The best holiday parties include a fun theme, a great guest list, thoughtful details, delicious food, inventive cocktails, and elements of surprise. We throw many events in our home during the holidays – benefits for our local art foundation, school gatherings and of course parties for family and friends.
Unfortunately for me, a communal party-planning approach can sometimes clash with those of us who want to command the visual and visceral feel of the event. You may read this blog post and look at the photos included and scoff: “There’s no way one woman did all this on her own in real life.” And you’d be right. I did accept the offer of a friend to bake two incredible rustic cakes for our most recent party. She exceeded all expectations by also creating beautiful s’mores platters, which we added to the dessert buffet. I also borrowed many of the stunning design elements from friends, which heightened the visual appeal without denting the party budget.
Decorating a home for the holidays on a small scale is messy. Decorating multiple rooms and outdoor areas is complete chaos. Luckily, I thrive in chaos (my astrology-savvy friend says it’s written in the stars!). But with the right preparation and forethought, planning a holiday event can be easily pulled off.
Over the past decade, I’ve chosen a theme for my holiday parties almost a year in advance. This gives me time to gather ideas and craft a plan of attack. I purchase a few special ornaments and decorations for each theme, but much of the decor is curated with a good old-fashioned edit of what I already own. This year’s theme, Après Ski, for instance, allowed me to repurpose ornaments from past themes—the sleds I purchased for our Northern Lights tree and the gilded pine cone clusters I bought for The Viking Party.
After Halloween, the real work begins. This includes ornament editing and creating signage—I’ve ordered city road signs for Zermatt and Cervinia, two European ski towns. Christmas tree designs are underway. Yes, that’s multiple trees—usually two, but in the past, as many as four. Here’s where an element of surprise comes in. I like to do one ornamented tree and one fantastical tree. When we planned The Viking Party, I designed a tall tree that looked like a fourteen-foot Viking, complete with a horned helmet as the topper and faux animal skins draped around the tree as clothing.
This year, for Après Ski, our fantastical tree in the front entry will feature a skier colliding with a tree. Ski poles and skis askew, the “body” will appear to be flailing through the branches. It’s easier to create than it sounds. A ski hat, goggles, a faux Santa beard (reused from the Chef Santa tree I created for my Italian Christmas theme), a scarf, sweater, wool gloves, ski pants, boots, and an old set of skis were all on hand. I stuffed the clothing with towels and tissue where needed and used zip ties to secure heavier elements, like the ski boots.
To complete the cozy lodge aesthetic, I borrowed faux fur throws and pillows from friends to add to my collection, ensuring each sofa and chair was draped in soft comfort. Lighting also matters more than ever this year. A friend lent me an exterior light that projects snow onto the front of our home. Inside, I used candles, votive holders, and fairy lights throughout, creating a warm glow.
One of the most striking elements of our decor is a ten-by-eight-foot mural of a ski run in the Swiss Alps, framed with Douglas fir garland on the wall behind our sofa. A light orb placed on a wooden wine box illuminates the scene, creating a perfect photo opportunity for guests seated in front of the “window overlooking the Alps.”
The tactile theme extended to the food and drink. Instead of our usual California wines, we served Grüner Veltliner and mulled red wine, along with a hot chocolate stand featuring peppermint sticks and marshmallows. For food, I envisioned an Après Ski experience: fondue with roasted potatoes, cubed bread, and crisp apples, alongside soft pretzels, dried fruits, cheeses, and sausages.
We wrapped our eleven-foot dining table in brown butcher paper, which protects the surface and lets us casually scatter crackers and nuts. For visual interest, I added old wine crates under a sheer gold table runner. Specialty orders—soft pretzels from Shappy’s in Los Angeles and homemade spaetzle from Traditional Kitchen in Florida—rounded out the menu. A simple salad of spring greens, Parmesan, and roasted pine nuts paired with my homemade winter salad dressing was a refreshing addition.
Not everything goes perfectly, of course. This year, the firepit ran out of propane early in the evening. But in true festive spirit, guests used the outdoor heaters to roast marshmallows instead, turning a party hiccup into a memorable moment.
The dessert island featured rustic cakes, macarons, and chocolates, artfully arranged on wooden wine boxes and a green cake stand borrowed from a friend. Faux fur draped over the boxes added texture, and faux ice pellets sprinkled across the display shimmered under hanging candles.
To complete the atmosphere, chill Christmas jazz played in the background while guests lounged in cozy seating areas. One bench area became a perfect spot for card games and conversation, while another table hosted Jenga for added fun.
When the night wound down and most of the guests had left, I sat by the fire with my husband and three dear friends, reflecting on the evening. The dogs, finally freed from the bedroom, joined us. “That was the best party,” my friend Fran remarked. “How can you ever improve on this theme?” my husband asked.
I laughed. But of course, my wheels are already turning. I can’t wait for everyone to see what I have in mind for next year.
OHI HOME STYLE 