We’re in the final countdown to Christmas! Anyone else knee deep in last-minute preparations?! This year I’m hosting a Christmas Eve party for my family, and I thought I’d share some of the festive fun today right here at Decoist. It’s not about planning the perfect party, complete with the latest in tableware and swag. It’s about using your holiday decor to your advantage. Let your tree and decorations set the palette for the night, and make a few strategic purchases to get the party started. Read on for photos, helpful tips, and lots of merry details!…

Holiday Party Decor

With the busiest season of the year in full swing, it’s important to take any shortcuts you can! After all, the most important part of the holidays is spending time with the people you care about. Who’s with me here?! Not to mention, Christmas Eve also may involve preparing for Christmas Day, so anything you can do to remove stress and truly enjoy friends and family is a worthy endeavor, don’t you think?

The answer: let your holiday decor double as party decor.

My holiday decor happens to be merry and bright! Cheerful ornaments in colors such as yellow, red-orange, teal and pink decorate my silver tinsel tree. It’s tall and slender–the perfect no-fuss holiday focal point. The ball ornaments are super kid-friendly (aka: not glass) and come from The Land of Nod. I was going to snag more at the end of the season, but they’re already sold out!

Striped modern stockings from Etsy shop Good Wishes Quilts line the fireplace, reinforcing the color scheme. Above you can see a photo montage that shares the color palette inspiration for my Christmas Eve fete.

I took my cue from the bright palette when it came to wrapping gifts. Metallic bags and wrapping paper are accented with ribbons and bows in eye-catching hues. I threw in some small gift bags in bright colors to complete the look!

So how does all of this translate into easy party tips? Here goes:

• Let your own holiday color palette be your party palette.
• Try using wrapped gifts as a table centerpiece.
• Combine ornaments, tinsel and other decorative items on hand to create impromptu flourishes. 

It’s easier than you think to pull together a festive, no-fuss party! Now on to the snacks…

Food and Beverages

Since Christmas Eve is a time when you may be visiting with family members who aren’t always in town, the last thing you want to do is be trapped in your kitchen slaving away while the party goes on without you. So don’t! Here are a few tips for setting up a food and beverage situation that runs itself:

• If you can get away with it, have your guests arrive after dinner for desserts and a gift exchange (rather than a full meal).
• Create a beverage bar with two main festive drinks: hot chocolate and a pre-made cocktail.
• Display food buffet-style so guests are in charge of serving themselves and going back for seconds.

If you can’t swing the whole “dessert only” arrangement, have each guest bring one item. Potluck is the way to go, and this strategy also lends itself to a no-hassle buffet setup! If you don’t want to ask people to contribute an item or they’re coming from out of town, here’s one word for you: catering. If your budget allows for it, it’s certainly a life-saver. As an alternative, pick up pre-made items from your favorite restaurant so you can focus on the decor and hospitality.

First up: a hot chocolate bar. I offer hot chocolate on a stick. All I have to do is provide warm milk, and guests do the rest. Don’t forget the whipped cream and sprinkles! I also like to have candy canes on hand, as they are the perfect embellishment.

This year I will also enjoy serving a holiday sangria, based on this recipe. I’m improvising with a few of the ingredients and serving it at room temperature (as more of a sangria than a mulled wine). I love serving holiday drinks in my mint green glasses (purchased at Anthropologie a few years ago; here’s a similar style). Vintage drinking glasses also work well.

For the food, I like to have a selection of sweet treats on hand, as well as something savory, such as cheese or nuts. I probably won’t have time to bake, so I’ll be heading to a bakery or buying my absolute favorite holiday snacks (yes, even  pre-baked ones)! Here’s a sneak preview:

Now that I have a game plan, I feel great about hosting the gathering. I can’t wait for some quality time with my nearest and dearest! I wish you nothing less this season. Enjoy, cheers, and Happy Holidays!

You're reading Host a Vibrant, Modern Christmas Eve Party, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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In today’s post, we highlight the art of gifting. Whether your budget is bountiful or you’re counting pennies this holiday, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the gift-giving process while celebrating your love for great design. We’ve made it easy for you with our Decoist Gift Guide, breaking it down by price point. So browse, delight in the new finds, and get ready to treat the people you care about!

Under the montages that follow, you’ll find a series of links that will lead you to more information about each item. Not only is it fun to browse and learn about new design trends, you just might find something special. Happy shopping…

$275 and Under

Sculptural objects are the name of the game this year! From geo finds to architecturally interesting pieces that double as works of art, the gifts in this section are nothing short of stunning:

1. Plank triangle cutting board by Fort Standard, 2. Alexandra Von Furstenberg acrylic candy bowl, 3. 18″ copper basket from Bend, 4. HELENA teapot with coaster from Georg Jensen, 5. ALFREDO vase by Georg Jensen

$100 and Under

A mix of styles in this next batch reminds us that eclectic design never goes out of fashion. So don’t be afraid to mix earthy pieces with sleek ones in your own home or your gifting stash! Not to mention, a touch of metallic shine provides the perfect accent.

