Halloween. Thanksgiving. The December holiday season. This time of the year brings so many opportunities to open your home to friends and family for celebrations, from large gatherings for the big holidays to intimate, relaxed get togethers.
While the reasons to celebrate and the holiday may change, the goal remains the same: to have fun — and create some lovely memories along the way.
This year, we’ve put together ways to give this season’s soirees a touch of easy sophistication while also keeping with the tradition of the holidays.
Halloween Parties
It may not seem like it thanks to pint sized trick-or-treaters, but Halloween is a fantastic holiday for grownups, too.
We love this article in Elle Décor for a Halloween-themed dinner party that plays on Halloween classic characters like ghosts and spiders but with a sophisticated twist. The table setting features ample black elements accentuated by white details.
The table centerpiece features guards and pumpkins painted flat white, grey, and green surrounded by small vases of dark-colored flowers.
Black flatware compliments the white tablecloth and plates, while a simple white two-tiered cake decorated a with black spiders made from marzipan shows that Halloween doesn’t have to include the kitsch.
From Mason jars filled with fall flowers, pumpkin ravioli, and dark colored cocktails made from muddled blackberries served in antique silver, this is one holiday that calls for creativity.
Looking for unique items for your Halloween soirees? Visit High Street design studio and lifestyle store near Over-the-Rhine that specializes in unique high-end interior design, furniture, and one-of-a-kind gifts and curiosities.
Thanksgiving Dinner
Few times of the year give you a better opportunity than Thanksgiving for creating a beautiful, inviting home for entertaining.
For sophisticated table centerpieces, we love this idea from Good Housekeeping to feature a bouquet of flowers in a vase hidden in a pumpkin painted white. And speaking of floral arrangements, this year why not keep the palate full of rich, warm reds and include flowers like red roses, dahlias, and ranunculus?
Fresh in-season fruits like pears, clementines and grapes together can make a beautiful centerpiece, or consider adding artisanal cheeses from local shops like The Rhined or Urban Stead Cheese or a centerpiece that doubles as a casual appetizer. Then, you can swap the platter for the turkey when it’s time.
The December Holidays
The December holidays are filled with gatherings with friends and family. Since they’re often one of busiest times of the year when it comes to entertaining, we love the idea of keeping things simple and planning ahead.
For your out-of-town guests, a make ahead welcome basket can be a great way to make their stay special and comfortable. Consider filling the basket with local items like chocolates from local chocolatiers like Chocolats Latour, and local artisanal goods like soaps or crafts. Indigenous, a store in East Walnut Hills, for example, features jewelry and small handmade crafts by local artists perfect for gift baskets.
Bathroom products like body lotion and shampoo, cozy socks, essential oils, coffees and teas, magazines and Cincinnati guide books are other great welcome basket items.
A customized wreath is a great way to make a simple, elegant statement that can showcase your signature style. Wreaths have come a long way since the days of red velvet bows and pine needles. We love the custom wreaths from WildRidgeDesign. You can find them on etsy.com, and closer to home, check out Heather Hill Wreathery for custom wreaths made here in Cincinnati.
Keeping holiday decorating and entertaining simple doesn’t mean the holidays are any less special. Quite the contrary. Simple elegance is easy to create, and gives you more time to enjoy the company of your family and friends.
