4 Must-Have Holiday Decorating Ideas for a Stylish Christmas Party

Blog Summary:

• Learn the essentials of holiday decorating to host an elegant and memorable gathering.
• Discover how thoughtful lighting creates ambiance and luxury holiday party decorations.
• Elevate your bar setup with festive touches and inspiration from luxury brands for hosting a Christmas party in style.
• Make a lasting first impression with chic outdoor décor and Christmas party decoration ideas for your entryway.
• Create show-stopping Christmas party centerpieces and timeless Christmas decorations for party settings with Winward Home’s holiday collection.

The holiday season is here, and it’s time to set your entertaining plans in motion. Sure you have lots to keep track of like gift wrapping, Christmas home decor, and festive baking, but if you are entertaining guests over the holidays then you know that even cozy smaller gatherings require excellent presentation.

Decorating your home can be an overwhelming activity, but there is no need to fret. We have prepared our Christmas/holiday decoration essentials for making a lasting impression this year.

The best festive decor is all about quality over quantity, and we know that some pieces can have a larger impact than others.

1. Light The Way

Lighting for your holiday party should fit the season. There’s something uniquely festive about flames dancing across an open hearth and candles flickering as your guests spend time with one another.

Long candlesticks serve this purpose well, and they should be used as a statement piece on your dinner table as well as around the room to cast light. Candlestick holders are a great way to have a sculpture on your table without taking up too much space, so look for holders with unique, winter-ready designs.

To adequately set the mood, aim to have at least a dozen Simon Pearce tea light candles This is also where you can take inspiration from luxury names like Tiffany & Co., and Lalique, if you so desire, choosing instead festive decorative vases or vessels from Winward Home. Take for instance, our rustic 12” Rutherford Basket, which can be filled with larger votives to complement smaller units with tea lights, or used as a centerpiece to fill with Christmas ornaments, surrounded by tea light candles.

2. An Elegant Bar

Fun holiday cocktails, mocktails,and good wine are some of the must-haves of any successful holiday party for those who partake. Along with ensuring your guests have fine glassware to drink from, outfitting your bar cart or serving station with something that shouts “festive luxury” is a must.

Ensure that you own a coordinating set complete with everything that you may need for your thirsty guests. The jury is out on whether gold, silver, or brass is the most holiday-friendly color scheme. Just make sure it all matches, then start developing your cocktail menu!

Of course, don’t forget to “dress up” your serving station with garlands and appropriately colored napkins and accouterments. For a stationary bar, a mirror does wonders to cast the shining lights of bar crystal around the room. When it comes to hosting a holiday party, think of the way Dior Maison or Ralph Lauren Home style their bars – aim for cohesive, elegant, and layered with texture.

3. The Walk Up

Decorating for a holiday party will take a lot of planning for your indoor space, but don’t forget about what your guests will see when they walk up to the front door.

After dropping off their wheels with the complimentary valet service (a smart choice to avoid any pedestrian mishaps on icy sidewalks), give your friends and family a great first impression with modest-colored outdoor lighting (white lights on your home’s trim is suitable). Take down those kitschy blow-up decorations for the day.

Your front door should feature a wreath that makes a statement without being too over-the-top. Winward Home faux wreaths are an excellent choice, especially since they don’t require watering.

Additionally, consider allowing the theme of your interior décor to be visible from outdoors. For instance, if you have a chalet-chic interior, pair it with vintage skiis left on the porch. Or, if your vibe is more holiday luxe, consider a pair of micro pines guarding the front door. These Christmas party decoration ideas echo what luxury brands like Chanel, Van Cleef & Arpels or Dior might do, showing consistency from exterior to interior and creating an altogether cohesive (and festive!) look.

4. A Show-Stopping Centerpiece

When hosting a Christmas party, some of you may opt to serve hors d’oeuvres , while others will host a formal sit-down meal instead. Regardless, there is one necessity for dressing your table to achieve the maximum level of class: Christmas party centerpieces.

But the centerpiece is just the beginning of a holiday tablescape. A truly classy and festive table includes other tasteful holiday party decorations, too. There are so many ways that you can make your table seem magical. For instance, faux garlands serve as a backdrop for your spread (hopefully you have excellent taste in holiday dinnerware), while a faux floral or greenery centerpiece does more than just draw compliments. It sets the tone of your entire interior Christmas home decor philosophy – so make it count.

Winward Home’s Holiday Collection includes pine tree, Christmas berry, hydrangea, and our signature Amaryllis flower for your perfect centerpiece.

The best part: the lifelike artificial centerpieces won’t wither or drop leaves, and require almost no maintenance. That’s one less item on your holiday party planning list to worry about.

Inspiring Your Decor This Holiday Season

Looking for even more inspiration for holiday decor this season? Check out our decorating for the holiday season blog post for more insights that you can use to color the Christmas decorations for a party that your guests won’t likely forget!

Shop our faux greenery for centerpieces, wreaths, and other Christmas faux floral arrangements to level up your interior decor this year.