I'm throwing three holiday parties this year, and definitely need some expert help! How can I make sure they go off without a hitch (and without breaking the bank)?
Jenna R. emailed us at expert@sweetspot.ca, and home expert, Vicky Sanderson, answered;
Many normally level-headed Canadians are hyperventilating over their holiday entertaining plans, worried that they won’t be able to pull off a successful event. All that fussing is unnecessary, since just a little planning (and the right accessories) can significantly reduce the panic over parties.
Above all, maintaining a relaxed approach means both you and your friends have fun. So never, for example, hurry your guests to the dinner table. Take time to chat while offering drinks, along with seasoned olives, nuts, and tapenade. Or serve charcuterie on a simple board. PC Home has an affordable and attractive Acacia wood tray for $25, while Trudeau’s pretty new oval Zebrawood tray, which comes with two knives, sells for $45.
When it comes to lighting, this is the time to go for a touch of glam. Sylvania recently launched fabric runners shot with LED “thread” that bring a special sparkle to a holiday table. A small battery tucked inside one corner offers about 10 hours of light on a single charge. Splurge on a 12- by 68-inch runner with silky black ends ($100).
Old-fashioned candles are great, but for a bit more you can get a candle that doesn’t drip, always looks new and stays cool to the touch. Chace Candles are aluminum candle-shaped rods into which slim wax candles are held in place by a spring-loaded base. They’re perfect if you love having “fresh” candles every evening.
Having a well-dressed table doesn’t require a pantry full of heirloom tablecloths. Use a simple drop cloth (unused and washed, of course!) in coarse cotton, which you can find at Home Hardware for about $20. Pair it with rough linen napkins, vintage plate ware and a rustic centerpiece made from pinecones and pomegranates. For a more sophisticated look, run a length of leftover wallpaper or wrapping paper along the length of a table covered in a plain white table cloth (or even a flat bed-sheet). Try a lush pattern, such as Phoenix from Shand Kydd. It's gorgeous design of gold and green foliage and pheasants works well for this time of year.
Vicky Sanderson writes Hot Home Products, a widely-read weekly column on home improvement products and housewares that appears every Saturday in The Toronto Star. She also blogs at www.yourhome.ca
Thought that was sweet? You'll enjoy: