Guest Post by Marlene M. Kristoff

Style at a Certain Age Saturday guest editor Marlene M. Kristoff shares luxury retail, home, and design ideas.

Your Holiday Table…a gift of love!

As we approach this final week…breathe deeply and have joyous thoughts of setting festive
tableaux for those you love!

Be it cocktail, buffet, or sit down…or bar cart – let’s make it beautiful! You might even have more than one! Maybe a children’s table too? A separate dessert table or several smaller tables since the family is growing!!

Christmas Candle Holder

Might you be hosting a Holiday at Home Wedding Reception?

Alsace Tabletop Tree

Your table might be an intimate table for two…or 6,12, or 24?? Beautiful fun is in order!! Whether you’re hosting for the first time, as a new couple, or having a traditional “across the river and through the woods” dinner at Grandma’s house, let’s enjoy the process and cater to having a memorable table and dinner!!

Noel Dinnerware

Grenadier Stripe Plate

Will you be using inherited dinnerware, holiday or seasonal specific, recently purchased or received? Enjoy all!

White Dinner Plate

Maybe you are trying to use and elevate your “everyday set??” Creating charm and memories…are our goals!  Plan to check your lists of all sorts…pantry, candles, linens, champagne, liqueurs, and all!

Let’s not forget all the wonderful accessories that add whimsy and function to dining, too… from gifts at each place to the butter dishes, pitchers, salt and peppers, vases, and centerpiece too! Including antique pieces to personalize your settings is totally charming…maybe a wine coaster, salt cellars, knife rests…. have fun!

Please, remember unscented candles for the table so that they won’t compete with the glorious spells of
your holiday feast! ‘Tis the season of candles of all sorts and a snuffer! Ensure you have many on hand…
votives, pillars, and dripless tapers! Lots of these special items make wonderful hostess gifts, too!

Lismore Salt and Pepper Shakers

Candle Snuffer

When the main table is especially long, it is nice to have the necessities (salt, pepper, butter, gravy, wine, water) at both ends…so not too much passing is needed. Of course, these are included in each table…if there are several. Put yourself in your guest’s “place.” What do you need…what does your grandmother need? This might be a great reason to add place cards, so “special needs” of all kinds are met. “Placing” a caring son or young nephew next to a favorite aging Aunt will be sweet and create memories to last lifetimes.

Unscented Pinecone Candles | Unscented Dripless Candles

Velvet Trim Napkins

Holiday Dinnerware

Heritage Plates

Hemstitch Napkins

Dinner Plates

Amaryllis Plates

Anthurium Plant

A Passion for Interiors

Today, many holiday designs are even created on Bamboo, Melamine, or paper for the kiddies table…. or
for cookie plate giving!

Theming your table is great fun! No matter where you live, a ranch in Wyoming, a farm in Ohio, mansion in Bel Air, apartment in Soho, or condo in Back Bay…Christmas is Christmas! Let’s consider the locale for your inspirational table setting theme! Maybe it’s all white and frosty like snow to remind you of east coast Christmases past…and you’re missing “winter!” Maybe it’s wood, pinecones, or antlers for the ranch or cabin. Maybe it is heritage Red, White & Green for Italian or Mexican inspired Christmas. Christmas is everywhere! Let’s celebrate with personalized décor or menu – Feliz Navidad, Noël, and Buon Natale!!

Palmyra Glassware | Palm Candle Holders

If you are jetting off to Palm Beach or Hawaii on the 26th, maybe palms and pineapples with Anthuriums
will be your theme to create the tropical feeling in advance! However, you choose your theme, let it be
fun…casual, or formal – let it be you!! Add fresh flowers, pine, evergreens, and all your love and joy!!

I send Christmas Wishes to all of you from San Francisco! Please enjoy!! xoxo MMK

Guest Post by Marlene M. Kristoff

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Beth Djalali

is the Founder and CEO of Style at a Certain Age. She writes Sundays-Fridays on all topics ranging from fashion, health, wellness, home design and more.

She’s 65, 5’8, and size 8.

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