Home & Living
How to Holiday
Eat, drink, and be merry with these three concepts for your seasonal soiree.
Modern
Graphic patterns and splashes of color enhance an everyday look
THE GOODS! Clockwise from left: Gold spoons ($30.99) at Trohv. White napkins ($49.95); charcoal napkins ($19.95) at Williams-Sonoma. Cutting board ($44); rocking whiskey glasses ($24); copper-finish mini spoon set ($20) at Trohv. Gold bowl from marble set ($42) at Becket Hitch. Aplico Reglisse plate ($32.95) at Williams-Sonoma. Gold flatware set ($39) at West Elm. Kate Spade accent plate ($10) at Becket Hitch. Aplico Zen dipping bowl, large ($26.95), small ($12.95), ramekin ($9.95); white tablecloth ($69.95) at Williams-Sonoma. Food provided by Orto. Florals provided by Floral Fêtes.
FULL SPREAD
Slate Cheeseboard: Indulge in small bites of brie, grapes, and cured meats between lively conversations. PRO TIP: A full, vibrant charcuterie plate can double as decoration!
Middle Wood Slate board set ($22) at Best Day Ever.
DECK THE HALLS
Enhance your place settings with creative décor, such as using garland as a centerpiece. Simple decoration adds a slight visual interest, creating a tasteful touch of holiday spirit. Neutral hues and gold tones pair well for a modern color palette.
Wool felt garland with gold/cream flat circles ($20) at Trohv.
Fruit-infused Sparkling Water
Flavored sparkling water can take your dinner to another level. Do it yourself by adding fresh seasonal fruits to your glass of plain carbonated water.
LAST CALL
There are a few essential mixers to have on hand when making your own craft cocktails: tonic, ginger beer, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, and bitters.
Bar utensil set ($48) at Becket Hitch.
Go-to holiday drink: PINK G&T
Elevate your celebration with hand-crafted cocktails made from your own kitchen.
Ingredients
- 2 oz. dry gin
- 3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
- 6 oz. tonic water
SHORT CUTS
Cornbread Mix: Craving fresh-from-the-oven treats but strapped on time? For something quick, easy, and always tasty, opt for a mix!
Aunt Maggie’s cornbread mix ($9.95) at Becket Hitch.
CHARMING side plates
Celebrate the season with festive dishware.
Stoneware 3” bird dish ($3) at Trohv.
“TRY TO GET AS MUCH OF THE PREP as you can DONE THE DAY BEFORE SO YOU CAN ENJOY THE NIGHT!”
– Elan Kotz, Orto
Bohemian
Mix and match texture and tone for a fun-loving feast
THE GOODS! Clockwise from left: Reactive Glaze dinnerware plate ($10); stemless glass ($4.20); modern rose gold flatware ($39) at West Elm. Napkins ($18.50) at Trohv. Pink glass ($15) at Becket Hitch. Reactive Glaze salad plate ($8) at West Elm. Blue/white porcelain bowl ($7.99); Raashi bluestone mug ($15); ceramic reactive glaze teapot ($21) at Trohv. Voluspa Japonica mini candle ($10); mini Capri blue jar candle ($12) at Anthropologie. Speckled cement nesting bowls ($20); copper-finish mini spoon set ($20); locally made table ($525) at Trohv. Food provided by Rye Street Tavern.
MINT CONDITION
Every detail counts! Store your Sweet Stripes peppermints in a holiday tin, bringing your guests holiday cheer and an after-dinner refresh. Filled with goodies or even empty, a vintage-style tin also makes for a great hostess gift.
Metal Box with holiday greeting ($5.50) at Trohv.
THE CUP THAT CHEERS
Digestion Tea: Conclude your meal and ease your stomach with a warm mug of tea.
Digestion Tea ($13.99) at Trohv.
GRAB-N-GO
Feel Your Oats: Fill bowls with tasty snacks to stave off your guests’ hunger before the main attraction.
Wool felt garland with gold/cream flat circles ($20) at Trohv.
