Monday, December 28, 2009

Top Tips for Hosting a 2010 New Year's Eve


Having a New Years Eve party at your house may seem a little more stressful than one would like, however, if you follow a few simple tips you might spend a little more time enjoying the festivities and a little less time worrying. First off, I think it's important to realize what the host (you) should be responsible for. YOU are responsible for decorating the home, inviting the guests, making some of the food (please make it easier on yourself and ask other people to bring stuff too!), and serving people (this doesn't necessarily mean waiting on them hand and foot!).

As for the decorating, I would not only go for your usual New Years Eve banner, but if you plan to sit at the dining room table for your dinner, you should also consider sprucing up your table as well with a few extra tabletop accessories. These can be utilized however you see fit. I bought a table at a clearance furniture store about 2 years ago that fits approximately 25 people. It's a HUGE "Bruce Wayne" table which is fantastic for my large family and it's stunningly beautiful. In my case since I know I have a lot of people coming I would try to buy doubles or quadruples of specific items like beverage dispensers and barware.


This way everyone's not reaching over each other and knocking over things! Also, consider flowers. I know this could be considered a little fancy schmancy, but I love flowers. I think they totally dress the table and depending on the season, in this case winter time, you can still get some really nice plants and flowers. Try poinsettias, unless you have animals! Also, to set the mood try candleholders, wine decanters (buy a few!), and some new plates, dinnerware and silverware. This doesn't need to be a thousand dollar table, you can place a few objects into eyes view and make it really pop without spending a ton of money!

Monday, December 21, 2009

The Best In Tabletop Accessories and Drink Dispensers To Entertain Your Guests!


Personally, I'm one of those people that doesn't see a table as just a table. There are so many different things you can be doing with your table to make it so much more entertaining. People by nature enjoy visually stimulating objects. If you place a white piece of canvas in front of a group of people and bring in a painting done by an artist - they are always going to gravitate towards the more colorful and stimulating object rather than the plain object. This is pretty much common sense.

I don't think people realize though that your table is the same way. You don't have to have it looking plain Jane. Add some flair! Add some color! Add some beautiful pieces and drink dispensers and you are going to have your guests talking for hours about the beautiful crystal wine or brandy decanter you have on the table. You are going to have people asking where you got the drink dispensers and how it looks like it costs a lot. You will be the talk of the town when just adding and adjusting a few simple things.

I know some of you are scared to replace anything you have now or to add too much color! If you are nervous you don't have to go crazy with colors. A couple of accent colors such as red, green, blue or pink are going to go a long way, especially if your tabletop accessories were limited to really dull colors! People are going to notice the small things as well! The point here is to go outside of your little box, but to also do what feels "comfortable" to you! It is your table after all!

Hey, if I had my choice I would add a crazy Jamaican theme just to see you squirm and realize in the end that it wasn't that bad (and kind of fun!). But this is your home, your table and your choice! However, if you would like to change a few of your tabletop accessories, you have a whole truck load of options to choose from. So go crazy, go classy, just go go go!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Theme Tabletop Accessories Will Make Your Guests Feel Excited!

Mexican Theme Dinner

If you can, picture this: a regular table, nothing spectacular, boring dishes, and plastic salt and pepper shakers. Kind of dull, huh? Well, the great thing about tabletops is that you can virtually choose any products and spruce up the table. I mean, we're talking about everything from patterned dishes, to innovative eating utensils, and functional beverage dispensers to high-quality glasses and barware. You can quite literally choose any style, any design or any theme you want.

These themes can be a one-time thing such as something for a special occasion, or you could customize the themes to fit into your everyday lifestyle! I know a lot of people that are major foodies, and they quite often have food parties where they will invite a handful of people over for a few different food testing recipes. Usually the hostess will arrange a spectacular array of all sorts of themed tabletop accessories such as the ones above. This really gets people in the mood for food! But it also sets the mood of the table as well as the tone for the party.

For example, if she is trying some really interesting delicacies that most people haven't tried before, she usually goes for a really funky or wild theme. Or if it's something that we're all familiar with she might go with something a little more classy and clean looking. It's going to depend on you and what you're looking for, but the great thing about all the options in front of you is that you're surely going to find something that not only you fall in love with, but your guests do as well!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Tabletop Accessories & Other Party Ideas!


Well it’s that time of year again - Christmas and New Years are just around the corner. Chances are you probably like to throw parties as much as I do! When it comes to throwing a party, one of the things you may start to look into are tabletop accessories. These are going to be items like candleholders, candles, beverage dispensers, dinnerware, and napkin rings! These tabletop accessories are going to bring a whole 'nother ballgame to your table.

