The Holiday Chic Suite, a lush pop-up space at the 900 Shops on Chicago's Michigan Avenue, is rife with ideas for D.I.Y. office gatherings or home entertaining this season. Overseen by Debi Lilly of A Perfect Event, the setup has a station for D.I.Y. gift-wrapping, a lounge area draped in furry throws, and a place for kids to stay busy with festive activities. Here are nine ideas for holiday events.
The plush lounge area is filled with couches draped in fluffy, furry white blankets. A prop fireplace adorned with stockings anchors the space, and gauzy white drapes form a wintry perimeter.
Photo: Maypole Studios Photography
At the D.I.Y. gift-wrapping station, customers can use a combination of feathers and thick ribbons to create a "glam" look.
Photo: Maypole Studios Photography
Also in the lounge area, silver trays hold Moroccan tea glasses and winter-white owls as props.
Photo: Maypole Studios Photography
The same winter-white animal motif pops up in place settings. Tables also include gold-rimmed champagne glasses, vintage china, and mercury-glass candle holders (a Debi Lilly signature). BBJ Linen and Tablescapes provided rentals.
Photo: Maypole Studios Photography
Some place cards are tacked onto green apples with bejeweled pins.
Photo: Maypole Studios Photography
Centerpieces comprise white roses and greenery in apothecary jars.
Photo: Maypole Studios Photography
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
Pure Kitchen Catering prepared champagne-cranberry spritzers and rosemary-infused sparkling water. A white tray of cranberries and rosemary spruced up the drink station—and provided a subtle, holiday-friendly fragrance.
Photo: Maypole Studios Photography
A kids' corner provides a spot for tots to color with Christmas-tree-shaped crayons from the 900 Shops.
Photo: Maypole Studios Photography
