Sharing Holiday Entertaining Tips!

Please join me today at the beautiful Party Resources blog where Kate has been running her series on Holiday Party Tips and I sent her mine along with a few of my favorite holiday images from Martha Stewart who is always so inspirational this time of year!

When Kate asked me last month if I'd like to guest post for this series, not only did I think it would be fun, but it would also keep me focused on my own holiday planning. Thank you Kate!

In addition to sharing tips on topics from Best Hostess Gift Under The Tree to Favorite Holiday Cocktail,  I thought I'd kick things off by passing along the recipe for one of my favorite quick appetizers. This recipe for cheese filled apricots came via Traditional Home-November 2002 in a segment called Cooking School that featured appetizers that took only 10-20 minutes to assemble. This was included in the 12 minute category!

Recipe:
Blend equal parts blue cheese and butter until smooth. Pipe or spoon into small dried apricots, top with nuts.

Every holiday season I buy 2 rosemary trees to flank my kitchen window. They are festive, fragrant and
 oh, so handy when I need a quick snip to garnish a platter as well as seasoning for the Christmas roast!

Tips I've learned from making these for nearly a decade:

Use a pastry tip and bag. Or fill a zip-lock plastic bag, cut a small hole in one corner and fill the apricots. I could never figure out how to "spoon into" without making a mess!

Both walnut and pecan halves work great or combine the two to appeal to the nut lovers.

Use quality blue cheese and unsalted (my preference) butter at room temperature when blending. Taste and make any adjustments before you fill the pastry bag! 

These can be assembled on any size platter depending on how many you make. My favorite way to garnish them is with a rosemary wreath. Put them on a cake stand or pedestal and they look especially festive, like little jewels!!!

Please visit Party Resources for more tips and to say hello!  

PS: Since this guest post was already scheduled for today, I will announce the signed book givaway winner this weekend!

All photos courtesy of A&A

History of the German Glass Christmas Ball

I purchased my first Christmas balls in 1987 just after I got married. My husband and I bought 4 boxes of glass balls for our first Christmas tree. Two boxes were called Pearl White and the other two were called December Red. There has not been a single Christmas since that I have not used them in some combination! Over the years, I've broke 2 red balls and 1 white and have been lucky enough to find an exact match for the red but never one even close to the white.

Close-up of gold Krebs crown


 They have an iridescent quality to them that is just magic under the tree lights. The balls also had the most beautiful crowns. Little did I know way back then how unique and elegant this detail was, and it has become the measure of quality I  search for in every ornament I've bought since. Most crowns on glass balls these days are sadly void of detail and look rather cheap. Thankfully, I saved each crown from the broken balls and have reused them on others. Every once in awhile, I'll find one at an antiques shop or vintage store and buy it on the spot just for the crown!

The peal white Krebs ball is in the upper left corner, just above the felt swan.
Do you see how regal it's gold crown appears compared to the other caps?

The balls were made by a company call Krebs and this was the story contained in the box:

During the Dark Ages, German natives in remote northern Bohemia originated an art form in glassblowing which not only holds a unique place in the 4000 year history of this ancient art, but has become a cherished part of Christian tradition. The Germans had learned this skill (a heritage of Egypt) from wandering Venetian tradesman. They used it to create glass ornaments for adornment of the Tannenbaum (fir tree) in their Yule celebration of the birth of Christ, and thus the Christmas tree was born. Down through the centuries the German glass blowers became famous throughout the world for their blown glass Christmas tree ornaments.

Towards the end of the 17th century many of the German glass blowers migrated from Bohemia to Thuringia, Germany, which became the center of blown glass Christmas ornaments for over 250 years. However, the root of early glass blowers remained in Bohemia where beautiful ornaments were produced. After World War II all Bohemians of German extraction were expatriated. The Krebs family settled in Rosenheim, Bavaria, West Germany, at the foot of the Alps, one of the last to continue the tradition.

Through difficult post war years, the family managed to build a production of traditional ornaments, which is now recognized as the largest of it's kind in Europe. The Krebes family developed exclusive colors and designs, for which they have become famous throughout the free world. The new American plant continues to enlarge and enhance this tradition. Signifying their pride for quality, they decorate each of their ornaments with the crown cap, which evolved as their trademark.

