Holiday Hostess Party Tips + Kirklands Giveaway!
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Now that the Thanksgiving dishes have been cleared it’s time to pull out the Christmas decorations that I’ve been waiting a year to see again. And thanks to the thrift store score of the century (that 6 foot long lacquer buffet!) I now have space on which to place all kinds of fun holiday items for the upcoming get-togethers and festive dinners that fill December’s calendar.
It was begging for some holiday cheer, and thankfully Kirklands sent over three fantastic items for me to use in a Holiday Hostess challenge (along with a few of my fellow blogging buds, as you’ll soon see.) I’ve been flipping out over the first item– a set of three HUGE mason jar canisters— and just CAN NOT wait to share with you how I used them! Are you ready to see?
BAM! Aren’t they gorgeous?
These HUGE heavy mason jars are great for storage, so after the holidays I’ll either use them in my kitchen or to store craft supplies like twine and washi tape. But they were begging to be illuminated so I placed some cool LED fairy lights inside each jar. I taped the top of the light string to the lid with washi tape, carefully dropped the battery box to the bottom of the jar, and covered it with burlap. I also added in a mini mirrored garland I’ve had for years but that’s totally optional.
Let there be light.
These jars bring such illumination and light into our dining room that we’ve been dining with them on for days. The kids think they look like fireflies, so this idea could easily carry into summer as well.
Next up was the ivory ceramic chip and dip bowl. It’s actually very pretty alone…
… but filled with food it’s magical.
Isn’t that such a beautiful dip set? So versatile. When not in use, it would look gorgeous filled with seasonal items like pinecones or even plants.
The third item is perfection– a galvanized beverage dispenser. I even matches the mason jar lights, and it works beautifully.
Keeping it on the tray keeps spills from getting on your linens.
It’s filled with a punch I like to call ‘Santa’s Little Helper’. Recipe coming soon. 😉
A few other holiday entertaining tips:
- Use a cable knit blanket as the backdrop for your holiday decor. It screams warm and cozy (like this, in my best Oprah voice: “WARM AND COZZZZZZYYYYY!”)
- Since I have little kids around (and am generally super clumsy), I use battery operated flameless candles in my decor. No mess and they’re worry free.
- A simple greenery garland looks gorgeous and makes a great backdrop for your party food.
- As per my norm, I kept the color palette neutral (white, gold, silver) and had a pop of color with a fuschia tray (and red punch!)
- A few glittered pinecones go a long way.
- Varying the heights of your decor and accessories makes the spread look even more enticing. Topiaries and tall candlesticks achieve this look, and placing some of the party food on cake stands or towers to also varies the height.
I’m ready for holiday guests to arrive! But hey, I wouldn’t wave a bunch of cool products in front of you and not give you a chance to WIN some of your own. Enter for your chance to win one of TWO $100 Kirklands gift cards! If you’re a fan of Kirklands, you’ll also want to join their Kirklands Rewards Program- K Club. Enter the giveaway below:
Join us on December 2nd at 8PM EST for a Twitter chat where we’ll be giving away several gift cards as prizes. Simply follow the #holidayhostess hashtag. It’s gonna be fun, here’s who’s co-hosting it with me (these links lead to their holiday hostess ideas, too!):
Did you like any of these holiday decor ideas? Pin them so you don’t forget!
Hope you enjoyed these holiday decor ideas and tips for festive and easy holiday decorating. Hope to “see” you tonight at the Twitter party and be sure to enter the giveaway, too!
Disclosure: I received product compensation for the “Holiday Hostess” campaign blog post. Kirkland’s partnered with several bloggers like me to raise brand awareness and share holiday decor ideas. All purchases and content are on my own accord and reflect my personal opinion and style. Kirkland’s blogger outreach policies abide by the WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations. For official Kirkland’s giveaway rules, visit http://www.kirklands.com/content.jsp?pageName=blogger_rules-03.
Fairy Light Jars is linking up with:
{ Remodelaholic | Liz Marie Blog |Serenity Now | Made in a Day | The Party Bunch |Work it Wednesday | Catch as Catch Can | Songbird | Fabulously Frugal Thursday}
The fairy light jars! OMG! Such a festive, happy idea. I love all your tips. Can’t wait for our little twitter chat tonight! 🙂
Cable knit blanket BRILLIANCE!!!
I love the chalkboard canisters with the red lids!