Not only are they useful for functional reasons, but they are also decorative and can even tie in a theme to your table! You have a ton of choices ahead of you such as different colors, shapes, functions, materials and textiles and much more! You could do a fun themed table and do something funky like a Hawaiian type theme or you could go for something more classy and use clean white dishes and bowls, crystal glasses and beverage dispensers along with crystal candleholders.

You can also add a dash of color as well with napkin rings, napkins, or even something completely different such as an array of flowers in the middle of the table with a beautiful see through vase! All of these ideas are superb, but as per usual since it's your table you can accessorize it ANY way you want. So get going! Visit www.ClassicHostess.com and see what sorts of ideas you can come up with!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Wish You Could Find The Perfect Piece For Your Tabletop?


Most people will plan out their home and decorating style to the T. Everything from where to put specific pieces, to what color or style theme they want to go with and what kinds of plates they want on their table. However, most of them don't really realize how difficult it is to find tabletop accessories - especially if your family is like mine! Everyone always ends up in the kitchen or at the table for some reason! Sometimes people get "stage fright" that what they put on their table is going to be gawked at or made fun of.

Frankly, I don't think you should care what anyone says about your tabletop accessories choices, but if you really feel like you need to stick to the normal also allowing yourself to add a small touch of panache here and there - then so be it! There are all kinds of choices when it comes to tabletop accessories for you normal folks (and for us funky folks too) such as beverage dispensers for water, wine decanters or other drinks, different kinds of napkins and matching rings and also different kinds of candle holders.

All of these options are going to come in different styles, shapes, sizes and colors. If you want to subdue the colors and shapes you can do this as well by picking out conventional options along with natural and light colors and shapes! For the funky people, you can choose all the same stuff, but you can choose some really crazy shapes and colors. This is really going to bring your table to people's attention - so make sure you really want it!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Put Some Extra Zing On Your Tabletop!

You have to admit it, we live in a pretty awesome world. Things are ever changing, and it seems like with most products - you get so many choices and options and styles that it really seems like there is something for everyone.

I love this because I don't think anyone should be counted out just because they have an old world style or a funky fresh style. Everyone should be able to "dress" their table up however they want to. And with all the products available today, no one should have to miss out on tabletop accessories for their home because of the sheer amount of styles!

You could even go with a theme if that suits you better than a style. When I was searching around online I found one magazine article where they were taking photos of different people's tabletops. Some of them were theme-y while others had an actual style to them. Everything from Mediterranean and Hawaiian to various color themes like Baby Blue and Rosy Red. What do you like? Take your pick! I know for me, I like all the funky stuff, contemporary is what you would call it I suppose.

Take a look at this funky drink dispenser that you wouldn't normally see on a table:

And believe me, there are tons of cool beverage dispensers in ALL kinds of shapes and

It's all good with me because it all fits me personality oh so well! If it's something different from you? Great! Visit www.ClassicHostess.com and take your pick!

Monday, November 9, 2009

The Best in Tabletop Accessories for your Home!

Most people will do whatever they want in their homes as far as styles, themes and decorations go. And good for them! They should be able to use whatever color tones and styles they want, because after all, if they are the ones that have to live there - they may as well enjoy it!

One of the most popular types of decorating is by using tabletop accessories - obviously these are accessories for your tabletops. They don't necessarily need to be dining room tables though, they can pretty much be any table you have in your home such as a sofa table or a bedside table.

If you are considering the tabletop as in a dining room table, there are SO many options for you to choose from. Seriously, if you can't find a style, theme or accessory that you like, then maybe you should change your decorating style! If I had to guess a number, I would say that you have about a million different options to choose from, maybe even more once you factor in different colors, shapes, sizes, etc.

I know that my style is all about funky stuff - it just makes me feel like my house, is really a home!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Tabletop Accessories Have Come A Long Way!

Retro Dinner?!
Are you still using your grandma's tabletop accessories? It's time for change!


I remember the days when on the family dining table we used to have only the few basic accessories. But over the years, thanks to companies and manufactures, this has changed dramatically!

Not only can you add all sorts of different styles and themes to your tabletops at home, but you can also choose from thousands of different options. This really is going to allow you to "decorate" your table and make it look like whatever YOU want.

You could completely customize the table by adding a new theme or style on different occasions, or keep it same for as long as you want. Either way, with tabletop accessories you will be sure to wow your guests and hear a few (or a lot) of compliments about this or that! Also, don't forget about the silver, servers, dinnerware and napkin rings - these items specifically are known as the "piece de resistance", the main focus of the table!

Usually if you have a hard time choosing tabletop accessories like beverage dispensers or candles, it's also a good idea to start at the main focus of the table and move on from there! And don't forget to visit www.ClassicHostess.com for unique tabletop accessories.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Keep the the Kellers and the Shermans apart with Place Card Holders

I don’t how, I don’t know why, but for some reason, Steve and Jenny always seem to end up sitting next to each other in Thanksgiving. You see, they broke up a couple of years ago and, how can I say this… they don’t like each other. Hack, they hate each other! But Jenny is a good friend of mine and Steve is my husband’s golf buddy and we always have them for Thanksgiving.