1. set of 3 Swahili nesting baskets from Bloomingdales, 2. Essex large marble server from CB2, 3. Canaan Bud Vase from Jonathan Adler, 4. Black granite marble trivet from Fort Standard, 5. Organic Capiz Bowl from Z Gallerie, 6. Mykonos Rectangle Tray from Jonathan Adler 

$50 and Under

Objets d’art are precious gifts, whether they serve a practical function or they’re solely meant for display. You may want to reserve items such as wall art for those whose design taste you know well. But you can definitely be adventurous when it comes to smaller items, such as notebooks. Scroll down for details.

1. HAY Horizon notebook set, 2. brass watering can from CB2, 3. Jansen + Co. candle holder, 4. Woman and Shell print from Depeapa, 5. nile glass vase from CB2, 6. Tajine Basket from Baba Souk

$25 and Under

The gifts in this section prove that good design doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. The gift ideas that follow are striking, unique, and perfectly on trend:

1. set of 6 mini gold cocktail forks from CB2, 2. 3-piece frosted sake set from CB2, 3. ring dish from The Object Enthusiast via Baba Souk, 4. iridescent mug from Cotton On, 5. brass candle bowl from CB2, 6. Folk Candleholder from Normann Copenhagen, 7. Terracotta Hex Planter from Darkroom 

We hope today’s post has given you some creative gift ideas to get you started. If you love design, the holidays are a wonderful time to share your enthusiasm with the people around you. Everybody wins…cheers to that!

You're reading A Gift Guide for Design Lovers, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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Are you a person who looks forward to decorating for the holidays the moment the Thanksgiving plates are cleared from the table?! Let’s just say that if you are, we at Decoist get where you’re coming from! We also love a good garland. This DIY metallic holiday garland has a bountiful look, yet it couldn’t be more affordable. If you read our recent post on decorating with gold, you know the holidays are the time to bring on the glitz.

With a few simple supplies, you can deck the halls and the walls with a warm glow. Side note: Isn’t it funny how the garland appears rose gold when set against a blue background (see above) and yellow gold when displayed against lighter backdrops (as shown below)?! Keep reading for details on how to craft your own garland, complete with helpful tips.

*Photos and styling by Kate Simmons for Decoist

DIY Garland Supplies

To get started on your metallic garland, all you need are a few simple supplies:

• a tinsel garland
• metallic ball ornaments
• gold ribbon or ornament hooks for securing the ornaments
• scissors
• gold bows, holly and other embellishments (optional)

Since the tinsel garland will be the base of your creation, feel free to go one step beyond standard tinsel. This tinsel garland from Target is only $6.00 and has a festive look. You can go with either glass or plastic ball ornaments, but be sure to secure them well (especially if you use glass).

Ribbon was the material of choice for this garland, but ornament hooks can also get the job done. If you use ribbon, make sure to choose a selection that will blend in easily with your garland. Last but not least, you can keep it simple or embellish your garland with bows, holly or other adornments. Ready to get started?…

Crafting Your Garland

For this simple project, writing out a series of steps is unnecessary! After all, it’s as easy as securing the ornaments to the garland. There are, however, a few simple tips to keep in mind.

You can either use a tape measure to help mathematically space out the ornaments along the length of the garland or simply eyeball it. If you’re careful, either method should work. Note that if you eyeball it, you may have extra garland left at the end (if you run out of ornaments). So get ready to snip off the extra sparkle if need be!

If you use ribbon to tie the ornaments to the garland, begin by tying a knot around the loop at the top of the ornament. This will prevent the ornament from slipping and falling to the ground in the middle of the process.

Make sure you use double or triple knots as you secure the ornaments to the garland. Or close up those ornament hooks with your fingers or pliers so the ornaments are secure. You don’t want them falling, which they can easily do if they’re not snug and you display them against a wall.

Don’t worry about cutting the excess ribbon down to the knot after you’ve tied the ornaments in place. It will blend right in with your garland if you choose one with thicker sections of tinsel! Once again, the garland you see below is a super affordable purchase from Target.

You can also dress up your garland with a few fun extras, such as faux holly. Or keep it monochromatic with metallic bows. The peaks of the garland are great spots for these additions.

Or you can just let the ball ornaments speak for themselves, as you see in most of today’s photos!

