Here it is…the second installment of the ConfettiStyle Holiday Gift Guide.
This week I’m sharing some really awesome gift items perfect for the person or family that loves to entertain!
Let the shopping and the party begin!
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Entertaining 101: Food on Display
So, how many of you will be hosting holiday parties in the coming weeks? I don’t have any parties planned but I do have several holiday events we’ll be attending already on the calendar.
If you love to entertain during the holidays, one of the areas you should really focus on is the presentation of the food you serve.
Serving yummy food is essential to a great party and how you present that food is a key component to the decor for your event.
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Entertaining Ideas: Creative Napkin Folding for the Holidays
I’m trying to ease into to fall but my mind has completely changed gears and is focused on the upcoming holiday season. Halloween is just around the corner, then the festivities of Thanksgiving will be here and Christmas is only 3 1/2 months away. There is so much do my to-do personal and business check-list, including coming up with a few fun holiday tablescapes.
In addition to pretty place settings, I also on the hunt for some fun napkin folding ideas and just happened to round-up 10 really cool one. So, if you’re already thinking about holiday entertaining and need a jump-start on ideas, take note of these and check holiday table decor off your to-do list.
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Party Planning–Gold and Purple
Happy Monday and Happy Labor Day!
I’m still in DC visiting family but wanted to let you in on a little project I’m working on. I think I’ve mentioned before that I sit on the board of directors for a non-profit agency. In addition to my role on the board , I also serve as the event chair for the agency’s largest annual fund-raising event, Vintage Affair. The event attracts over 400 people and includes a live and silent auction, dinner services from the areas top restaurants, wine tasting from vineyards across the world and live entertainment. One of the components of the event that I’m currently working on is the decor.
Each year, based on the theme of the event I create décor for the dinner tables and auction space.
The theme for this years event is Uplifting Our Community and the colors I’m working with are purple and gold. Here’s a look at some of the décor ideas I thinking about…
As a play on the word Uplifting, I’m going to incorporate balloons into the tabletop décor and I’m thinking about something like these gold painted balloons.
Gold dot steamers are always a fun party décor element and might look great as streamers across the table.
These paper streamers would be really fun as a backdrop for a photo booth area.
All of our desserts will be passed by servers but glittered cake stands like these could be fun for the take-away treats we are planning.
Paper dollies are such an easy an inexpensive way to dress up dollar store glass vases and when spray painted gold they add the perfect touch of glam and elegance to a tabletop.
I really don’t have anywhere to use gold dipper feathers in the décor but I’m keeping this idea on hand just in case.
I’m thinking of possibly using these Ikea frames which have been painted gold for some of the signage at the event.
The event takes place on Oct. 18th so I’m in full party planning mode and I’ll be sure to share pictures of the finished party space when it all done.
Entertaining 101: Four Ways To Create A Color Story For Your Party
I love sharing entertaining tips with you here on the blog. Today I thought I’d share an idea that can help you create the decor for your next party or shindig (love that word)!
When it comes to party decor, there are no set rules to follow but there is one sure-fire way to create a decorative look that is stylish and dynamic, and its all about the color palette you choose. Here are four easy ways to pull together the look of your party…
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Design Inspiration {plus links you’ll love}
This is a great example of how simple elements can come together to create a stunning vignette. The mix….pattern play, colors that connect, texture mix and pops of gold.
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This may be something you’ve never thought about but it’s an important part of the design detail of your home. How to get the perfect fold in your drapes!
Are you feeling Confident!
This is just about the best party idea I’ve ever come across and a great way to Search For Your Awesome!
My favorite PIN of the week. Those gold pulls are to die for!
Happy Weekend!
NINE Party Place Settings You Can DIY
When it comes to entertaining, creating beautiful tablescapes and place settings is an essential part of the decor. You table decor can be elaborate and over-the-top or simple and classic, and the best part is that there are so many beautiful place settings you can make by hand with a few basic crafting supplies. Here’s a round-up of inspiration photos and the steps to DIY these looks for yourself.
No. 1 Dollie Name Card
When it comes to crafting, I don’t think dollies get the credit they deserve. Paper dollies come in different shapes and colors and can easily be turned into a vintage inspired name tag that can adorn the center of the plate. If you’re using glass plates, place the dollie under the plate and it can stay there throughout the dinner service.
Get the Look:
Paper Dollies (this site has a great selection of colors and shapes) (to create a keepsake paper favor, I recommend using a vintage cloth dollie instead of paper) Ultra Fine Sharpie Pen
No. 2 Gold Rimmed Plate & Napkin Ring
Turning a clear glass plate into an elegant serving piece is as easy as gluing gold beads around the rim. And to compliment the plate, how about making a gold ball napkin ring?
