Chic Tips That Special Something
The holidays are a perfect time to focus on the little flourishes that make an occasion unforgettable. Garnish mugs of hot chocolate with a peppermint stick; place a sprig of holly berries at each place setting, or send guests home with a tin of your family’s “famous” cookie recipe. No matter how small, these gestures are sure to make each guest feel cherished.
Rules of Order
A perfectly-set table needn’t be difficult or arcane; feel free to adapt the traditional rules by giving them a modern twist! The key is to place everything in order of use and within easy reach. Glasses should be arranged in order of descending height and placed at the top right of the dinner plate. Dinner forks are set to the left of the plate, salad forks are set to the outside of dinner forks, and knives are to the right with the blade facing in. Spoons are set to the outside of the knife when a soup course is served. The bread plate goes above the forks, with the butter knife handle on the right side and placed diagonally across the edge of the plate.
Jingle Bell Rock
These are a few of my favorite holiday tunes to put a special spin on cocktail hour: Baby it's Cold Outside, Dean Martin All I Want for Christmas is You, Mariah Carey Santa Baby, Eartha Kitt Little Saint Nick , The Beach Boys It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Andy Williams Santa Claus is Coming to Town , Jackson 5 Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!, Ella Fitzgerald Winter Wonderland, Jason Mraz
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