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
I had never heard of Kirklands.com – thanks for the introduction! Lots of fun stuff. My favorite product is the Beverage Dispenser set with the stand. Cute and useful!
I think I’ve been captivated by those fairy lights. SO many uses for them!
Lovely decorations. Don’t mind if I have some punch….
Was just drooling over the “fairy lights,” on the front of the restoration hardware catalog!! Didn’t know I could get them at Amazon!! Woo hoo!!
That’s exactly where I got the idea!!! But did buy them at Restoration simply because I couldn’t resist. 😉
I’ve seen them at Walmart too. Don’t know if they are cheaper than RH, but they were about $7.00 at Walmart.
GET OUT! That’s awesome, I’m going to head to Walmart. The RH ones definitely weren’t $7 (more like double that). 😉 Thanks for the tip!
I like Cheval Jewelry Armoire Mirror
I love the tips!
I love the Luisa Gray Bonded Leather Storage Bench for my bedroom.
I love this wall decor
http://www.kirklands.com/product/Wall-Decor/Art/Canvas-Art/Twining-Colors-Canvas-Art-Print/pc/2283/c/2293/sc/2673/170422.uts
#OBSESSED with your fairy lights idea!!! I love that drink dispenser. I have been looking for the perfect one for ever now!
Love the holiday theme and the fairy lights!
Love the chalboard canisters
I love the Sydney medallion indoor/outdoor rug.
I am loving the Normandy Black Bonded Leather Convertible Sofa!
Lovely idea. I’ve always loved the magical feeling of small white lights. Gives it a romantic feel to it as well.
I like the gray luxury plush throw blanket.
I love the 9ft christmas tree with lights
I hate that I missed the chat tonight. Hope it was a good one. So excited about all your tips. Love the fairy light jars! Think I will make them for myself for my birthday today! My 2 year old granddaugter will love them! Thank you so much for sharing!
I love the ivory ceramic chip and dip bowl.
I am pining for the galvanized beverage container!
http://www.kirklands.com/product/Rugs-Windows/Rugs-Windows-NEW/Empire-Chocolate-Curtain-Panel-Set/productVariantId/164606/pc/2288/c/2724/174378.uts
Love these curtains! So pretty and yet sophisticated!
I love the picture of the cranberry drink pouring out…..talented photographer!!! 😉
Your decoration look beautiful and festive!!
Love this and love those mason jars!!! This is a must for us this season!
Visited the site and I really like the Linen Callie Area Rug
i would LOVE LOVE a gift card from kirklands! redoing living room ===it would be perfect! 🙂 your display is beautiful!
i like the beverage dispenser!
I love you as much as bacon wall plaque. My brother would love this!
I like the Beckett side table.
Favorite product has to be the, Mercury Orbs Table Lamp!!!!!
i love all of their pillow varieties!
*kelly
kelly-tillotson@hotmail.com
http://www.kirklands.com/product/New-Arrivals/Wall-Decor-NEW/Red-Metallic-Leaves-Canvas-Art-Print/pc/2384/c/2717/169541.uts
I love this!
I love their Christmas pillows!! Actually, there’s not much I don’t like at Kirklands! Thanks for the great giveaway!!
Hi. I love your ideas. We just bought a new home and you’ve given me great ideas for my Christmas party. I just desperately want your drink recipe. How can I get it?
Julie, I’ll try to post it ASAP! I’ve been super busy but hope to post it early next week. Thanks for asking!
Love the mason jars with the lights! What a great idea and if you have mason jars already around the house left over from canning, you could use different sizes. Battery operated LED lights are the best, we found some in blue and red!
How do you turn the fairy lights off in the jar if they battery compartment is in the bottom of the jar covered in burlap?
I just reach in and push aside the burlap and push the button. It’s really easy, the burlap isn’t attached so you can simply move it aside. The battery box of this particular set of fairy lights has a push button and it’s a snap to turn them on and off, and it also has a built in timer so that you can program them to turn on and off whenever you wish.
Love these ideas.Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad I found your blog. I love Kirkland’s and your blog!
I love love love the fairy lights…they look so magical….Kirklands?…..there isn’t much they offer that I don’t want…lol….there are some throw pillows I’ve had my eye on for a while..
I love the entire display!!! Favorite? Maybe the mason jars!
The entire buffet is so lovely…..I’m off to buy the components for the fairy jars today!!
