

Downsize a favorite holiday dish into a bite-size hors d’oeuvre. Brett Galley, director of special events at Connecticut-based event planning company Hollywood Pop Gallery, suggests pork tenderloin with bacon and caramelized onion marmalade on a crostini.

Backal recommends functional, mismatched seating, like love seats, couches, and tufted benches, to create an inviting and cozy feel. The Kidwell Sofa, $395, in a black-and-white damask print from Designer8 Event Furniture Rental in California offers a comfy spot to chat.

For an elegant, modern take on a traditional holiday theme, Galley suggests rustic table decor with earthy tones and nature-inspired accents, accented with a variety of red roses and greenery.

Tierney decorated a bar with classic nutcrackers for the party last December.

The cherry-wood Drake bar, $475, from Taylor Creative adds a touch of old-fashioned flair to holiday events.

Serve cheery cocktails in bright red colors with sparkly sugar rims and plump berries like the ones from Chuck’s: A Kerry Simon Kitchen at the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago.

A cookie-decorating station turns adults into kids, says New York event designer David Stark. He recommends providing guests with blank ginger or sugar cookies in various shapes, along with a bar of edible decorating items.

At the Hallmark dinner, traditional Victorian carolers at the front door greeted guests.

Send guests home with an edible gift, like Harry & David’s Tower of Treats, $39.95, which is filled with Royal Riviera pears and a selection of mixed nuts, shortbread cookies, and citrus candies.


Walking, talking snowflake tables greeted visitors at the Greenwich Holiday Stroll Weekend headquarters, which was sponsored by Hollywood Pop Gallery.

San Francisco-based Blueprint Studios planned a corporate holiday party in Menlo Park, California, last December that took inspiration from popular stories, such as Snow White and The Polar Express.

Serve guest icy cocktails from behind the six-foot Diamond Mirror Bar, $595, from Designer8 Event Furniture Rental.Â

An embellished croquembouche served as an eye-catching display at the Hallmark Channel event.

Square holiday invites from Allie Munroe are silk-screen printed on mirrored acrylic in white ink for a frosty touch. Pricing is available upon request.

Ornaments added glitz to the decor at a Hollywood Pop Gallery-produced event.

The Kane Chair, $179, from Designer8 Event Furniture Rental offers an elegant seating option in wintry white leather.

In January, Vertigo Sky Lounge in Chicago held an opening-night party with a fire and ice theme that used playful chalkboard signage.