Get the Look:
Gold Beads (use E6000 glue to secure the beads to the plate rim (E6000 is not food safe so only use for the plates for decor or as a layering plate) Plastic Belt Buckles (look for vintage buckles at flea markets or you can find them on Etsy)
No. 3 Clip Board Menu Card & Place Card
I love this idea not only because I love clipboards but because it is just too darn cute. Pick up clipboards at the dollar store, spray paint them to accent your table and clip on the menu and a name card. If you want to use the clipboard as a party favor, I recommend adding a monogrammed pencil that can go with it.
Get the Look:
Small Clipboard with open clip, Small Clipboard with closed clip (I buy almost all my clipboards from thrift stores so keep an eye out for them when shopping) Personalized Pencils (better quality), (cheap price)
No. 4 Striped Plates
This is a really fun and easy way to add a pop of color to your party table. All it takes is a little acrylic paint (you choose the colors) and you’ll have place settings that pop.
Get the Look:
Clear Glass Plate (in order to serve food off the plate, you’ll be painting the underside of the plate so make sure the surface is smooth) Frog Tape (if you really want to get crafty use their Shape Tapes) Acrylic Paint–you can pick from high-gloss, metallic, pearlized, glitter or satin finishes (this paint is even dishwasher safe)
No. 5 Decoupage Plates
Decoupaging your own plates is a great way to create inexpensive decorative plates. Just about any paper embellishment can be adhered to the plate surface, to fit with any entertaining theme you have going.
Get the Look:
Ceramic Plates ( check thrift stores, especially if you’re OK with a mis-matched look) Decal or Paper Embellishment (you can also find these at Michaels or JoAnn Fabric) Decoupage Glue (this is water-based, non-toxic, food safe and top rack dishwasher safe)
No. 6 Chalkboard Plates
This is one place setting idea that you will be able to use over and over again and mix with any decor theme throughout the year. Painting plates with chalkboard paint is super easy and a great way to personalize your table.
Get the Look:
Plates (this project definitely calls for thrift store plates since the entire plate will be covered up–you don’t need anything fancy) Chalkboard Paint ( I like to use paint in a can but you can also use chalkboard spray paint) (tips on applying chalkboard paint)
No. 7 Personalized Plates
I love all things personalized and this place setting is right up my alley, especially for a holiday party, special celebration or even a New Years shindig. If you have good penmanship you can create this look by hand using paint or a sharpie, or for a more temporary fix you can get crafty with your Circut machine or use craft stickers.
Get the Look:
Solid Colored Plates (as long as the plate has a solid colored center you can use it) Alphabet Stickers (the options are endless) or your Circut Explore
No. 8 Painted Plates
Ok, you could go out and buy plates in different colors and save yourself some work but DIYing is much more fun. I love the idea of combining plates in different colors to create a bold color theme for your table. You can use a single color family or vary each place setting for a more colorful table.
Get the Look:
Clear Glass Plates (paint your dinner plate one color and the salad plate another, and paint the backs of the plates so the food surface is usable) If you want to add a metallic rim, use a Sharpie to color in the rim before painting the rest of the plate Glass Paint (dishwasher safe)
No. 9 Glittered Charger Plates
How many times have you passed up scratched plastic charger plates at Goodwill? Me, about a thousand. The next time I see some of these I will definitely be getting them so I can DIY a set of beautiful glittered chargers.
Get the Look:
Plastic Charger Plates (if you can’t find any at the thrift store, Michaels carries them so look for a sale) Glittered Paint (paint the backs of the plate and you’ll need to seal them with an acrylic sealer to make them hand-washable) You can also use a glittered spray paint (I’ve heard this stuff is not easy to work with) or decoupage loose glitter onto the plate (mix glitter with decoupage glue and paint onto plate) If you do this you’ll definitely want to seal with a sealer to prevent having glitter everywhere
I don’t know about you but I’m ready to get crafty and have a party!
So, which of these DIY party place settings is your favorite.
Inspiration {plus a design tip}
Way back in 2010 I wrote a post about my new-found love and appreciation for carnations. I remember when we first go married I use to tell the hubby that if he ever sent me flowers to make sure there were not carnations in the arrangement. Back then I thought carnations had no style. Times have changed and these days carnations are a power flower not only for arrangements but as decor too!
Design Tip: Because carnations are inexpensive and can last for a long time outside of water, they are the ideal flower for creating a fun party garland to like this. Drape the garland from the back of a chair or hang it over a buffet or dessert table. The power of flowers!
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