Joyful Holiday Photo Shoot

peppermint-diy-tray-red-white-joy-holiday-party-christmas-table-silver-tree

We just realized we never shared one of our first and favorite photo shoots on the blog. It’s a favorite because we were able to work with our friend and photographer, Meredith Moran Photography, and because amongst all the pretty red and white details, our children were running around in the background at our parents house. It was a lot of chaos, but also a lot of laughter, and if you can laugh in the midst of the chaos, that can be a good thing.

We hope you make the DIY peppermint tray this Christmas season and find the time experience pure joy, just like the marquee lights by Saddleshoe Designs reminds us to do.

peppermint-diy-tray-red-white-joy-holiday-party-christmas-table-silver-tree

peppermint-diy-tray-red-white-joy-holiday-party-christmas-table-silver-tree

peppermint-diy-tray-red-white-joy-holiday-party-christmas-table-silver-tree

peppermint-diy-tray-red-white-joy-holiday-party-christmas-table-silver-tree

peppermint-diy-tray-red-white-joy-holiday-party-christmas-table-silver-tree

peppermint-diy-tray-red-white-joy-holiday-party-christmas-table-silver-tree

peppermint-diy-tray-red-white-joy-holiday-party-christmas-table-silver-tree

peppermint-diy-tray-red-white-joy-holiday-party-christmas-table-silver-tree

hot-cocoa-to-go-mason-jar-candy-cane

peppermint-diy-tray-red-white-joy-holiday-party-christmas-table-silver-tree

peppermint-diy-tray-red-white-joy-holiday-party-christmas-table-silver-tree

joy-marquee-light-red-white-christmas-party

Vendor Love:
Photography: Meredith Moran Photography | Marquee Lights: Saddleshoe Signs | Tabletop Accessories and Stationery: Fleur de Lis, a paperie 

Cocktails and Canvas + Wayfair Wish List and {GIVEAWAY}

cocktails and canvas holiday party with way fair

The holiday season is here, and along with the joy and cheer, comes a lot of stress too. We get it…seriously, a dinner party for 4 can stress us out. So, before you fret about your guests’ arrival and how you are going to entertain them, we have a fabulous party idea and tips that will help you stand out as Hostess with the Mostess.

And, we have an AMAZING giveaway for you to enter today. You have a chance to win $500 from our favorite new shopping spot for zillion things home, Wayfair. Keep reading.

Our dear family friends own a gorgeous home, and one of our favorite rooms in their home is an art room. When they host guests, a night of cocktail and canvas is always a highlight of the trip. So, their room served as the source of inspiration for today’s Cocktail & Canvas Holiday Party.

Wouldn’t you love to gather with friends and family adorned in ugly Christmas sweaters, in a room draped with colorful holiday lights, and enjoy a night filled with cocktails, paint, creativity, laughter and cheer? Sign us up.

cocktail and canvas holiday entertaining with way fair

10 Tips to Host a Cocktails & Canvas Holiday Party

  • First, ask guests to wear their finest ugly Christmas Sweaters, or take it upon yourself to buy them at local thrift stores. The memories of ugly Christmas sweaters are priceless.
  • Create a dynamic playlist. Just like bad music can ruin a wedding reception, poor music selection during a holiday celebration can be a Debbie-downer. You should have the classics like Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole, and throw some Josh Groban, Kelly Clarkson and Michael Bublé in the mix too.
  • Have a bar cart easily accessible…and stocked. We lust after the beautiful images of bar carts like this. A more practical cart like below would totally work too. Either way, stock it with essentials such as, Vodka, Whiskey, Soda Water, Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, lemons and limes, ice, Champagne, Red and White wine and beer. Don’t forget the bar cart tools and glassware.
  • Provide every artist with art supplies. Buy a rainbow of paint colors for your artists’ palette. It is best to use plastic plates instead of paper so the paint doesn’t bleed through. And, give each artist at least 5 brushes in a range of sizes. Don’t forget the canvas and easels too.

