Holiday Party Planning - The Day Before

Well it appears that this party planner got bogged down by the day to day tasks of getting party ready and didn't get around to blogging! How are you doing? Is your party date close? For me, it's the day before the soiree and I'm feeling really good! Normally, I'm in a panic right about now, but thanks to my checklist, I've been steadily working away at checking off those tasks. 

For today, I have a few things to do. I need to iron my tablecloth and get my tablescape set. I started working a little yesterday, but it was only one detail to the whole look. I am going to set the table with my serving pieces and then add the refrigerated items to their respective platter and then store until tomorrow. I also need to chill my mixers. Oh, I need to wrap the party favors!

Later this afternoon, I'm taking a slight break and get that well deserved manicure. As I've been scouring the nooks and crannies of kitchen and bathroom cabinet moldings, with Clorox wipes to scrape away dust and grime, my nails look horrendous! I'm so looking forward to a few minutes of pampering. Here are some Pinterest nail inspirations that I'm considering!

When my husband asked what he could do to assist on Saturday morning, I only need help with the dusting and vacuuming! I can't believe it! Normally, I'm still baking, straightening, and deep cleaning the house. To only need help with the surface cleaning is huge! 

I am so excited about hanging out with family and friends tomorrow night. I haven't seen a lot of these people in months so it will be to good to be in the same room with them for a few hours. I truly believe that this is what the holiday season is all about! 

I'm going to leave you with this image. If you haven't tried the original Champagne Cocktail, you must! Simply soak a sugar cube in bitters, add it to a champagne flute, poor your fav bubbles over that, and add a twist of lemon! So good. The perfect cocktail for the season!

Cheers!

XO,

Andrea

Holiday Party Planning Guide - Tablescape

Earlier in the week we talked about picking a theme for your holiday gathering. Do you have one? I do! Remember, I'm going with vintage. A retro cocktail party, to be exact! My love for Mid Century Mod is bleeding pink and avocado green this season and I can't get enough of it. So, we've picked our theme, sent out the invites, and now it's time to start checking things off our master checklist.

Up next is decor. My house is decorated in fairly traditional Christmas flare. Green tree chocked full of Hallmark ornaments, handmade ornaments by mom when I was younger, and now handmade ornaments made by McKinley in school. Those are my favorites! But, I've added a little something old to this years decor. I put up my antique aluminum tree and all the antique Shiny Bright glass ornaments that we've found over the years. It's gorgeous! Oh, and did I mention that I have an old light color wheel? The whole look is perfection!

I have so many pins from Pinterest to share regarding a vintage inspired tablescape. And guess what? More than half are pink! I've never been a pink girl, but this year, I am over the moon for it! Maybe it's the whole Mid Century Mod thing or maybe it's the fact that Michael's has totally fed my obsession. I went in for ribbon the other day and walked out with an entire holiday decor of everything they had that was pink. Okay, not everything because there are still pieces I want, but let's say about 50%! Needless to say, I'm covered in pink glitter and I couldn't care less!

So here are the inspiring tablescapes I found on Pinterest.



 

And here are all the things I bought at Michael's!

I'm sorry, but there was no way I was going to pass up a pink Santa, at half off, wearing white fur! 

 
Isn't my aluminum tree gorgeous!!

So here's what I plan to do. I will add a white tablecloth to the kitchen table and arrange the bottle brushes, church, and a large glass hurricane full of pink and avocado green ornaments in the center of my table. I may even add candles. I have lovely silver candlesticks that hold tealights. And I plan on hitting up my local Home Depot to dig through their evergreen scrape pile like I did last year. The greenery lasted through the remainder of the holidays and allowed for a subtle hint of pine. I will arrange the greenery throughout the tablescape as well.

I will place the serving pieces around the table, black and white Christmas pieces I received as a gift from my aunt several years ago. And it just so happens that the pattern is very Mid Century Mod inspired, even though they came from Target! I plan on bringing out my bar cart, even though it's red, and decorating it as well. I may have to give that some thought regarding the clashing of colors. As Tim Gunn says, I will make it work.

Oh, and I found the coolest website that gives a tutorial on how to give everyday tumblers a little Mid Century update as well. Definitely going to have to give this a try! 

Lastly, here's a little sneak peek into a DIY drink stirrer I found that would look darling on the bar cart!

There you have it! My tablescape inspiration and the pieces I picked to create mine. Now that you have your theme, what would you use to decorate your table? Would you go completely DIY? Scour the amazing sales at places like Michael's is currently offering, or go brand new with your purchase?

I can't wait to hear what you're up to! What do you think of my party so far?

XO,
Andrea