Is Trend A Four Letter Word?

The word trend is really at risk of being too "trendy" I think. Not when it comes to fashion, we all need to be aware, lest we continue strutting around in the worst offenses ever- also called the 80's. Rather as it relates to the design of interiors. I feel like every time I pick a magazine, lurking around the next page is something telling me "what's hot". Yes, if we are in the business, it's our job to know. But, it's also our job to know trends will come and go and well designed rooms do not need to and should not incorporate all the latest trends.  I know this is hardly a new topic on the blogs and I thought I'd made peace with trends. Turns out I haven't.

Over the weekend I came across an article about houndstooth. Basically, I got my knickers in a bunch over hounthstooth being called "trendy" in this month's  Elle Decor. I happen to like this magazine and have been a longtime subscriber. Nothing trendy on the cover this month. It was an unexpected look of a women's loft office by Bunny Williams and I loved it!

Why is houndstooth a design trend?  It's been around forever. Another thing the Scot's gave us. In fashion, I used to associate it with Geoffrey Beane. Now I think of Chanel. I have a houndstooth skirt that I like, it seems traditional. I'm traditional. Recently, I found a pair of houndstooth shoes that I was madly in love with. The heel was just too high for me. They weren't practical. Besides being traditional, I am practical. Especially when it comes to making purchases for my home or wardrobe. 


My Fairfax ottoman by WSH, covered in brown & cream houndstooth.  Purchased nearly 6 years ago. Does this
mean I was previously un-cool and now I am hip? Please...say it isn't so.

As far as my home, it is highly unlikely anyone will ever going say "your home is so trendy!" Thank god. I think for many, trendy is equated with having style...being stylish.  I like a variety of design elements and styles. I have antiques, retail items along with some modern elements, like glass block lamps. Mostly, I like homes that have things that are reflective of the people who live there and I strive for that in my work. As for houndstooth, I think it's so practical for upholstery, curtains or pillows.  Put it in just about any room, and it works.


When our Golden Retriever was a puppy, she took a little nibble.
 She has no regard whatsoever for trends...imagine that?

Don't get me wrong, I am not at all opposed to the use of  Lucite furniture, garden stools, foo dogs (okay, I am opposed to these only because they remind me of darling Pugs that have gone Cujo) an animal skin rug, antlers, etc...but only when it's reflective of the person's interest and their style.  I am opposed to using them because we read somewhere that we should. In other words, trend alarms are being sounded way too often in my opinion.


One of my favorite tear sheet images. A foyer designed by Nina Griscom. The rug is described as an antique.
Generally, this means a real skin that was from a hunted animal, long before anyone considered it may
cool for decorative reasons. Imagine if the wood console was Lucite and the wood chairs were garden stools?
Would it seem too trendy...would you love it in five years...maybe, maybe not?

I have never purchased a single item ever because I thought it was trendy. I am an emotional buyer. I have to be drawn in by the item. I have to feel like it could live with me for a very long time and I would still find it interesting in 5, 10, or 50 years.  Especially, when it comes to antiques, books, accessories, artwork or collections.


When I was a child I first began a collection of keys. I was fascinated with a diary, clock key as well as the skeleton key to my grandmother's attic. Not only did I think they were pretty, but also mysterious. On one visit I took that attic key home with me- I liked it that much. I also thought by taking it I would be protected  from the scary things that I was convinced were up in the attic! I have been collecting interesting keys ever since. 

The most recent additions to my key collection. The 3 smaller keys given by my son's girlfriend. The 2 large keys
from my husband's travels, found in my stocking. All were among my favorite Christmas gifts this past year.

Yes, they're trendy too. Ridiculous faux keys are being mass produced and can be purchased everywhere. But, I am passionate about them, so the collecting will continue. The same could be said about Ikat. I like it. I just haven't seen a pattern/color that I'm passionate about.  However, I did buy a blue and white Ikat cotton blouse that I love and wore quite a bit last summer. I likely wear it again this summer, Although I am quite sure by then it won't be considered trendy. Perhaps, I will like it even more.

