a holiday party

Over the weekend we hosted a small dinner party for six of our very good friends. It was cozy sitting shoulder-to-shoulder around our small dining room table. The night was filled with too much food, wine, loud music and laughter.

Since November 1st I’ve been in full holiday planning mode. I wanted our home to feel extra cozy and inviting this holiday season with lots of traditional themes and earthy elements. I gathered branches and berries and pinecones filling vases and bowls and scattering them across shelves and tables, trimmed trees with red beaded garlands and lots of silver ornaments and wrapped gifts in pretty paper and twine.

For the party I wanted to create a table that was fairly simple in its elements – kraft paper place cards were handwritten and tucked under pinecones and sprigs of red berries, mercury glass votives glowing with candlelight, crisp white napkins and elegant dishware with a silver trim and a beautiful floral centerpiece. Initially I envisioned white tulips grouped in tight bunches down the center of the table but felt like I needed a really stunning centerpiece to stand out against the simple decor. This bouquet contains floral that can easily be found in your garden and arranging it is easy – wild and unorganized is best!

I’m really looking forward to a lot more celebrating this holiday season. How do you plan on serving up holiday cheer this year?