Being home for the holidays is more meaningful than ever. Whether you are the host, or a special guest, the gatherings we share with family and friends can create some of life’s most treasured memories. In honor of the occasion, we’ve created a guide to tasteful entertaining with decorative ideas and serving suggestions that we hope will make your season more simple, joyous, and delicious.

Create a fresh look when setting your table by using a palette of one or two colors.This helps create a more restful setting allowing the focus on the amazing meal that you’ve just prepared! Also, keep floral arrangements low to allow for intimate conversation. Holiday ribbon makes a charming and inexpensive napkin ring.

Everyone loves party favors and we’ve got a few ideas that are sure to leave your guests with smiles and a host of happy memories.

Kids can join in by decorating these angels created from a 9" plain white paper plate. Click here for the angel template. Trace the template onto a plate and cut out with a utility knife. The two cuts for the wings are different, one on the inside out and the other from outside in. With the angel facing you, shape her skirt into a circle sliding the outside cut over the inside one to make the wings. Embellish with hole punch or sequins. Cut a small piece for the name card, curling around a pencil to make it look like a scroll.

Create these cute little trees made from miniature ornament balls as a fun take away. We chose variations of green as our theme, but you could use one color. Put together using a glue gun starting with a base of 6-7 balls, reducing the number of balls as you graduate up. The mirrored base and bow give it a polished touch.

This naturally pretty centerpiece is created by simply cutting oranges in half, removing flesh, place a tea light inside, and finish with a decorative hole created with the help of a fluted biscuit cutter. Arrange with figs or limes and fresh cut berry branches. Simple, yet amazingly aromatic.

Accent any table with this unique creation for a perfectly fresh and unexpected arrangement. Push toothpicks halfway into a pineapple, applying grapes to the other end. You can use either red or green grapes.Tie a bow at the top, place on some magnolia leaves clipped from your yard or from your local floral shop. And as a finishing touch, encircle with nectarines, pomegranates, limes or any of your favorite fruits that are available.

Mistletoe Punch

(serves 30 punch cups)

• 1 6 oz. can frozen lemonade, thawed
• 1 6 oz. can frozen orange juice, thawed
• 6 cups water ½ cup grenadine syrup
• 1 quart ginger ale, chilled
• wafer-thin lemon slices
• maraschino cherries

Combine lemonade, orange juice, water and grenadine in a punch bowl. Just before serving add sliced fruit and ginger ale, and gently stir.

Click for other punch recipes