Holiday Entertaining on a Budget with KABC
We LOVE Jane Monreal of KABC -- Talk about beautiful, fun and professional. She just came to Orange County to tape a "Holiday Entertaining on a Budget" story with the talented Chef Jamie Gwen and the ever-fabulous Brian Dobbin. Chef Jamie made all of the food while Brian brought to life an article about him and his home entertaining ideas for the holiday in Orange Coast's November issue.Check out the story here: www.orangecoastmagazine.com
Diana Martin Gifts Gives Entertaining Tips
Diana Martin, a gift and lifestyle expert, offers the following thoughts and tips on entertaining this holiday season.
A sentimental and traditional setting is given a modern twist with style. It is all about embellishments, details and the personal touch.
The table is more than just a table. It reflects who we are and how we live. It’s the place we break bread, convene with family and friends, celebrate a holiday, toast life’s most important, as well as most private moments. The table is filled with memories of the past and those to be written in the future. It’s a blank canvas inviting your personal expression and creativity.
Diana Martin’s Tips for a memorable holiday table:
The table is more than just a table. It reflects who we are and how we live. It’s the place we break bread, convene with family and friends, celebrate a holiday, toast life’s most important, as well as most private moments. The table is filled with memories of the past and those to be written in the future. It’s a blank canvas inviting your personal expression and creativity.
Diana Martin’s Tips for a memorable holiday table:
Votives create intimacy ~ people look best in candlelight. Small votives along the table or scattered will enhance the evening’s warmth, mood and conversation
Add your personal favorites to the table ~ an antique silver cup is ideal to hold flowers or a special paperweight for decoration; small is ok!
Create a table as unique as the moment ~ mix and match traditional place settings with art glass, hammered metal, ceramics. Use different surfaces such as a mirror placemat with linen placemats and cloisonne napkin rings.
Comfort is extremely important, even in the grandest of occasions. Create a sense of real luxury and ease by expressing your personal style with your table setting. Items that appear to be imposing, artificial or impersonal are taboo.
Scent is just as important as the visual. Fresh garden flowers, herbs, branches are just as aromatically enticing as the apple pie or roast turkey in the oven.
Quality wine glasses are a must. Riedel offers a wide variety of precisely engineered glasses for all kinds of wines and spirits in a range of prices.
Think about the tone of the evening and your guest list when creating your table setting
Be organized! When you go to someone’s house and they’re not ready for dinner, it’s stressful. Have the table set and platters out. Think about where the guest will sit. When you are organized, you are more at ease and so will the guests.
When in doubt, less is more! Simple is chic. Remember, it only takes one fabulous thing to make your guests feel great. Make one special drink or cook the juiciest roast turkey.