Go-to holiday snack: NO-BAKE GRANOLA
Ingredients
- ¾ cup honey
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 cups granola
- ¼ cup grapeseed oil
Warm Apple Compote
A compote can be a dessert or topping for pancakes and waffles. Place four peeled apple slices, a tablespoon of sugar, and the juice of one lemon into a saucepan. Cook with one vanilla bean over medium heat for 30 minutes.
Mix & Match
Mismatched dishes add subtle flair.
Limited edition Moroccan ceramic bowls x-small ($10), medium ($18) at Trohv.
GLAZED STONE MUG
Versatile for a morning brew or a holiday nog, mugs can bring a cozy detail to a table setting. A one-of-a-kind mug can be an easy table statement.
Stoneware reactive glaze mug ($12.99) at Trohv.
RAISE A GLASS
Colored Glass: Though more casual and relaxed, bohemian-style tinted glassware pairs well with modern metallic accents, adding unexpected and exciting style to any table setting.
Round glass ($3.75) at Trohv.
“Spicy Bloody Marys with an assortment of garnishes are a must!”
– Brian Plante, Rye Street Tavern
Classic
Achieve traditional elegance with simple white and silver pieces
THE GOODS! Clockwise from left: Round au gratin plate ($24.95) at Williams-Sonoma. Porcelain gravy boat ($5.99) at Target. Queen Anne salad plate ($26.95); Pillivuyt square baker ($54.95) at Williams-Sonoma. Promenade silver flatware ($19); stemless glass ($4.20) at West Elm. Aplico Zen dipping bowl ($12.95); oval au gratin plate ($29.95); modern geo napkin ring set ($6.95); white linen napkins ($49.95); Queen Anne dinner plates ($28.95) at Williams-Sonoma. Juliska glass ($29) at Becket Hitch.Florals provided by Floral Fêtes.
SHORT CUTS
Hot Chocolate: Sipping a hot cup of cocoa with friends and family is the ideal winter treat.
Semi-sweet hot chocolate ($19.95) at Williams-Sonoma.
SET THE STAGE
Entertaining Guide: Host the most with tips and tricks from a recipe book.
The Curated Table ($39.95) at Trohv.
GLOSSED OVER
Roasted Carrots: A go-to harvest veggie, glazed carrots are a simple side dish.
Go-to holiday sauce: HONEY GARLIC BUTTER GLAZE
Ingredients
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ¼ cup honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp parsley
Centerpiece Conversation
Complement your dinner table with an arrangement of seasonal greenery or a bouquet of unique and colorful flowers.
STAR COOKIE CUTTER
Serve your pastries in festive shapes.
Star cookie cutter ($16.95) at Williams-Sonoma.
Level Set
When measuring dry ingredients, use a spoon to fill measuring cups to ensure accuracy.
Copper measuring cup set ($36) at Becket Hitch.
FALL INTO PLACE
Hosting a lavish dinner party? Take a note from the pros on how to set and style the most elegant of place settings.
How to Set a Table ($14) at Becket Hitch.
“Choose a statement container that will make even the simplest blooms pop.”
– Victoria Clausen, Floral Fêtes.
Find the Best in Baltimore
You May Also Like
Home & Living
A Classic 1970s Ranch Gets a Reboot
Laurie JB Stubb, principal of Place Architecture: Design, shows us around the fully renovated home filled with natural light and rich colors and textures.
Travel & Outdoors
What Does a Warming Climate Mean for Home Gardeners?
Maryland’s growing season is getting hotter and drier, and the number of warm months is on the rise.
Home & Living
This Charles Village Home Mixes Nature with Comfy Midcentury Kitsch
Blue Water Baltimore’s Michelle “MJ” Jenkins shows us around her house filled with color, greenery, and retro relics.
Home & Living
Patrick Sutton Celebrates 30 Years of Making Baltimore Beautiful
The revered interior designer reflects on three decades of loving Baltimore, telling stories through design, and building a portfolio that is as thick as it is impressive.
