We Answer Wednesday - Hosting for the Holidays

OK, Please help!  I just found out I'm hosting the office Christmas party.  It's in 3 weeks and I have never hosted this type of party ever.  I need to provide food and drinks (luckily I have some friends who are going to help with that) but I'd like to decorate as well without spending a fortune and easy but stylish holiday decorating ideas??

The holiday season is so much fun but it can be stressful.  Throwing a Christmas cocktail party in 3 weeks might feel impossible but it isn't!  Good for you for enlisting some support in the food and beverage department.  It's OK to ask for help.

If you do not own any holiday decor items, it might be a good idea to ask friends and family if they have any decorations around the house that they aren't using.  This could save you a lot of time and money.

If you want to do it all on your own but on a budget there are lots of fun and festive ways to decorate on a budget.

1.  Use items you have around the house already like vases.  We love filling vases with season items like pine cones, ribbons and bows, candy canes and even ornaments - for a clean and simple look but it still celebrates the season.



2. Add a few natural elements for an instant Christmas feel.  We love this simple wood tray with candles, pine cones, simple metallic ornaments and some cedar branches on this coffee table.  It is perfect and simple.  Try a scented candle for an extra special touch.



3. Edible arrangements are easy and fun.  We love this simple and clean centerpiece with votive candles, cranberries and some cedar branches.



4. Wrap some old boxes and use them in corners or by the fireplace.  so simple and still very festive.  Not great at wrapping? You can purchase pretty boxes from more Dollar stores, add a bow and you are done.  We love these 3 boxes on candle sticks - perfect on a console entry to welcome guests!



5. Recycle your bottles and make them beautiful with some winter berries or other faux foliage.  We love these green glass bottles with winter berries.  A bit of a rustic feel for the holiday season.  Perfect on a console, mantle or as a centerpiece.




 6. Candy!  Christmas candy is so pretty so why not show it off? We love this simple Christmas candy tower and you know what? It's a great DIY gift for a host, neighbour or teacher.  The vase can be re-used and the candy, who doesn't love candy??



7.  Welcome guests with a wreath! Wreaths are a great accessory for the front door.  But you can definitely bring them inside.  They look great on walls (this year I'm adding one to my gallery wall), windows, mantles and interior doors - why not? Look for wreaths that are your style - shiny, big, bold, natural, there are so many to choose from.  Crafty? Try making your own.





A few other things to consider....

- colour palette: who says you have to stick to the traditional green, red and white? Mix it up a bit! Try bold and bright tones like hot pink, purple, aqua and lime green.  Go glam with white and mixed metallics.  Keep it simple with one hue like just red.  choose a colour palette that works for you!

- no room for a tree? no problem! look for a mini tree instead, artificial is a great option too - you can re-use it year after year.  Try a rosemary 'tree'.  Most local supermarkets have rosemary plants in the shape of a mini Christmas tree, it's perfect by the front door, coffee table or as a centerpiece. We also love DIY projects like these Christmas tree cones - a great option for small spaces and you can decorate them however you like!



- light! Candles make any event look and feel special so bring out your pillars and votives and dim the lights.  The candle light will make your place look beautiful.

- budget.  Be sure to check out your dollar stores for decor and party supplies.  You might be very surprised at what you find on such a tight budget.

- have a theme.  Yes, OK it's Christmas but what is your style or theme? Stick with one colour palette and inject your sense of style.  Do you want a country Christmas or a contemporary Christmas?  there's no wrong answer but stick to that decor theme throughout the entire home to keep it looking chic and sophisticated.  The best party planners plan their decor scheme, so we suggest you do the same.

- have fun! it's a party and yes the host has extra duties and responsibilities but have fun! If the party isn't perfect, it doesn't matter just go with it and have a good time, and everyone else will too !