When we moved recently, Ernie asked me: “Do we really need six Christmas Crates?” Me: “I can’t believe I have only six Christmas Crates.” Haha. I’ve never been vague about how much I love Christmas & that I love to decorate in a different style every year. I understand that some people love a traditional Christmas with traditional decor that stay the same year after year, but for me the opportunity to dream up a new theme every year can not be passed up.
My inspiration for this look came from my friend Karie who set this table at the West Coast a year ago. A town like Paternoster, for instance, is what I had in mind with this table.
I like that this table is not overly dressed. It is beautiful & unique but still simple & beachy.A special touch is to make your own Christmas Crackers for a festive table.
By using an existing wooden wreath, I tied the sea urchins to it & used hessian fabric to create a loop with which the wreath can be attached to a hook or nail on the wall.
I discovered the Lindt Salted Caramel balls & they worked perfectly well with my theme. They are also incredibly delicious.
Hosting Tips
There are always things that can be done when hosting any kind of event, to make it less stressful for the host & to make guests feel more at home:
Prepare most of the food ahead of time
Personally I don’t mind still putting together some dishes when guests have arrived. I find that some of the best chats happen in the kitchen when the final prep work is done. The ideal, though, is to have the majority of the prep work done before guests come. It’s also worth thinking about what dishes go onto the stove, what goes into the oven & what might go on the braai. If you have too many dishes in the same cooker, you might run into trouble.
Set the table as early as possible
Nothing makes guests feel more at home than a beautiful set table on arrival. It signals a ‘you’re welcome’.
Set an event agenda
This might sound a bit over the top, but hear me out. Just as important as keeping yourself, the hostess, on track, it is also useful for guests to know what to expect. Will it be an early dinner to accommodate young kids? Or will it be a lengthy meal with various courses? If you invite guests for 1pm on a Sunday, can they expect to eat a late lunch or an early dinner?
Rest
I usually get up early on the day of a lunch or dinner & run around to get everything in order. I will then take a power nap two hours before guests arrive. (What can I say? I love a good power nap.) This is my strategy for not feeling or looking completely exhausted when guests arrive.
Do a rough timeline for your own day
Once again, this might sound like too much, but knowing exactly what needs to happen before & during the lunch or dinner is hugely helpful. Your timeline should include: when you need to prep, when you need to clean & also – very important – when you need to freshen up & get ready. I usually get myself ready right before guests arrive.
Ask guests to contribute or assist
If you ask serious etiquette gurus, they will disagree about getting guests to contribute, but I think it is a practical & economic way to host. Naturally, you will take care of the majority of tasks & dishes, but in real life everyone has a budget & time constraints. If a friend offers to bring a dessert or flowers for the table, say yes. I reckon that, especially on Christmas, each person should contribute & share the load. That way, each dish is delicious & well prepared & the hostess has a more relaxed day.
Thanx for visiting my beachy XMas.
Yolandi ♥
Images: Picture Me&U