Do you ever watch House Hunters and wonder who these people are that buy houses based on whether or not they can entertain in it? Do they entertain the masses? Are they holding the company Christmas party annually?
That’s not me.
Don’t get me wrong. I love to have people over. But honestly, most of the time, the people we “entertain” are people who know our dirty secret.
No, nothing scandalous. They’re people who have been over when the house is a train wreck and people who have been here when it is spic and span and sparkling. They know the real us.
If you are pulling together a Holiday Table and want to knock the socks off of your most important people to “entertain”…the best way to do it is with a strategy and a cool head. Here are my tips for setting a holiday table.
Step 1: Decide on the Format
Are you going to serve family style or are you going to set up a buffet? I use two factors to decide the format. If the dining room is easy to maneuver for your crowd, a buffet can work. There’s nothing more uncomfortable than trying to squeeze behind people sitting in chairs while brushing your butt against the wall or a piece of furniture carrying a plate of food. It could make you not want to eat anything on your plate (hello New Year’s Resolution number one).
The second factor is the size of the group. If I’m entertaining eight people or less I serve family style. It feels a little more formal. Plus more formal means people don’t scoff the food down in 10 minutes flat, after you’ve spent hours preparing it.
Step 2: Place The Big Pieces
A lot of people start with the centerpiece. Don’t make that mistake. Start by setting each place setting fully. Then move on to the serving pieces if the format is family style. It’s awful to have to remove a beautiful centerpiece so the food will fit on the table. I like to pull out the pieces I am going to serve food in and decide exactly where they are going to go on the table. I lay them out and it gives me a good idea of how much space I actually have to create a centerpiece.
Step 3: Place cards
I know it is all the rage to set a place card for everyone, but I’m not a fan in most cases. I find a group of less than ten can figure out and handle where they should sit. Unless the group doesn’t understand some social graces you can usually skip this. After all, this isn’t kindergarten…we don’t need to tape our names to the desk/table.
The other exception is if you are purposefully trying to “mix things up” by breaking couples up. Strategically placing people can either facilitate a great conversation or lead to a really dull dinner. Think about your group when making this decision…carefully.
Step 4: Centerpiece
This is my favorite part! I think K.I.S.S. Remember that? Keep It Simple Stupid. It applies in this situation too. Make sure the centerpiece doesn’t obstruct anyone’s view of any other person at the table. Secondly, pick a centerpiece that looks good from all views. No one want to look at the “back” of something (like Santa’s butt). Then consider repetition. Do you love those Pottery Barn catalog pictures of dining rooms? If you do, take a closer look. Almost always they are repeating their product. Repetition and symmetry let’s the eye rest.
I find the best centerpieces don’t look overworked, but seem like you effortlessly just threw it together…even if you agonized for days about the color scheme and then got up at 5:15 a.m. and just decided today was the day. Maybe I’ll take a nap soon.
Step 5: Lighting
If the dining room light isn’t already on a dimmer, call the electrician today! Dinner by just candlelight isn’t enough. Dinner with a bright light shining down on the table is not good either, we are eating dinner not interrogating each other. Although there may be some interrogation happening around the dinner table in my extended family. Don’t you love when nieces and nephews become adults and you can drill them with questions in front of a crowd?
The winning combination is dim overhead lighting mixed with candlelight. Adjust until you have the perfect level of lighting. Dim enough that candles glow but bright enough food is clear.
Step 6: Music
Create a play list. Don’t leave the musical fate of your dinner party to Pandora. For formal dinner parties I prefer instrumental music. Words seem to compete with dinner conversation. I prefer a mix of piano and wind instrumentals. I avoid the big symphonic or heavy versions of Christmas songs. Some of my favorites are George Winston (December Album) and Kenny G (The Greatest Holiday Classics). If you stream YouTube there are several people who have created hours of instrumental Christmas music too.
Step 7: Set The Tone
You know how when you go to a wedding and the bride is coming down the aisle, the congregation doesn’t stand until the mother of the bride stands? Did you know that was the rule? Just like that, you are setting the rules for the party. The more formal you are, the more formal your party will be. Create the dinner party you want to have. I prefer a cell phone free dinner party that leans on the formal side. My kids have to learn proper etiquette and what better place to do it than in our own home?
One last photo for you. I don’t think I have ever shot our house from this angle before. We have one large space that is wide open. I have been leaving this large space alone in terms of really diving in to decorating it. I’m still working some things out in my head about furniture arrangement and pieces. Sounds like I’m working out a plan right? Really, I’m just obsessing about it and apparently will have to obsess a while longer before I can get out of design pergatory. I just thought I would give you a glimpse from our front door. The kitchen is off to the right forming one large open “L”.
There you have it. My tips for setting a holiday table. I hope you have a fantastic day! Now go get your Christmas on!
Nancy
My awesome friend Lucy from Patina Paradise put together this incredible party list. Lucy and I, we like to party at the same places. You should come to the party…it’s a blast:
MONDAYS
Something to Talk About @ Spain Hill Farm 5AM CST
*Show and Share @ Coastal Charm 8AM or 8:30AM
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on The Porch
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life 3PM
Inspire Me Monday @ Sand and Sisal 4 or 5PM
TUESDAYS
Moonlight and Mason Jars @ Cherished Bliss 10 or 11AM
* Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style 6pm
* Vintage Inspiration Party @ My Salvaged Treasures evenings at 7 PM
* Dream Create Inspire @ Refresh Living evenings at 7PM
* Swing into Spring @ DIY by Design at 10PM
What’s It Wednesdays @ Ivy And Elephants
WEDNESDAYS
Creative Spark @ Two Purple Couches 9AM
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson 2PM or 3PM
* Share Your Style @ The Vintage Nest + 7MORE BLOGS!!!!! 6PM CST
Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch to Yours 6PM CST
THURSDAYS
Brag Worthy Thursday @ Bless’er House + 4 more blogs 5AM
Think and Make Thursdays @ Little Red Brick House + 7 more blogs!!! 5AM
*The Creative Circle @ Up to Date Interiors 8AM
Vintage Charm @ Charm Bracelet Diva 9AM
* Shabbilicous Fridays @ The Shabby Art Boutique 1:00PM
*Feathered Nest Fridays @ French Country Cottage 3PM
Simple and Sweet Fridays @ Rooted In Thyme 6PM
AKA Design-Weekend Retreat party 7 pm
Creativity Unleashed @ Practically Functional 6pm
*Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home 6PM
the weekend retreat @ AKA Design 6pm
Inspiration Friday @ The Painted Drawer 9PM
FRIDAYS
* A morning Cup of Joe @ The Cottage Market 6AM
SATURDAYS
SUNDAYS
* Silver Pennies Sundays @ Finding Silver Pennies 6 or 7 AM
Inspiration Monday @ Our Southern Home + 6 more blogs! 1 PM
**Amaze Me Mondays @ Dwellings 5PM