We at Decoist wish you and yours a sparkling Holiday Season!!

You're reading A DIY Metallic Holiday Garland, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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Because of gold’s warm and inviting glow, it’s the perfect element to enjoy throughout the holiday season. Start in the fall and let the sparkle increase as the winter holidays near! Today we’re sharing a few helpful suggestions on how to decorate with gold. Ready to pile on the glimmer and shine?! From vintage collectibles to seasonal basics such as tinsel, the possibilities are endless…

*Photos and styling by Kate Simmons for Decoist

The Beauty of Brass

Let’s start with a trend that doesn’t show signs of letting up: brass. Brass isn’t holiday-specific, so any pieces you collect can be enjoyed year-round. Plus, it’s perfect for displaying in the early days of fall if you want to add a sense of warmth to your home.

Here are a few ideas for letting brass take center stage this holiday:

• Stock up on brass bowls, planters and vases.
• If purchasing new furniture, opt for brass accents, such as knobs and legs.
• Let the light in with brass fixtures, or go with a brass-framed mirror that reflects the light.
• Purchase brass ornaments for your holiday tree.

Gold Ornaments

Speaking of ornaments, gold-toned baubles make a bold yet welcoming statement. Plus, you don’t have to limit them to the tree! In fact, golden ornaments can be scattered throughout your home to add a big dose of holiday cheer. You can even start around Thanksgiving (since the metallic shine isn’t as wintery as a red and green color scheme).

Here are a few ways to decorate with gold ornaments throughout the holidays:

• Let gold take center stage on your Christmas tree, and pair the ornaments with other metallic tones such as silver, rose gold and bronze.
• Add gold ornaments to holiday greenery such as wreaths and garlands for an extra shine.
• Place gold ball ornaments in a bowl for a holiday centerpiece.
• Make a holiday “table runner” out of greenery and gold ornaments (if the greenery will be near food, ensure that it’s food safe).

The All-Gold Wreath

One BIG holiday design trend that has emerged in the last few years is the all-gold wreath. The foliage is gold. Ribbons are gold. Even the floral wire can be gold if you want to be cohesive! The wreath below is one we created (this year we turned it upside down for a different look). You can check out the full DIY here.

Here are a few great places to hang holiday wreaths, especially those of the gold variety…

• on the front door
• on interior doors
• on cabinet doors
• on windows
• on stair railings
• on mirrors

Tinsel Territory

Tinsel has made a bit of a comeback in the design blogging community. Once dismissed as a cheap holiday decoration, it’s now being used in a slew of creative projects to add just the right amount of twinkle and shine.

Here are a few clever ways to use tinsel garland this holiday:

• Snip off one-inch segments and use a dab of hot glue to attach them to the end of a cocktail stirrer (shown above).
• Wrap tinsel around the base of cake stands for a sparkling foundation.
• Stuff clear glass ball ornaments with a snippet of tinsel for a glassy, glimmering shine.
• Attach tinsel garland to large posterboard letters and numbers to create a sign/banner (2018 in tinsel is perfect for a New Year’s decoration)!

Gold Flatware

If you haven’t yet taken the gold flatware plunge, rest assured that there are many ways to sample the style without committing to a full set. If you’re feeling adventurous, you’ll love the way gold-toned forks, spoons and knives will dress up your table this fall and winter! Retailers such as Crate & Barrel have beautiful selections, so if your flatware needs an update, the time is right for a warm glow at the table.

Here are a few suggestions for adding gold tableware to the mix:

• Purchase gold-toned appetizer forks for an affordable warm glow.
• Add a few gold serving utensils for a holiday-perfect look.
• Buy 2-4 sets of gold flatware to test the waters.
• Take the plunge and add an entire supply of gold flatware to your utensil drawer!

Vintage Collectibles

Many vintage pieces have gold-toned accents, from Midcentury bowls to trays and dishes from designers such as Georges Briard. Like the brass decor mentioned at the top of the post, vintage pieces with gold flair can be displayed year-round. Plus, once people know you collect them, they just might gift you with a few treasures (or at least be on the lookout for you when they’re thrifting).

Gold-toned receptacles can be filled with greenery, ornaments and pine cones over the holidays to create interesting centerpieces and focal points. Here are a few places to hunt for vintage items:

• garage sales
• estate sales
• antique malls
• antique festivals
• thrift stores, such as Goodwill
• online marketplaces, such as eBay and Etsy

We hope today’s post has been helpful in inspiring you as you decorate this holiday season. Don’t be afraid to revel in the golden glow as you deck your halls!

You're reading 6 Ways to Decorate with Gold Throughout the Holidays, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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