Design Dispatch | Organizing for Effortless Entertaining & Transitioning to the New Year

Before the season gets into full swing, a little organization goes a long way.

Start by gathering all of your entertaining essentials — serving pieces, linens, and glassware — and give them a quick clean or polish.

Pro Tip: I’ve stopped pressing napkins or tablecloths altogether; instead, I pull them from the dryer while they’re still slightly damp. Napkins are easy to hand-press and fold at that stage, and tablecloths come out nearly wrinkle-free if you place them directly on the table while just shy of dry.

In my own home, I keep an open-shelf cabinet in the breakfast room where I stage all the dishware I plan to use — including flatware tucked into a basket — so it’s all within easy reach when setting the table. You can do the same by designating a cabinet or sideboard for your entertaining pieces to keep things effortless when guests arrive.

If you’re hosting multiple gatherings, start making grocery or catering lists early. Having a few go-to meal options or pre-ordered dishes ensures you’ll enjoy the celebration as much as your guests — and not be stuck in the kitchen when the fun begins.

Traveling instead of entertaining this year? Many of my clients find it helpful to get their homes and calendars organized before leaving for the holidays. Consider a quick purge and tidy-up to return to a space that feels fresh and ready to start the new year — no post-trip overwhelm, just an easy transition back into daily life.

Bonus: Simplify your gift giving!

Take the stress out of gift-giving by organizing your lists digitally. They are great for both general family & friends and secret santas. In previous years, we've had great experiences using:

• ​Elfster: Perfect for Secret Santa exchanges and sharing wishlists.
• ​Amazon Wishlist: Last year, everyone created and shared their wishlists here.

I'm also planning to try out Giftster this year. Do you have one you love? Hit reply and share!

In the Mix | Local Artisans We Love

This season, I'm highlighting two favorite local makers who bring texture, color, and artistry into our spaces:

Terry Baxter, an abstract artist out of Nevada City, whose dynamic work adds incredible depth and energy to a room:@tbaxter4873 For those who’ve asked about the oversized piece above our fireplace — he is the talent behind that piece. We also recently placed a beautiful smaller-scale piece of his in a client’s master bedroom, it finished off the room perfectly.

Nicholson Van Altena Glass, known for their exquisite hand-blown ornaments and glasswork. nicholsonvanaltenaglass.com
​About ten years ago, we picked up a collection of their glass ornaments on a whim — and they’ve become part of our holiday tradition ever since. From a tree to a window display and even a chandelier, their pieces have added sparkle and sentiment to our holiday decor year after year.

Off the Clock | The Christmas PJ Tradition

Believe it or not — if your family loves matching Christmas pajamas, now’s the time to start the hunt! Coordinating sets tend to sell out fast, especially when you need a mix of sizes. (Some years I’ve made things harder on myself by trying to find something more unique than the usual sets — but that’s half the fun, right?!) I'm eyeing these pajamas here and also loving these for my granddaughter Miriam 💕 And these come with a bigger pricetag, but are some of the cutest I've seen.

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We started this tradition when my now 32-year-old was about five, as an easy way for my grandmother to gift to all the grandkids as she was getting older and finding it difficult to shop. As a group, the cousins would open their pajamas from Nana on Christmas Eve — jokingly hypothesizing what the gift might be.

On Boxing Day, all twelve kids would go traipsing through the mall, wearing their PJs and mixing with all the after Christmas shoppers, for a “professional” photo at The Picture People. Candy canes served as anti-crying bribes for the littles, and a post-photo treat became a reward for good behavior. It’s since turned into a three-generation ritual that my mom and I still love shopping for every year.
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In the early days, we sourced many from Children’s Place — they still exist, though mostly online now after merging with Gymboree. The styles may have changed, but the tradition (and the fun that comes with it) is one the now-grown kids still reminisce about fondly.

🤍

Lisa

“Styles come and go. Good design is a language, not a style.” — Massimo Vignelli

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