5 Things Every Christmas Table Needs

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This magazine-worthy (in my humble opinion) Christmas tablescape is brought to you by yours truly and Kristine Hoskins from KCH Realty. The two of us make a pretty dynamic duo and given we’re sisters, we’ve been each other’s favorite collaborative partner on anything creative since we were old enough to make dinner while pretending we had our own cooking show!

Whether you fly solo or make setting the Christmas table a family affair, here are 5 things to remember to include as you set the scene for your best Christmas yet!


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1. Greenery

Fresh greenery brings any table to life! Kristine and I bought fresh flocked tabletop trees at the grocery store for $5.99 and placed them in prism mercury vases from West Elm.

Tip: The general rule for tablescape design is to ensure nothing obstructs a guest’s view. Thankfully, our slender, tabletop trees pass the test!

DID YOU KNOW Home Depot allows you to sort through their Christmas tree trimmings and take home for free? Not to be outdone, Costco has gorgeous wreaths and fresh garland marked down now to $5.00! 

Go get your greenery!


2. Gold Accents

Even if you shy away from incorporating gold in your everyday decor, we suggest you embrace it at Christmastime! Gold flatware is a fun place to start but adding any golden accent you already have will help make your table merry and bright!


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3. Placecards

Placecards elevate the occasion and let guests know that you’re a thoughtful host who cares about the details. Hester & Cook is our go-to merchant for fancy paper accents that keep us inspired and impress our guests!


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4. Candles

With everything in me, I believe that candles should be part of your Christmas tablescape. I’m not quite sure where this deep conviction comes from but perhaps it has something to do with the fact that candles were invented by the Romans in 500 BC and it’s quite likely they’ve been part of every Christmas that ever was! If real flames are a problem, try flameless LED tea lights in festive votive holders.

Tip: Be sure to use unscented candles in the kitchen, on the table or anywhere near food!


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5. Ornaments

Okay, so Christmas tables don’t need ornaments but we found that our table was in need of some color. Kristine grabbed some ornaments from her tree, dropped the mic and walked away. I might be taking some creative liberty on that visual but the ornaments really did add the perfect pop of color to our table at no additional cost.

Tip: Use different sized-ornaments for contrast and composition.


There you have it, 5 simple things a proper Christmas table should never be without! Merry Christmas friends! May your table sparkle with holiday spirit!


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More Entertaining Ideas and Recipes…

Tips on How to Host a Kid’s Christmas Party


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It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

Feeling all the Christmas feels this year, I decided to host a Christmas party at Come Away Cabin for the little people in my life. My party short-cuts will save you time and money.


Creating a festive backdrop for photos was one of the best things I did. Ask a mom-friend already attending the party to help capture photos or source a local photographer.


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Frozen Hot Chocolate Bar

Frozen hot chocolate is easy to make but ordering a large, chocolate milkshake from your local Sonic is even easier. Less than $5.00 and no blending required!


One large milkshake served seven kids. Divide into cups with lids and store in freezer until 20 minutes prior to serving. Reddi-whip, colored sugar sprinkles and the smaller marshmallows from the grocery store were the biggest hit.

Click images for purchase links.


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Kid-Friendly Table Decor

This candy stripe paper runner from Hester & Cook was the perfect anchor for a whimsical tablescape but better than that, it made clean-up a breeze!



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Fun & Games

The kids had so much fun waiting and watching for the popcorn to pop. This vintage-inspired maker from Cuisinart adds an extra special touch to any kid’s party.


While I appreciated having store-bought Santa cards at the party, there are plenty of printable downloads available for free on the internet including this one from Momdot: DEAR SANTA LETTER TEMPLATE.

And remember, kids create their own fun so having a kid-friendly craft planned is great but they just might have more fun watching popcorn pop or trying to guess the code to your storage closet’s keypad lock!

The Gift You Give - Thoughtful Gift Ideas For Everyone In Your Life

Scrambling to find the perfect gift? Consider this list your complete gift-giving guide. And for the overachievers in the group, another idea or two never hurts! Check out these incredibly thoughtful gifts and share your suggestions too!

