Deck the Halls // Festive Ideas for Entertaining

Branching Out Floral + Event Design. Photo credit: John Cain Photography

Once you learn the basics of setting the table (Haven't done that yet? See our POSH 101 series on setting the table for the holidays), the best part of entertaining becomes breaking all the rules. Start your own traditions - set out the fine china, use every heirloom piece your family has to offer, or, go super modern and rent entire place settings, linens, and chairs. Stack china high with the layered look we love so much, or simply change up the patterns with each place setting with vintage pieces and assorted stemware. During the holidays, personal traditions really do trump any rules you've learned, so get festive and just go for it. Guests will appreciate a nostalgic setting with a whimsical approach to making merry, especially with a truly luxe take on your tabletop. POSH PICK: An Exotic Bird by Charles Sadek china pattern or Mahogany Rose by Noritake with traditional damasks in holiday hues.

Rattan Chargers, Elise Cut Crystal Stemware, Exotic Bird, Sevres, Barcelona Gold China Collections from POSH. Branching Out floral arrangements. Photo credit: John Cain Photography

Our favorite tablescapes incorporate natural elements that reflect seasonal landscapes, like the pine cones above. Branching Out designed a beautiful tabletop with floral arrangements fit for a wintery scene. They are a simple yet ingenious way to add a personal touch for the seating guests. POSH PICK: If you don't have a natural element to use, create caligraphy place cards tied to faux fur napkin rings or around bundled Floral Elegance Stemware for a more relaxed take on your place setting. 
 

Image: Source Unknown

Set the mood for the evening with a subtle and gracious glow. Lighting should be soft and reflective, not harsh or direct. We love a mixtures of votive candles and dimmed chandeliers. POSH PICK: Jan Barboglio Copper Candle Holder and Mercury and Silver Vintage Candelabras make for impressive lighting. 
 

Call it the Great Gatsby effect, but Art Deco is back and we're not complaining. There is something terribly romantic and fresh about going back to old school cordials and crystal coups for serving drinks, especially into the New Year celebrations. Mix and match for a unique and authentic style for toasting friends and family. POSH PICK: Our vintage collection has an impressive range of crystal and glass goblets, coups, and cordials for every style of service. 
 

Presentation // Time to Shine

Champagne Coups get the Fall treatment with fresh apple cider and stacked champagne towers.

It's time to toast our favorite time of year, and there is only one thing to remember - PRESENTATION IS EVERYTHING. 

We asked Jami and Laurel to give us insight into the top tabletop trends for the upcoming season, and one thing continues to catch everyone's eye - bright and shiny additions like crystal and cut glass. Bring in luxe details that stand out, like bubble bars with coups rather than flutes and stacked champagne towers to really set a celebratory scene. Laurel loves Fall ciders, which we see making an appearance in October with our champagne coups.

For tabletop, go with Jami's favorite look - a mix of bone and ceramic china with crystal pieces. You will instantly upgrade the most simple place setting to a plush tabletop in no time. For parties pass drinks in a combination of vintage crystal coups, cordials, flutes, and goblets for a Gatsbyesque feel that is making a huge mark this Fall. If all else fails, pick a piece of crystal to show off, and toast the season in style.
 

An array of POSH Vintage crystal champagne flutes, cordials, and compotes for toasting the season.

Entertain: National Ice Cream Day

Good news: Today you can indulge in your favorite cold treat without the guilt. Why? July is National Ice Cream Month and today just so happens to be National Ice Cream Day. While it may be hard to choose which flavor to try, it shouldn't be too hard to pick your favorite POSH amuse-bouche or bowl. 

Take your pick: (Clockwise from top left) Simple and sweet with out Catering Collection / Silver Compotes give perfect presentation for ice cream or additional sweets, like these goodies from Cassandra's Fine Catering (Andrea Polito Photography) / Serve it in style with our Barcelona Gold China and Lily Server. Perfect for a sweet sorbet! (Edmonson Photography).

Perfect for after-dinner sweets. Top: Vintage Glass Compotes. Bottom: Trumpet Compotes in blue.

Want to make your own ice cream? Try this great recipe for Peach and Toasted Pecan Ice Cream from Southern Living. Yum!

Ingredients:

3/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/8 teaspoon table salt

2 cups milk

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 egg yolk

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste*

1 cup peeled and coarsely chopped peaches

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

1 1/2 tablespoons butter

1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Prep:

1. Whisk together first 3 ingredients in a large heavy saucepan. Gradually whisk in milk and whipping cream. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. 10-12 minutes or until mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat.

2. Whisk egg yolk until slightly thickened. Gradually whisk about 1 cup hot cream mixture into yolk. Add yolk mixture to remaining cream mixture, whisking constantly. Whisk in vanilla bean paste. Cool 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

3. Meanwhile, cook peaches and corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often. 4 to 5 minutes. Coarsely mash, and let cool 30 minutes. Stir peach mixture into cooled cream mixture.

4. Place plastic wrap directly on cream mixture and chill 8 to 24 hours.

5. Meanwhile, melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat; add pecans, and cook, stirring constantly, 8 to 9 minutes or until toasted and fragrant. Remove from heat and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Cool completely (about 30 minutes).

6. Pour chilled cream mixture into freezer container of a  1 1/2qt. electric ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions (times may vary). Before transferring ice cream to an airtight container for further freezing, stir in pecan mixture.

*vanilla extract may be substituted.