Holiday Entertaining And Decorating Tips From My Own Home

The holidays are truly the most wonderful time of the year, filling the air with a spark of energy and excitement. Everyone is cheerful, family gets together, the days are short but the joy is big. The excitement starts around Thanksgiving and lasts throughout the Christmas celebrations, a feeling of friendship and festivities and fun.

I love to get ready for the holidays, from finding the perfect Christmas tree to filling the home with sparkly décor and luminous candles. Every morning that we wake up, I want my boys to feel as though they were in the midst of a magical wonderland. I went to Pier 1 Imports for my holiday decor, because they feature an eclectic selection that offers something for everyone, including holiday décor that perfectly suited my simple taste. Some of the “must-have” holiday décor items I picked up from Pier 1 Imports:

1. Stoneware sugar and creamer, and Luminous porcelain dinnerware- perfect for holiday dinners
2. Christmas red and winter white linen napkins, with silver and gold napkin rings
3. Chalkboard jars to fill with sugar cookies and gingerbread men for good little boys and girls
4. Snowflake LED candles, flamefree and scented, their flickering glow adds a cozy atmosphere to our family room
5. Mini glass ornaments in red and gold glitter
6. The perfect hostess dresses the part (and I’m channeling Mrs. Claus)- Welcome to my home!

Tips For Holiday Entertaining

• Decorate and beautify- I love very simple holiday décor: white lights on trees, strands of garland curving around the stairway banister, accents of silver and gold throughout the house. I love to use two or three colors primarily, it’s so elegant and pleasant.
• Great food, and lots of it. Guests should have lots of tasty treats to munch on throughout the night, plenty to drink, and traditional holiday foods are a hit. Every year I make a yummy Christmas ham and a creamy eggnog, and the house is filled with happy people eating delicious Christmas foods and baked treats.
• A pretty table, welcoming all to come, sit and enjoy. A lovely centerpiece (I love poinsettias) and place settings, with accents here and there of tinsel or silver and gold.
• Sounds and scents of the season- Christmas carols, cinnamon and sugar, a crackling fire, pine and baked goods, they are all deliciously cozy and will keep your family and guests happy and comfortable.
• Good cheer, friendship and family! Chat, play games, sing songs, and relax…you may be hosting, but don’t hide out int the kitchen. Have fun with your guests- you are creating memories!

How do you decorate for the holidays? What are your tips for holiday entertaining?

If it’s interesting, if it’s impressive, if it’s colorful and cute and one-of-a-kind—then odds are it’s probably from Pier 1 Imports®. After all, Pier 1 has been the place for unique finds for over 40 years. Our buyers travel the world’s major capitals and small villages hunting for the kinds of treasures you can’t find just anywhere—fresh and fragrant candles, exotic wicker, hand-painted dinnerware, gorgeous textiles and thoughtful hand crafted gifts. Find what speaks to you at Pier 1 Imports®.

Compensation was provided by Pier 1 Imports® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Pier 1 Imports®.