cocktails and canvas holiday entertaining with wayfair

  • Ask guests to paint a holiday scene. It can be their favorite memory of Christmas, humorous Christmas with the Griswold’s-inspired, antler art, Christmas trees, lights, bows or even Santa.
  • Have a guest room ready for those who need to crash. Here’s a quick rundown of our favorite guest room essentials: Keep extra pillows and blankets in the closet. Keep a basket of toiletries next to the sink. Essentials include a toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash and lotion, wash cloths and body towels. To really impress, add some pain relievers in case a hangover is imminent. Keep bottled water and a glass on the nightstand. And finally, have a pile of magazines and books close by for those who want to read.
  • Make it a tradition to remember. Just like our friends do with each guest, take a photo of everyone holding their artwork, and hang the photos in the room or for a memory book. Then, ask each guest to add his or her thumbprint on a large canvas among fellow artists in the gallery. Their thumbprints would be great ornaments on a tree or bulbs on a string of lights.

cocktails and canvas

cocktails and canvas holiday entertaining with way fair

  • Provide heavy appetizers for your guests and a signature cocktail like this. An artist needs his/her energy and a good flow of creativity. And, stock the fridge with eggs, bread, butter, bacon, eggs, fresh fruit, yogurt and granola because in the morning, it will be a crowd pleaser, especially for those feeling the effects of good cheer the night before.
  • Send your guests home with their art. After they take their mug shot and provide prints, the canvas is their favor for the evening…a piece of art for their home, and wonderful memories.
  • Shop our Wayfair Wish List for everything you need to host a fabulous Cocktail & Canvas Holiday Celebration.

cocktails and canvas holiday party with wayfair

  1. PVIFS Aluminum I Frame Utility Table
  2. Buffalo Tools Amerihome 30″ Bar Stool (Set of 4)
  3. Altra Marshall 29.92″ 3-Shelf Rolling Utility Cart
  4. Cheungs 3 Piece Metal Bucket Set with Handles
  5. Fredrix Red Label Stretched Canvas (Set of 6)
  6. Chenille Kraft Paint Brushes
  7. Quartet Tabletop Instant Easel
  8. Wintergreen Lighting 70 Light String LED Lights
  9. Crayola Portfolio Series Acrylic Paints

Don’t forget about the giveaway so you can throw your own Cocktails & Canvas Holiday Party.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 j. sorelle received a gift card for this post, however we love Wayfair, even if they didn’t send us any form of payment, and all opinions are ours, we promise.

{images via friend and Wayfair}

Winter Open House Tips

the entertaining shoppe_winter open house

Winter has officially arrived in Colorado with chilly temps and snow. So, the fire is blazing, we’re sipping hot chocolate and the holiday season is finally on our minds {and less than 7 weeks away}. Whether you like it or not, the holiday season is here, and it’s time to start thinking about holiday parties, sparkly accessories, holiday shopping and holly music.

The Winter Open House we’re sharing with you today really lifts our holiday spirits and will give you great inspiration for your own beautiful, holiday party. The fabulous team at The Entertaining Shoppe {remember Kerri Cole and her amazing DIY book page wall} set up a classic open house that would make for a heart-warming family reunion or neighborhood gathering…and the good news is, once you set up the decorations for the party, you can leave the classic decorations up for the entire winter.

As Hayley from The Entertaining Shoppe said, ” The combination of Basics and hand-crafted party products make this an event to remember (and host) again and again.”

 We love the creative way they incorporated pinecones throughout the decor and details {after all, pinecones hold a meaning of rebirth}, created a contemporary cocoa bar and signature cocktail bar and infused pops of red and white color in every room.

Some of our faves from the party that you can purchase include the Red Ribbon & Pinecone Swags {window ornaments}, Red Ribbon & Pinecone Garland  and the Winter House Party Go To Kit.

Cheers to the upcoming holidays…and Pomegranate Champagne Punch. Yum.

the enteraining shoppe_winter open house

the entertaining shoppe_winter open house

the entertaining shoppe_winter open house

the entertaining shoppe_winter open house

the entertaining shoppe_winter open house

the entertaining shoppe_winter open house

the entertaining shoppe_winter open house

the entertaining shoppe_winter open house

the entertaining shoppe_winter open house

the entertaining shoppe_winter open house

the entertaining shoppe_winter open house

the entertaining shoppe_winter open house

the entertaining shoppe_winter open house

the entertaining shoppe_winter open house

the entertaining shoppe_winter open house

The Entertaining Shoppe is a Denver-based company that makes party planning easier for everyone. It’s a one-stop-shoppe for the host/hostess looking to gather inspiration for party decor, menu tips and games, as well as purchase party basics such as glassware, napkins and straws and all the handmade and unique essentials for a special party. Some of our favorite parties their site features include a winter skate party, children’s birthdays, and baby and bridal showers.

{images via The Entertaining Shoppe}