So many wonderful things at Kirklands that I drool over …but one thing I’ve had in mind is the set of 2 beverage dispensers with stand! Thanks for the chance to win!
Love, love, love the lights. I am going to order.
I love the 9 foot Christmas tree! Gorgeous!!!
Passed some of these lights today — knew I should have bought them! I will now. Beautiful!
Where did you see them? Rumor has it they are at Walmart but I haven’t seen them there– yet! 😉
Hobby Lobby had battery operated lights on an end cap, but now I think they may not have been LED. I have some from Amazon that I wore around myself Halloween night so that my kids could spot me on the sidewalk as they were running from one house to the next.
love the light.s…thk.s for the show and tell…love gift card from kirkland.s
I love the idea of the fireflies in a mason jar. We moved from NJ to NM 22 years ago and that’s the last time I saw fireflies- with your idea I can see them whenever I wish. Thanks.
Where can you get the jars?
Hi Patty, I got them at Kirklands. The link is in the post. Thanks!
Where did you get the mason jars and what sizes are they?
I got them at Kirklands last year, not sure of the size but they’re pretty big!
I really feel like I need to rush out and buy lots of fairy lights…I’m in love!!! And as far as Kirklands goes, I have a few Christmas decorations that I’ve bought there throughout the years, but I’d love to have every kitchen item they sell. I don’t want much!! ; )
I love the Ivory Peacock Statue!
Love all the ideas presented. The fairy lights in jars would be perfect on so many occasions. The layout is beautiful and the dip and chip and the beverage dispenser are both always a must.
I love the glass and metal soap pumps!
I like the red trinity cabinet
nannypanpan@gmail.com
Love your ideas – especially the Fairy Lights! And these burlap flower napkins rings are so adorable: http://www.kirklands.com/product/Kitchen-Dining/Serving-Entertaining/Burlap-Flower-Napkin-Ring/pc/2753/c/2735/169523.uts
I love the Fairy lights in jars! I also like your 31 days of decorating ideas. Thanks! I enjoy your humor as well.
I’m so glad you liked both, Sunny, and I appreciate your kind words!
I would love to know where you bought your LED fairy lights. I bought the jars at Kirkland, can’t wait to get the fairy lights. I love the way you decorated your table. I have shown your table to so many people!
Hi Becky! Thank you SO much for sharing the table with your friends, that means the world to me! There’s a link to the fairy lights on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1eTZVUR
I’ve heard you can find them at Walmart and Hobby Lobby but haven’t personally seen them there yet. You’re going to LOVE the jars. After the holidays they make great storage for food, craft supplies, or just about anything!
Love the fairy lights in the jar! It’s so pretty! Can’t wait for that punch recipe! 😉
I love the Patchwork Bird II Framed Art Print!
I like the Bronze Metal Gift Train
I love all the photos. I will be checking back here often.
Is this ONE
string of lights in the 3 jars, or a single strand for EACH jar?
Single strand of fairy lights in each jar.
I love the holiday lighting ideas here!
The fairy light jars are gorgeous! Plus I love the fact that they’re neutral enough to use all through the year! Glad I hopped over from Serenity Now!
Awesome jars! I have a few of those I should put on top of my kitchen cabinets.
Thanks for sharing at Fabulously Frugal Thursday!
Hi Carrie!! I missed the giveaway, but saw your fairy lights on the Country Living FB page — LOVE them!! The perfect glow without all the plugs and cords! Happy Thanksgiving!
xo Heidi
Thanks so much Heidi! We’re loving them too, adds some brightness to these dark winter nights! 🙂
Did I miss something? Do I have to take my jar all apart each time to turn the battery pack on and off ?? I love this Idea but don”t think I want to do that. Could I some how attach it to the lid.
Hi Bessie, I do open the jars to turn on the lights, but some fairy light sets come with timers that eliminate that. It only takes about 10 seconds to turn on all the jars. 🙂
How long do the fairy lights batteries last? I would hate to disturb the jar every few hours. I love the idea!!
They last quite awhile, and most fairy lights nowadays have a timer so they turn off after 6 hours or so and repeat the cycle every 24 hours.
I bought a ton of fairy lights to use in our centerpieces for our fire company installation dinner. They do not have a timer, but are supposed to last 24 hours. They were on for 7-8 hours and stayed brilliant. They really did a nice job on our tables. I think I would like to get some on timers for jars here at home.