We didn’t really know what to do until my husband came up with this wonderful idea – why not use Place Card Holders and prearrange the sitting? We have more than 20 guests over each Thanksgiving and with Place Cards we can elegantly put Steve and Jenny on the far ends of the table, without it looking intentional.


This is your chance to make sure that the Kellers won’t sit next to the Shermans (because Keller’s tree leaves fall on Sheman’s lawn... don't ask...) But most important – with Place Card Holders you can place your mother-in-law as far from you as possible…

Visit www.ClassicHostess.com and choose from a vast variety of Place Card Holders in the shape of coffee pots, teapots, Christmas trees, drums, acorns, animals, antiques, bamboo, champagne styles and many more. Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Get ready for the holiday season with a lovely Christmas Tree ornament holder

Well? Are you planning your Christmas party already? Of course you are! And if you aren’t… you better start now. Oh my, there is so much stuff to prepare this upcoming holiday season and it's always a good opportunity to freshen up things around the house.

I made some early shopping, I just couldn’t resist you know, look at the great stuff available online. Actually I just wanted to get me a nice Christmas tree ornament holder, so I found this gorgeous item:

It’s a Gold Christmas Tree ornament holder that stands proudly with its fingers outstretched. This ornament holder truly embraces the holiday moments! When it arrived to our house earlier this week all my friends wanted to know where I got this attractive piece and I think the entire neighborhood ordered one as well…

And look, I also bought a charming Gracious Goods flatware set:

Hey, what can I say? The 20 Piece Burnished Bronze Flatware Set was on sale. It cost me only $233 - and the list price was $300! Can you really say no?

I'm gonna go and fix up my ornament tree now. I know there's time but I just can't help it. And you should really take a look at www.classichostess.com because you shouldn't miss the great deals!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Be ready for the thirsty guest with ceramic drink dispensers

No matter how you plan your party, you always have to be ready for the common thirsty guest. This party dweller can be found in family gatherings, wedding, Bar-Mitzvahs and weekend parties. The thirsty guest will gulp anything from ice-tea, lemonade, sangria, beer and any beverage available for consumption.

The best way to prepare for the thirsty guest is by having a Beverage Dispenser ready – the perfect entertaining accessory for any occasion and a beautiful and efficient way to serve large quantities of cold drinks.

This ceramic earthenware Rings White Ceramic Drink Dispenser will help you avoid sticky situations, with smooth flow and a metal display stand, this dispenser combines elegance and simplicity in one.


Here's another ceramic wonder of a dispenser. It is bell shaped thirst quencher with a sealed lid and you can use it to dispense your favorite recipe of sangria at a lavish event, or to display some cool lemonade on a hot sunny day.

All of these Ceramic Drink Dispensers and other unique tabletop accessories are available online at www.ClassicHostess.com

Monday, October 5, 2009

Wine Decanter. More than just elegance

Some people may think that wine decanters are only used because of their elegant and luxuries looks. But the truth is that there’s a long story behind wine decanting and lot’s of rules too.

The main reason for pouring wine from a bottle into a wine decanter is in order to oxygenate the wine and make it breathe before enjoying it.

When younger wine breathes, it changes, opening to more interesting aromas and flavors that are hidden in the wine. When older wine is decanted slowly, its sediment stays in the bottle and the wine imparts the strong, bitter flavor.

Many decanters are available in many different designs, one of them is the unique Crystal Duck Decanter:

This spectacular wine bottle, inspired by the shape of a duck, contributes a breathtaking elegance to a dinner table. Whichever way you display it, it will be the talk of your event!

For bigger crowds and extra large capacity, you might want to consider the Excaliber Large Decanter:

The Ravenscroft Crystal Excaliber Decanter has a broad base that allows the wine to aerate and release flavors and aromas which enhance the attributes of your wine. Its convenient extra large capacity will enable you to host large parties or events with the finest wines ever. Your guests will truly be inspired by its neat look it adds to the table.

All of these unique decanters and other unique tabletop accessories are available online at www.ClassicHostess.com

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Love my rooster canister set

I love my rooster canister set. I get a lot of compliments on it and everyone wants to know where I got it from. Of course I tell them on line at Classic Hostess.com. I am really satisfied. Shipping was fast and it arrived in tact.

Brenda

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Finally!!! Back in Stock


Limited Quantity Available!
Order Now!

Floor Candelabra

This Candelabra will add that special touch to any room. Easy assembling. Dimensions: 60x20x5 inches.