Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday

MostHow to be a Host with the Tips for a stress-free holiday

by Renee Roberson photography by Tiffany Ringwald Photography

Pomegranate Prosecco Smash

From How Sweet Eats

• Crushed ice • 1 tablespoon pomegranate arils • 2 ounces pomegranate juice • 1 teaspoon maple syrup • 1 ounce vodka • 4 to 6 ounces prosecco • 1 tablespoon pomegranate arils • a sprig of rosemary for garnish

Instructions:

Fill a glass with crushed ice. Add the pomegranate juice, maple syrup, vodka and stir. Top it off with the prosecco. Add in the arils and garnish with a sprig of rosemary!

Make your-owncocktail trays and charcuterie boards are always a hit when entertaining guests.

You can’t go wrong with mixing traditional holiday colors with faux greenery and classic silver and gold.

Trying to plan for holiday decorating and entertaining can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Looking for some tips on how to deck your halls and welcome guests without all the fuss? We reached out to Lisa McCoy from A House by the Lake Interiors for some advice on how to streamline the holidays, so you’ll have plenty of time to also enjoy the eggnog.

color Me happy

There are many different color palettes you can choose from when decorating for the holidays, from greens and blues, to reds and greens, to reds and golds, to blue and whites. Whether your style is farmhouse, mid-century modern, rustic, coastal, or lakeside retreat, don’t be afraid to personalize your décor with items that are special to you. Guests may be in and out of your home throughout the holidays, but you are the one who gets to enjoy the trees, garlands, ornaments, and accessories the most. This year, McCoy says she’s personalizing her family’s new cottage in in Wrightsville Beach with a “Beachy Blue and Teal Coastal Christmas” theme with clam shell and oyster ornaments mixed in.

Shop for décor at any number of boutiques and stores in the Lake Norman area—they go all out for the holidays! McCoy says her favorite places to shop for décor locally is Lilly & Grace in Mooresville (“the owners are lovely and their store is gorgeous!” says McCoy), Dutchmans Designs and Inspired at Lake Norman, both in Cornelius.

a festive spread

taining pieces in your home. Some of McCoy’s favorites include festive drink glasses, funny cocktail napkins, and drink trays. Purchase a few large linen napkins with holiday patterns. You can put one over a tray a pour a heaping pile of chips around a dip in the center. It’s simple way to add a festive touch to a universal party snack.

Don’t let what to serve overwhelm you. McCoy swears by premade platters from places like Costco. “They are easy, affordable, and already come on catering trays that you can easily add some color garnishes to.” she says.

Charcuterie boards make a great presentation. Fill them to the brim with meats and cheeses, and then spruce the board up in and around the edges with items like cranberries, rosemary, half a pomegranate, figs, and items like red grapes and sliced red apples. For easy prep, cut the items up a day or two in advance and then arrange on a tray before guests arrive.

For beverages, two of McCoy’s favorite beverages to serve while entertaining are slow cooker apple cider and Pomegranate Prosecco Smash (see recipe sidebar on previous page).