My niece Jolie and Santa. Picture perfect! Photo Credit: ryan Wilson Photography

My niece Jolie and Santa. Picture perfect! Photo Credit: ryan Wilson Photography


The gift you give your parents…

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Family Photo Shoot

Parents will forever love photos so why not coordinate a photo shoot at your next family gathering? Hire a photographer and let your family know to come dressed in their best. Photos can be expensive but they are always worth it and depending on your family dynamics, this is a gift that can go beyond your parents and be the gift you give other family members too. Source a local photographer or check out Flytographer.


The gift you give to a sister or best friend…

Your favorite thing

My sisters and I give each other our favorite thing of the year. Consider what your favorite thing is and give it as a gift! See some of our favorite items below!

Kristine - The Sable Wristlet Clutch from Hobo is a best seller. Kristine bought hers a few years ago and EVERYONE asks her where she got it. If you’d like 10% off your first order, sign up for their newsletter.

Tammi - Faux Leather Leggings by Spanx are a must for me, many of my friends and millions of others. The famous black leggings once sold out in 72 hours. Now, these leggings are a wardrobe staple.

Jodi - Jodi loves Evereve and bought her BFF’s these bracelets!

Click images below for purchase links.


The gift you give the man in your life…

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Original Grain Hand-Crafted Watch

Unless it counts my steps, I’m indifferent when it comes to watches. For the most part though, the men I know still love and appreciate a beautiful, traditional timepiece. Based in San Diego, Original Grain is a watch company that makes watches using reclaimed wood and steel and other unique materials like retired seats from Yankee Stadium, decommissioned military ammo crates and old Kentucky Bourbon barrels. Because each piece of wood is different, no two watches are the same. The company offers beautiful packaging, free shipping and easy returns. Oh! OG also plants a tree with every watch sold.


The gift you give to anyone you want to spend quality time with…

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Cooking Class

At first, you might be thinking you’ll pass on the cooking class but I promise you, they are always an experience to remember and fun for couples or other family members. Not only is it a night out and interactive but you’re guaranteed a good dinner and you’ll walk away with chef recipes and a new trick or two. Depending on your partner, maybe this is the gift they give to you but either way, make sure it’s on the list! Check out Sur La Table or Airbnb Cooking for class options!


The gift you give to a family…

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Cuisinart Popcorn Maker

I’m a fan of giving one big gift to a family rather than several small gifts. This red popcorn machine by Cuisinart is one of my top choices. Kids love the experience of making popcorn this way and I promise you, Franklin’s Gourmet Popcorn (sold separately) is some of the best popcorn you’ll ever have! It’s made with coconut oil and non-GMO corn and grown by family-owned farms. You’ll never want to go back to your microwave popcorn again!

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Costco Membership

As an Airbnb host and as someone who loves to entertain dinner guests, Costco is my happy place. The quality and value of Costco food and other items is unbeatable and if you’re unsatisfied with anything you buy, they’ll gladly return it for a full refund. Any family would be lucky to have!


The gift you give to the kids in your life…

Squigz

Parent-friendly Squigz seem to be all the rage among kids this year and they’re reasonably priced at $25.95 for a starter set.

Personalized Books

Make the kids in your life the hero in their favorite story book! These personalized books make reading a more enjoyable experience for both kids and parents and are guaranteed to become something both treasure for years to come! Click the books below and use the promo code SAVE20 for 20% off at Put Me In The Story.

Genius Starter Kit by Osmo

Depending on budget, this next gift comes at a higher price so I might ask another family member to split it but these hands-on learning products from Osmo are hot kid gifts this season!


The gift you give the young adult in your life…

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Apple AirPods

Young adults are particular and almost impossible to buy for. Unless they already have them, you can’t go wrong with giving them Apple AirPods. If you have a Costco membership, the wireless headphones are on sale for $139.00 with free shipping!


The gift you give your mail carrier and other service providers…

Cash or Candy

Don’t forget about the drivers you rely on everyday. You would be surprised how few people think of them and how grateful they are when people do. Under federal regulation however, USPS mail carriers are only allowed to accept gifts of $20 or less in cash. Follow the same guideline for your trash collectors. Fed Ex drivers are allowed to receive tips up to $75.00 in cash and UPS prefers gifts for their drivers but leaves it up to the customer.


Need more ideas? 5 gift ideas that work for nearly anyone! Click here!