- A decked out fireplace welcomes guests at Christmas.stockings on a mantle image by Michael Drager from Fotolia.com
Whether you're planning a large holiday gathering with friends and family from far and near or an intimate get-together with just a few, Christmas entertaining means decorating. You can go all out, or you can keep things subtle. Either way, bring the warmth and glow of the holiday season into your home to share with those you love. - When planning for Christmas entertaining, the entrance to your home is going to set the tone for an enjoyable time. The book "White Christmas: Decorating and Entertaining for the Holiday Season" notes that while wreaths can be found hanging on doors year round, they are most closely associated with Christmas and serve to bring signs of life to wintry landscapes. Place a traditional green wreath on your door, or use wreathes created from berries and fruits, braided straw or shiny ornaments.
Other good ideas for making your entrance a warm and inviting one include framing your door in a garland of fresh cut greens, using white candles in hurricane candleholders or arranging luminaries on a porch table or on steps. String tiny white twinkle lights along a porch railing or simply gathered in a loose bunch in a basket near your front door. Be sure to extinguish all candles and unplug lights after the party is over.
A more rustic entrance might include an old style wood sled leaned against the wall, with an old pair of ice skates hanging on one sled blade. Place a weathered "Welcome" sign on your door and tie some sprigs of evergreen to the hanger. - Holiday entertaining usually means serving a meal or a buffet of hors d'oeuvres and desserts. Amazing Christmas Ideas suggests that using a color theme can be a great idea when it comes to decorating your buffet and dining tables for the holidays. The old favorite combination of green, white and red is always good. But, you can also use silver and gold or blue, white and silver, which is very wintry. You can always stay with your home's color theme as well.
Use seasonal decorations to help set the mood. Fill a clear vase or bowl with round glass ornaments in your chosen colors. Place short hurricane lanterns with candles in a row down the middle of your dining table. Tie wired ribbon bows to the stems of champagne flutes. Carry your color theme through with napkins and napkin rings.
A buffet table can look great set with amaryllis and forced spring bulbs such as hyacinth. Don't be afraid to weave a sparkling garland of beads or small pinecones and berries around the serving dishes. - The fireplace is the spot where holiday revelers gather to warm their toes and share holiday memories. Start a blazing fire, or if that will make things too toasty, arrange pillar candles of varying heights in your fireplace and light them to create a cozy atmosphere.
Deck the mantel with a garland of freshly cut greens. Set a framed picture of Father Christmas or a piece of antique Christmas sheet music on the mantel, leaning against the wall, and decoratively arrange a few pillars on your mantel to complete the look.
Another cozy Christmas decorating idea for your fireplace comes from the book "Decorating Your Home for Christmas." Hang a festive garland along the front of your mantel, in a swag fashion. On the mantel, place framed photos of family and friends from Christmases past. Add some candles for a glowing touch.
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