Our At Home for the Holidays Guest Blogger Series is coming to an end. It is almost Christmas, after all! As a final farewell, we thought tips on Christmas dinner tabletop arranging were in order. And to do the honors, we bring you none other than our friend, acclaimed author, blogger and lifestyle personality, Tracy Porter.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guest series. Don’t forget to leave a comment on your favorite guest posts (browse here) for a chance to win a year-long subscription to At Home in Arkansas magazine. And from all of us at At Home in Arkansas… Happy Holidays!
For many of us, a love affair with the holidays goes back to childhood. Nostalgia has her warm embrace on our heartstrings and is forever pulling them about.
I will always hold fond memories of the all the merriment associated with the weeks and days leading up to our celebrations, especially when it comes to the details! I grew up in a family who loves entertaining, and while leg of lamb and escargot will always stir my culinary senses, I find pure poetry this time of year in other elements of entertaining as well. Colors,  textures and magical trimmings combined with nature’s gifts tucked about the table and bar make me giddy. Indeed, it’s the little details and thoughts that make entertaining enchanting and ever intriguing!
One can get utterly overwhelmed by some of the larger tasks that come along with the holidays, so my remedy is to sneak away and flirt with the elegant embellishments that make festive times and memories so very unique! If you are willing to indulge in my theory of merriment making, soon you’ll find yourself craving moments to layer in the little sumptuous touches that will make your holidays the most delicious and spirited yet!
If you set a table this time of year, there are many small touches that can add holiday magic. Consider a placecard an alluring element! If putting guests names on the table feels too formal try this idea with poetic words instead, such as conversation starters or small toasts. I love a placecard that is handmade, or attatched to an ornament or tiny sparkling mirror…something charming that you are able make ahead of time and set aside. I don’t have loads of time to get too fancy or over the top but I love the idea of making a few goodies for the table like this!
Napkins are another detail that I adore. I have no problem zipping off to the fabric store and buying some gorgeous yardage, cutting it into large oversized napkins, and simply adding an elegant luscious ribbon. (Indeed you read that right: I don’t fuss with the edges…more artful in my book…do what you will.) I think a fearless pattern, texture and mix of colors on a holiday table is jovial and exuberant! If there is ever a time to make your table setting irresistible the holidays are it!!
A bar is essential at the holidays! Find a spot to set one up that is accessible to your guests and stocked! Don’t forget a few bits of holiday added here and there. I always adorn the top of our ice bucket with ribbon and berries. I may not get to polishing her, but I always give her a party dress! I love a mix of glassware for serving drinks and I always keep my eyes peeled for small vintage glasses to add to my bar repertoire.
Nature is always my “go-to girl†for entertaining. I find that mixing in greens and berries along with whatever else I dig up from my holiday boxes makes the most beautiful statement. You simply cannot go wrong when you combine a bit of nature and candle light. If you don’t keep a stash of holiday goods to dig through then a simple and elegant mix of branches and greenery down the center of your table will feel festive and effortlessly divine.
In case you missed them:
La Dolce Vita’s Last Minute Tabletop and Gift Ideas, and More
Happy (Retro) Holidays from Designlovefest
