Earlier this year, we asked our fans to share how they prepare a perfectly elegant Christmas party for their friends and family in our Balsam Hill Blog Contest. Elizabeth Copeland responded with not only wonderful decor ideas, but also recipes for delicious party treats that will be a hit with your guests. Reposted from her blog, Water Rolls Uphill, read on to find out just how this mother of three throws a simple, pitch perfect Christmas gathering that is a feast for both the spirit and the senses.
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Elegant Christmas Party Must-Haves
by Elizabeth Copeland of Water Rolls Uphill
Last year, my Christmas tree fell three times. Sad, isn’t it? Imagine my despair as I stood surrounded by pine needles and shattered ornaments (three times!), and I’m sure that you will agree that my last thought was how to have the perfect Christmas soiree. However, as I sit relaxing and enjoying company, I am reflecting on how to share a wonderful Christmas evening with friends and family. I also threw my hat in the ring to win an extravagant $10,000 shopping spree at Balsam Hill (you can enter on their Facebook page). [Editor's note: This sweepstakes ended on December 12, 2012.]
My parents have a very pretty, stable Christmas tree with a lifetime of cherished heirloom ornaments on it. I unfortunately, do not, but that won’t stop me from finding and creating new memories with the help of my family this year. My tree decorations might be sparse, but I’m full of great ideas for celebrating the season!
My parents’ Christmas tree, as I don’t have one up yet.
The simply Elegant DIY Christmas Party:
- Invite plenty of people you love and enjoy.
- Beautiful decorations – you can find some great wreaths and garlands at Balsam Hill, glitter pillar candles, a beautiful ruffled tree skirt (use a circle skirt pattern and sew strips together to achieve the required lengths necessary, leave one side seam open to add ties to for ease of opening/closing), a Jesse tree.
- Tasty treats: spinach artichoke dip, sausage balls, bruschetta, hollowed cucumber cups with hummus or tzatziki dip, mini quiches, smoked salmon with baguettes, cheese tray, Honey Baked Ham and yeast rolls, broccoli salad, and a fruit bouquet (these are easy to make with floral foam and bamboo skewers).
- A great finale: Chocolate cake with peppermint bark frosting with vanilla ice cream on the side (butter cream frosting with a bit of peppermint oil and broken up peppermint bark.
- Pretty things for the hostess: Boogie Woogie cocktail dress and black stilettos.
- Something pretty to share with your guests: simple glitter ornaments, layer a cursive initial for the guest’s last name over the silver glitter with a second color.
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Elizabeth also kindly agreed to participate in an email interview with us, which will be published on Christmas Eve. In it, you can learn how her family is celebrating Christmas this year. You can also find out more about Elizabeth on her blog, Water Rolls Uphill.
About Jessica
Inspired by my passion for the visual arts and my years of experience in the field of design, I enjoy a life of style and artistry. I am a devoted follower of minimalism and I believe in the marriage of form and function. I try to live by these principles, from my subtle but classic fashion sense when it comes to clothes and jewelry, to the various projects I manage and work on in my professional career
Influenced by the refined grace of Coco Chanel, the timeless beauty of my favorite city, Stockholm, and the new ideas and trends I read from design books, I try to infuse my life with elegance and sophistication. Join me on Balsam Hill’s blog to get my tips and advice on home design and personal style.
