
At Morgan Manufacturing's party in Chicago in December 2014, Event Creative designer Leslie Zaksas used fresh greens to decorate the venue's chandeliers for a festive feel and smell.
Photo: Eric Rademacher

The seasonal greenery also appeared as table decor, along with lanterns and goblet-style votive candlesticks, complementing the rustic vibe of the dining space.
Photo: Eric Rademacher

Tree stumps served as vases for white amaryllis flowers as well as candleholders and added a contrasting element to the glittery sequin linens at the corporate gathering.
Photo: Elizabeth Bruneau
2013 Holiday Party Trends: The Lavish Dessert Table Is Out

“Before the recession, parties would have extravagant dessert stations, but now some companies are economizing by offering guests a boxed dessert and to-go coffee in branded cups at the end of the night,” Accomando says. “It does double-duty as a favor and gives guests the chance to reminisce about the event when they’re eating the treat later at home.” Takeaway desserts can also be creatively worked into tablescapes as a design element to liven up tables and save on the decor budget. So what will companies be boxing up when it comes to desserts? Cupcakes are decidedly over. Instead, expect to see whoopie pies, macarons, gourmet marshmallows, doughnuts, pie slices, or berry crumbles in portable containers. Pictured: The Sweet Escape Patisserie can package up its snowmen macarons for events in the greater Toronto area.
Photo: Courtesy of The Sweet Escape Patisserie
Food: Classic Holiday Dishes as Bite-Size Hors d'Oeuvres

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.
Photo: Courtesy of Hollywood Pop Gallery
Decor: Classic Nutcrackers

Tierney decorated a bar with classic nutcrackers for the party last December.
Photo: Amanda Gentile
Drinks: Cheery Cocktails in Bright Colors

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.
Photo: Courtesy of Hard Rock Chicago

At the suite's opening-night event, Pure Kitchen Catering provided catering and Toni Patisserie and Cafe brought in seasonal treats. Linzer Torts were served on trays decked with the sheet music for Christmas carols.
Photo: Maypole Studios Photography

An easy D.I.Y. centerpiece: Fill a Mason jar with water, greenery, cranberries, and a floating candle.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash

Wolfgang Puck Catering recommends a hot chocolate station, where guests can add items including flavored marshmallows, cherries, malted barley, chocolate shavings, and whipped cream.
Photo: Courtesy of Wolfgang Puck Catering

Festive drink stirrers from HeathOriginal are a cute addition to cocktail glasses. The cost is $15 for 12.
Photo: Barbie Hull Photography

At the How I Met Your Mother holiday party in Los Angeles at Fox Studios in December 2013, the show's cast and crew ate and played at a gingerbread-decorating station set up by Marina del Ray-based Schaffer's Genuine Foods.
Photo: Courtesy of Schaffer's Genuine Foods
Waitstaff: Costumed Servers

At a holiday party produced by New York's Great Performances last December, costumed waitstaff served truffle mac ‘n’ cheese in mugs.
Photo: Amanda Gentile

Centerpieces of white carnations designed by Feats Inc. evoked fluffy snowballs.
Photo: Edwin Remsberg