Setting the tone First and foremost, figure out what kind of event you want and then build from there. Are you more of a traditionalist, for whom a party isn’t a party without grandma’s Buche de Noel and a tree smothered in red and green tinsel, or are you open to fresh ideas? Either way is fine, but South Bay holiday celebrations are increasingly crossing cultural lines and offering entertainment not usually associated with traditional gatherings. “We’re seeing more holiday Winter Wonderland types of themes, with blue and white color schemes,” says Crystal Lequang, founder of Amazáe Special Events in San Jose. “There are holiday trees, but they look more like the evergreens you’d see outside, with natural decorations.” Thus the emphasis, she adds, isn’t on the standard Christmas theme, as hosts are becoming more sensitive to their guests’ diverse ethnic backgrounds. Decorations set the tone for your party, and first impressions are important—inside and out. “A lot of people neglect the entryway and the whole presentation of the property,” says Laurie Keit of Belmont Jeffrey Stout 66 South Bay Accent based Seasonal Celebrations, which specializes in floral and landscape design for special events. That holiday magic should begin the moment people pull up to your home. Try lining the walkway to your front door with an assortment of miniature Christmas trees, or surround pre-existing torch pots with natural decorations. Add a canopy of pine bows for your guests to walk under. But you don’t need to break the budget. “Many people this season are opting toward more natural designs, using cuttings from their own gardens or yards,” says Keit. “People want to save money, but at the same time, they’re trying to reconnect with the Earth. I’m getting lots of requests for garlands, and loose arrangements that look very natural—things with ferns, eucalyptus and other types of greenery.” Keit offers clever space saving and wallet friendly advice for rethinking the traditional Christmas backdrops. Instead of a traditional Christmas tree, try creating one just with lights. Start in a corner and zigzag lights back and forth to create the shape of the tree. For added pizzazz, place gifts in the corner beneath the lights. If you are using a large table for the party, Keit suggests creating a living table runner. Fill a 4-foot long, 4-inch high green glass container with holiday-type plantings and small candles lining each side. Ornaments and other knickknacks that fit your party’s vibe also make good fillers. Sometimes opportunity for one-ofa kind decorations lurk where you least expect them. Houses with tall ceilings offer plenty of overhead open space just begging for attention. Consider hanging designs, especially over tabletops, including decorated chandeliers, hanging terrariums or greenery displays with lightweight ornaments. For a sure conversation piece try hanging a Christmas tree upside down or using the design as a centerpiece so that it looks like a holiday cyclone emerging from the tabletop. Just make sure you go with artificial trees since you don’t want water and needles raining down on your guests. Particularly well suited to the go-go attitude of Silicon Valley is having a party entertainment area. Lequang has found that photo booths are becoming increasingly popular, but while the traditional contraption, where a bunch of folks cram in to capture the moment, is always fun, why not build on the seasonal spirit? Set Jeffery Stout “We’re seeing an abundance of farmers markets in virtually every city, we’re seeing a return to cooking, getting away from manufactured products, and we have more slow cooking processes coming back,” says Jeffrey Stout. “It’s really a lifestyle change.” Charred Nardello Peppers with Smoked Ham and Heirloom Tomatoes SHUTTERSTOCK; LEFT: COURTESY OF ORCHARD CITY KITCHEN
South Bay Accent - Dec 2015/Jan 2016
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