bandanas or a set of dish towels can work well for a casual buffet. Crisp starched napkins arranged in an elegant fold or tied with wired ribbon set a more elegant tone. Plates, glasses and flat-wear do not have to match – just try to coordinate. If you have to combine two sets of plates for example, alternate patterns at each place setting or serve from a stack of plates on the buffet and no one will notice the variety. If you’re using mismatched flat-wear try wrapping each place setting in a napkin and tying with raffia or a ribbon. You’ll camouflage the variety and achieve a festive look.

Centerpieces really set the tone for the meal. Flower arrangements are an obvious choice. Remember to keep them low so people can see each other across the table. The simplest arrangements are often the most successful. Pick one type of flower, such as hydrangea or roses, and arrange them in low tight bunches in simple vases or containers. I prefer a group of smaller arrangements set down the center of the table as opposed to one massive bouquet. You can use a bunch of autumn leaves or small potted mums. Gourds, squash and mini pumpkins scattered down the table can be very effective. Or put one at each place setting customized with each guests name and voilà—instant seating cards. So channel your inner Martha Stewart, or check out Etsy for some great décor inspiration.

Ambient lighting really sets the mood for your meal. Putting overhead lighting and chandeliers on a dimmer switch allows you to easily control the lighting levels. Add small candlestick or accent lamps on side table or buffets to brighten up dark corners of a room. Candles come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes and can add flattering lighting anywhere. Battery operated pillar candles are a great option of you want to avoid an open flame. Votives in glass holders add instant sparkle. For a more formal table I prefer elegant long tapers. They give off the most flattering glow. If you have a fireplace, this is the time to use it. If it isn’t operable, you can fake it by arranging pillar candles on a tray for the effect of a flickering fire.

The secret to successful holiday entertaining is setting a beautiful stage so you can relax and enjoy your company. If you have fun, your guests will have fun and your party will be a smashing success!

Hilary Sessions is an interior designer based in Marin. Her company, Quarry Hill Design, specializes in creating memorable and livable interiors. Follow Hilary on her blog at www.quarryhilldesign.com.