I guess this rambling is really just to express how sick I am of entire rooms that are filled with the items magazines tell us are the latest trends, Worse, when it's passed off as good design. Creative work. Applauded. Granted trend is spelled with five letters, but are we all beginning to say it as much as our other favorite four letter words? Sh*t, I don't know. Maybe I'm crazy? Jaded? Or could it be, you are sick of it too?

Storage And Organization Solutions For Your Holiday Decorations!

Maybe you have already put your holiday decorations away this season and maybe you are just sick of the mere mention of the holidays, but making changes to the way you organize your decorations now will change your life.  Okay, it's possible that I'm over exaggerating the outcome. But I can promise, if Christmas music isn't keeping you merry & bright while you're lugging box after box from the basement or attic, having a better storage system will definitely help! Especially when it comes time to everything down and pack it away, because there is no after Christmas music to keep you cheerful...someone still needs to invent that! 


Beautiful & practical holiday storage boxes.

 
 I have always felt I had to mentally gear up for a 2 day commitment of lugging, looking, unpacking, and searching through mounds of tissue paper in various containers all in the effort to make Christmas happen.  The middle part aka holiday decorating, I love and thoroughly enjoy! But after the successful execution of that event, when things are winding down, was the nagging knowledge of another 2 day ordeal of making Christmas disappear!

I already had a basic system in place with large red and green plastic bins purchased years ago. Gathering it all in one place is the first step. It doesn't matter what color storage boxes you choose, but stick to one that will be for holiday storage only and easy to identify.


From our basement storage room makeover last fall. 

   The next step is to give each bin or box a label.  Being able to identify at a glance, without removing a single lid, what each bin contains will feel like a gift from Santa! The labels need to be specific. This is so important if you truly want the "pack-up" to go quickly and painlessly...meaning everything fits back into the exact same place it came from.  Added bonus: labeled boxes are the best solution when you come across that one thing that got left behind and used to get shoved in some random place!


Specific labels are key to easy decorating. What a pretty box
with it's Acanthus Leaf motif!

A small tree in my daughter's room decorated
with her collection of dog ornaments.

My son's tree with all his childhood ornaments.

Each year I put the box in the hallway between their two rooms
 for them to carry out their tradition of decorating their own little
 trees and pack them away after Christmas!

 
Eventually, I realized I that my bin labeled "glass balls" was not working as well as I had hoped. It just wasn't large enough. I have a set of large peacock blue glass balls and a few others that are over sized that did not come in packages. I was storing them loose in tissue and I was always concerned they would break. I needed storage for them and that got me thinking about why was so hung up about keeping everything in it's original package? The solution??? Sort and store the glass balls by color. So I last year I figured out what additional storage was needed and ordered it.  While I waited for it to arrive, it gave me time to sort through several bins and figure out what could be donated. I remember It wasn't until the first week of February before everything was put away. Totally worth it!!!


Sort by color!

  

These gorgeous peacock blue glass balls are my favorites.

Finally, a place for these too.

I like using index cards for labels because they are cheap and easy to write on and read. For the plastic bins I just tape the label to the end facing out.  For the cardboard/fabric covered boxes I put it on top of the contents inside the box. If you really want to go all out, take a photo of the contents of each bin and that way no matter who packs it up, there is no question about what goes where. This will also help you identify what type of storage containers you are lacking so you will be able to make a list of what needs to be purchased.

These storage solutions for my holiday decorations came from Target, Container Store and Ultimate Christmas Storage .  One last thing. I absolutely think it's worth purchasing acid free tissue and shredded filler. It will keep your decorations safe from breakage and the possibility of corrosion. Do it once, do it right and you will be one happy Elf next year!

