With entertaining season upon us, we've been thinking about how to best prepare for all that comes with holiday gatherings.
Although we love filling our spaces with friends and loved ones, this time of year can get stressful, especially if you're the host. We’re sharing our top tips and all our favorite things for making events more beautiful and less of a hassle— simplification, a little preparation and thoughtfulness can go a long way! Each season, we look forward to celebrating meaningfully in our home with style— Whether it's an elevated intimate dinner or a festive celebration, we're feeling inspired by good, simple menus and classic looks to create nights to remember within our walls. Serveware, table accessories, bar carts and barware can be great tools to design with, with beautiful styling capable of being the star of an event. Here's our guide to entertaining this season and how we're setting the scene.
First, Set The Table
“Table linens are to your tablescape as the turkey is to your holiday meal. They provide the base and add depth to the final presentation. We love natural, simple tones and patterns that create a subtle background of serenity. A warm palette offers a welcoming, cozy atmosphere to your dining space.”
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“There’s something about beautiful dishes that make meals automatically taste that much better. Dress up your table instantly by upgrading your plates, pitchers, and trays to classic, high-quality pieces that you’ll love for years to come. Holiday entertaining is the perfect excuse to invest in quality serveware that you can use time and time again. We are firm believers that even the most regular of meals deserve an elevated canvas.”
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“When it comes to the details, focus on quality rather than quantity. We love using elevated touches such as pewter napkin rings, staggered pillar candles and other festive touches to complement simplistic and natural settings. Our number one rule for this step? Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different tonal and textural elements! When it feels complete, take a step back and evaluate the overall look of your creation and add or subtract from there.”
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Next, Setup the Bar
“Buffets and sideboards double as a bars and serving surfaces when entertaining. If you ask us, the best ones have plenty of storage below.”
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“When it comes to at-home bar styling, when done right with a collection of beautiful barware, it guarantees a little sophistication for your event.”
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“We love selecting glassware that act as a vessel for your beverages, and a stunning piece of decor at the same time.”
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“Bring joy and added interest with an artful balance of natural materials to provide both style and everyday functionality.”
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Then, Plan The Menu
This Holiday Menu is an ode to the classics. A lineup of our seasonal favorites, you’ll find everything from a juicy roasted chicken to classic sides, and some with new twists; and of course, dessert, too: Giant Ginger Cookies a la Martha Stewart’s recipe. We think these elevated dishes will be a total hit with everyone at your table, no matter the occasion during the holiday season.
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Finally, Select the Playlist
Here’s our classic Holiday Entertaining playlist on Spotify. It’s chock-full of jazz and soul music (over four hours!) that’s perfect for the occasion.
We hope you enjoy the items recommended here. At A Good Home, we put a lot of thought and intention into our recommended items, only suggesting things we love and use (and think you might, as well). We also like transparency, so, full disclosure: We may collect a share of sales or other compensation if you purchase through the external links on this page.