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Prepping for Holiday Guests

12/10/13 | home decor

Between reading the wonderful Golden White Decor blog, one of my favorites, and seeing all of the amazing home items for sale at the Union Square Holiday Market on Sunday with Karly it really got me thinking – if I was hosting for the holidays, how would I decorate?

In my tiny apartment the Andy Warhol saying, one’s company, two’s a crowd, and three’s a party really is true because anyone in addition to my two roommates does make it quite “cozy”.  Well, if I could dream and have a big, big house I would have tons of people over for the holidays and definitely deck out my house.  The British home store Urbanara has a whole plethora of great items and I definitely would go on a little shopping spree there.  Here are a few of my top picks:

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 
Can you tell my future home will have a blue color scheme?  These nine items would definitely be in my house over the holidays for one reason or another: 
1) Guests always need somewhere to throw all of their sheets and towels at the end of a stay so why not decorate the room with an interesting, decorative laundry basket? 
2)  You really can never go wrong with a cashmere throw…. 
3)  Bowls of munchies around the house are an absolutely must and it so easy to do so with cute, decorative bowls. 
4) Just because they are kids doesn’t mean they can’t have nice sheets. 
5) The arrival of guests can be a great excuse the purchase some of those decorative pieces you still have left to buy.  I am massively crushing on this Petrol, blue and cream runner with a gradient design. 
6) Candles are just part of the holidays.  Simple as that. 
7)  If guests are staying at your home instead of a hotel why not offer them a bathrobe? Soft, snuggly ones are my favorite. 
8)  Plush towels always make me feel welcome and I love the idea of new towels you can use long after the guests are gone, especially in 100% Supima cotton.
9)  I have seen many top home and interior design bloggers using contrasting placemats and I would definitely jump on that trend. 
No, none of these items are red or green because, like I mentioned, my house will be blue, and guest rooms do not need to be as holiday overload as the living room and Christmas decorations.  And this way, you can use them year round.  
Do you have people coming over for the holidays? 
 How do you prepare? 
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Comments

  1. kelsey bang says

    December 11, 2013 at 11:16 pm

    this is so fun!

  2. kelsey bang says

    December 11, 2013 at 11:16 pm

    this is so fun!

  3. Alice says

    December 10, 2013 at 9:21 pm

    This post is so helpful, thank you for sharing. This reminds me… I’d better finish my Christmas shopping! If you’re stuck in your Christmas shopping or want an idea for an inexpensive stocking stuffer, check out Dorco’s holiday bundle packs. We’re a shaving company and our razors cost 30-70% less than leading brands. See our prices for yourself and read what others have to say about our products at DorcoUSA.com. Thank you again for this post and Happy Holidays!

  4. Alice says

    December 10, 2013 at 9:21 pm

    This post is so helpful, thank you for sharing. This reminds me… I’d better finish my Christmas shopping! If you’re stuck in your Christmas shopping or want an idea for an inexpensive stocking stuffer, check out Dorco’s holiday bundle packs. We’re a shaving company and our razors cost 30-70% less than leading brands. See our prices for yourself and read what others have to say about our products at DorcoUSA.com. Thank you again for this post and Happy Holidays!

  5. Kelly Ann says

    December 10, 2013 at 4:33 pm

    I know, I could totally see them in your living room!

  6. Kelly Ann says

    December 10, 2013 at 4:33 pm

    I agree, for both the bedrooms and living room!

  7. Kelly Ann says

    December 10, 2013 at 4:33 pm

    That is such a good idea, I love when people do that!

  8. Kelly Ann says

    December 10, 2013 at 4:32 pm

    Me too, wishful thinking right now though!

  9. Kelly Ann says

    December 10, 2013 at 4:32 pm

    Thanks Arin!

  10. Kelly Ann says

    December 10, 2013 at 4:32 pm

    My favorite things to put in them are roasted peanuts and pistachios!

  11. Kelly Ann says

    December 10, 2013 at 4:32 pm

    Thanks Laiza, they are so pretty!

  12. Laiza Rentería says

    December 10, 2013 at 2:38 pm

    Love your selection of things, I like the candles so so much!!
    xx
    L.
    http://www.lalouuula.com

  13. Sarah says

    December 10, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    Yes yes yes to adorable bowls with snacks around the house!

  14. arin says

    December 10, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    those candles are way too cute! Heart of Chic

  15. Laiza Rentería says

    December 10, 2013 at 2:38 pm

    Love your selection of things, I like the candles so so much!!
    xx
    L.
    http://www.lalouuula.com

    • Kelly says

      December 10, 2013 at 4:32 pm

      Thanks Laiza, they are so pretty!

  16. Sarah says

    December 10, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    Yes yes yes to adorable bowls with snacks around the house!

    • Kelly says

      December 10, 2013 at 4:32 pm

      My favorite things to put in them are roasted peanuts and pistachios!

  17. arin says

    December 10, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    those candles are way too cute! Heart of Chic

    • Kelly says

      December 10, 2013 at 4:32 pm

      Thanks Arin!

  18. Kristin Thompson says

    December 10, 2013 at 1:19 pm

    This is a great list! I can’t wait to have people at my house for the holidays some day!

    Kristin
    crumbsandcurls.blogspot.com

  19. Kristin Thompson says

    December 10, 2013 at 1:19 pm

    This is a great list! I can’t wait to have people at my house for the holidays some day!

    Kristin
    crumbsandcurls.blogspot.com

    • Kelly says

      December 10, 2013 at 4:32 pm

      Me too, wishful thinking right now though!

  20. Brooke Reagan says

    December 10, 2013 at 11:45 am

    I also love putting cute soaps and decorative napkins in the bathroom : )

    Brooke du jour
    http://www.brookedujour.com

  21. Angela Keeley-White says

    December 10, 2013 at 11:28 am

    We had company last weekend, and lots of blankets are a must for the cooler weather!

    xo,
    Angela

  22. Alyssa says

    December 10, 2013 at 11:25 am

    Those pillar candles are so pretty–I love the clean white look!

  23. Brooke Reagan says

    December 10, 2013 at 11:45 am

    I also love putting cute soaps and decorative napkins in the bathroom : )

    Brooke du jour
    http://www.brookedujour.com

    • Kelly says

      December 10, 2013 at 4:33 pm

      That is such a good idea, I love when people do that!

  24. Angela Keeley-White says

    December 10, 2013 at 11:28 am

    We had company last weekend, and lots of blankets are a must for the cooler weather!

    xo,
    Angela

    • Kelly says

      December 10, 2013 at 4:33 pm

      I agree, for both the bedrooms and living room!

  25. Alyssa says

    December 10, 2013 at 11:25 am

    Those pillar candles are so pretty–I love the clean white look!

    • Kelly says

      December 10, 2013 at 4:33 pm

      I know, I could totally see them in your living room!

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog.  I am a New York City girl at heart but I moved to London in the Spring of 2018!

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