Let Us Entertain You: Prepping Your Home for Guests

Somehow, we’re already halfway through November. We can’t believe how quickly this year has breezed by! And we’re welcoming our favorite season with open arms. Sure, the days are getting shorter, but that just means the nights will get that much longer. Catch our drift? Festive parties are our jam, and we can’t wait to host friends and family for some of our favorite holidays: Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving (yes, we consider it a real holiday), Chanukah, Christmas, and every excuse we can think of to get together. We’ve prepared the late-night dance party playlist and, what’s probably more relevant here, rounded up our go-to guide for prepping our home for some cheer (and many rounds of cheers) this season. Now the fun begins.

Laissez les bons temps rouler. Let’s start with arguably the most important part of any party: a well-stocked bar. We love playing mixologist and whipping up drinks as potent as they are beautiful. On our list of drinks to try this season: this bourbon and spiced pear stunner and this sparkling fig and honey libation. Serve these babies up on one of our Rwandan Peace Coasters (also the perfect party favor!), and let liquor-induced shenanigans unfold. And it wouldn’t be a #frankophile fête without a perfectly styled bar cart. Our favorite accents include our fabric covered trays (we are especially loving our new Red Huipil for the holidays), the Ashanti Fertility Doll, the Bronze Horseman, Day of the Dead Skulls, Hamam Bowls, and mini-sized framed art. This cast of characters looks oh-so-chic cuddled up with the array of bottles. Bottoms up!

Turn the tables. With a drink in hand, it’s time to eat! Let’s talk tables. The easiest way to add some fun to your table scape is with a patterned table cloth. We love our hand-sewn Mexican Red Otomi for bold flair and the Mud Cloth for a geometric and dark setting. Add a rustic and sculptural centerpiece with our Wood Bowls from Indonesia. Our new hand-hammered Copper Bowls from India add just the right amount of shine when styled with fall-hued florals as an elegant way to offer nuts or candy. And let’s not forget about the food. Wow your guests with global recipes from one of our cookbooks. Our current drool-worthy obsessions: the homestyle Middle Eastern fare of Cairo Kitchen, the cross-cultural cuisine of the much buzzed about Jerusalem, and the sweet treats of Baklava to Tarte Tatin. Bon Appétit!

Paint the town red. Get your guests in a festive spirit by decorating your home for the holidays. Yes, we know, it’s only November, but it’s never too early in our book. Cozy up in front of the fire with a Baby Alpaca Throw in red or crème, incorporate some red textured Huipil Pillows or the holly-like motif of our Chintamani pillows to your couch or chairs, and hang our stockings front and center on the mantle. And for the finishing touch – trim your tree with our new ornaments (miniature versions of our Day of the Dead Skulls, Stuffed Elephants and Peace Baskets). Now that’s what I call good chemis-tree!

So, what time should we plan on coming over?