Faking It for The Holidays: A New Tradition

When my husband I were dating way back in 1985, I remember the first Christmas he spent with my family...vividly. It was full of "firsts" for him. His first visit to a house with an actual "museum" room. Some of you may know it as the formal living room. Specifically, the highly decorated, elaborately styled silk curtains, velvet tufted furniture, vacuum marks on the broadloom, don't go in unless you are invited, kind of room.  It was adjacent to the formal dining room of similar decor as well as the location of the first time he had ever been spit on while dining (accidentally by my younger sister) as I watched in embarrassment while he wiped his shirt sleeve with his napkin where the offensive spittle landed. It was also the first time he saw our Christmas tree. An enormous, nearly kelly green, plastic wonder of who knows what department store.

My future husband turned to me, almost in disgust, and said "your family has a fake tree?" Of course I felt obligated to defend it with a lame "it's artificial" and "don't you think it's decorated beautifully?" And then it came, the reply...in the form of a shrug.

Growing up, my husband had always had a "real" tree every Christmas and it never occurred to him that his future bride thought it was okay to fake it. We got married in 1987 and enjoyed the beauty of live trees for 20 years. Becoming "real" tree snobs of sorts. Each year we usually put up 2 trees and 3 when we are hosting a holiday party. Always Fraser Fir's, often cut down by my husband, many years with kids in tow.

Two years ago when  my husband was traveling just days before Christmas, faking it once again seemed so attractive. Reasonable. Logical. Necessary. I knew finding, lugging, lighting and decorating the big tree alone was just going to be a near impossible task.  I ordered a new Christmas tree online. It was a 7 foot Fraser Fir pre-lit with 1,000 sparkling white lights.  It even came with a remote control! I was so excited when it arrived, even more excited when I was able to put it together by myself. And relieved when it turned out to actually look realistic. I purchased tons of fresh greens as I normally do and the house smelled wonderful. But, would my husband notice that I had faked it...faked Christmas?

Initially his jet-lag kept my secret.  It wasn't until he went up to the tree and put a branch between his fingers to check it for freshness and was scraped by plastic that he said "it's fake?" And once again I found myself  trying to defend it with, "but, isn't it so much better than the one my parents had back in the eighties and don't you think it's beautifully decorated?" My husband replied "Yes, just don't get carried away with faking it too much."  I put it up again this year, along with plenty of fresh greens and a small live tree in the dining room. Faking it is slowly becoming a new holiday tradition! Is it yours too?

Advent Calendars

The first Advent calendar was introduced by German Lutherans in the early 19th century to mark the season leading up to Christmas. Most early Advent calendars were of a religious in nature. In modern times they have really become a fun way to occupy children and manage their excitement before the arrival of St. Nick. Most of us are familiar the basic Advent calendar. It typically consists of a cardboard box with a holiday scene and 24 little perforated doors that open to reveal a little chocolate. There are still plenty of those around, but now the choices and styles are endless.

Cardboard  with chocolates 

When my children were babies I purchased red and green hand knit stocking with their names stitched on them. Initially these stockings were hung on the mantle. It didn't take long for me to come to the conclusion I wanted to have something more sophisticated on view. So out of my need for good design our Advent tradition was born as these stockings were relocated to my children's bedroom doorknobs. And, what initially made me feel a bit bad over their removal from the mantle for more stylish replacements, has turned into years of wonderful memories. My children have said on many occasions this has been a favorite part of Christmas. It's been one of mine too as I recall the all the winter afternoons starting on the first of December, when they would get off the school bus, hurry home and race up the stairs to see what was in their stocking. It was always the smallest item such as a package of stickers, candy, a Hot Wheel car, tiny doll, holiday pencils, etc....But it always brought smiles and again accomplished the task of managing excitement before the big day!


As my children got older and it became a challenge of what could could go into those stockings. A modification was in order and fortunately without any protests, the new tradition became the 12 Days of Christmas stocking.   The stockings still go on their doorknobs and I no longer manage to get 12 days in, but they still check and will randomly find candy, an ornament or an iTunes gift card inside! And, I know they will be happy to carry on this little tradition as long as they live at home...and I will too.

If you're looking to start your own tradition, the choices are endless!!! Here are several wonderful Advent calendars that I've come across this season:







This reminds me of the one from the "Christmas Vacation" movie!

 Sources: Pottery Barn, Garnet Hill, Viva Terra, Pottery Barn Kids, Room Service Home