Often decor at holiday parties is either overdone or too minimal. But striking the right note need not be complicated if you follow a few simple guidelines.
#1: Choose a Color Scheme that Makes You Look Good and Your Guests Feel Good
In our experience bright red and bright green in combination is not stylish and looks too much like a department store Christmas section. And too much bright red makes people nervous--this is a scientifically-proven fact.
What to do? One idea is to choose softer versions of red and green. You can still use both colors but in a more stylish, less in-your-face way.
For example, use pale green table linens with red Christmas balls or red Christmas accents. Mix either or both with touches of gold, which warms things up and looks stylish. Or choose a patterned or deep turkey red tablecloth, perhaps with gold or pale green accents and some greenery. We once saw a client use a dark red toile tablecloth with greenery for a holiday table and it was stunning.
#2: (Mid-Century) Mod is Often Unwelcoming
The mid-century mod-retro aesthetic is trendy now, but be aware that if this is the way your home is decorated, it often lacks warmth, or, to put it another way, it isn't very welcoming to guests.
Here we advise using a bit of an eclectic approach and a bit MORE holiday decoration than in a home with traditional furnishings, as traditional furnishings often are already rather decorative (e.g., giltwood pictures, elaborate credenzas, Louis XV chairs, Aubusson rugs). No, the minimalist-furnished home, to look welcoming, must have a bit more holiday ambience than the traditional home for it to feel welcoming. And again, avoid bright red, especially if your furniture is red. Instead, use pale green and gold alone or with a FEW touches of dark red--Martha Stewart, for instance, has wonderful holiday decorations and accents in these colors.
#3: Make Your Food and Beverage Tables Decorative
So often this is an afterthought--if you don't have a caterer or event planner.
Take 10 minutes more and at least put some greenery, Christmas balls or figurines, a colored tablecloth, flowers, or SOMETHING to dress up your food table(s).
Beverage table or area? At least put greenery around a punchbowl or coil greenery around the perimeter of trays of poured wines--we use both these techniques even in small spaces and everyone loves the way it looks.
The key is to decide beforehand what you're going to use to decorate with and then put that on your to do and/or shopping list for the party.
With just a little time and effort you can make this year's holiday party decor much more beautiful and welcoming to your guests.
Enjoy!
Kristina
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com
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