
Today’s inspiring – and timely! – Real Party feature comes from the ultra-creative Chris Nease of Celebrations at Home. As always, Chris does a fabulous job with this party and shows how inexpensive elements like ribbon, gift wrap, and glass ball ornaments really can go a long way in creating a wonderfully festive atmosphere!
When it comes to stretching the budget for parties, presentation is also key, as well as maximizing the elements you already own – such as versatile white serving dishes, glass vases, home accessories, and decor from parties past – as demonstrated here.

Read on for all the creative & inspiring details, as told by Chris…

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“I hosted a Cocktail Party for 40 recently and really had to work the budget. I chose to use my IKEA frame for a focal point above the punch and desserts, and found a package of ornament wall stickers at Marshalls for $6 to display in the frame. Thin ribbon was attached to create the “hangers”.

I used different styles of ribbon to add interest to a white table cloth, coordinating gift wrap to line the trays (and decorate the bottom of the candlesticks), and made pretty labels for the desserts.
To help carry out the ornament theme, I also used a few oversize ball ornaments on top of candlesticks, and put some flowers inside the larger one.

Ornament chipboard stickers were used to create drink stir sticks. I just attached a thin piece of ribbon to a lollipop stick to let the ornament hang off the glass.

More pretty labels were made using a printable template from No Fuss Fabulous. Tiny gem stickers were used to top off the letter “i” in the words Mimosa, Bellini, & Poinsettia.

The buffet table was set with white platters atop glass vases filled with decorative “snow” and red ball ornaments. Red & white flower arrangements, white candles, and a Manzanita “Tree” (which I had from a previous party) completed the look.

To dress up the Champagne Bar, I filled a glass cylinder with more “snow” and ball ornaments, then topped it with feathers.

This party was put together using things I already had. Just goes to show how versatile glass vases, ribbon, stickers, frames, and paper can be!”

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Thanks for the inspiration, Chris!


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28Comments
So cute! Love the cocktail tags and floral!
VERY cute! Love the variety of patterns and shapes. Merry Christmas!
Very, very nice! I’m going to try to duplicate this for our upcoming holiday festivities! Thanks.
Stunning, and so creative without being totally unachievable in a home setting and on a home budget!
Oh so very nice! I love all the cute details that make this celebration grand! love it!
I love it – fabulous job Chris!!! I love the food table and the little bling accents. I have those exact stockings!!!
Absolutely adorable! I especially love the use of the feathers…I’m a feather fanatic! Thanks for sharing these lovely photos!
What an exciting day for me Jenn! Thanks so much!
So festive! Beautiful and yet not over the top. Love the little embellishments. So thoughtful.
Yaaaaaaaaaay, Chris and HWTM in one place. It’s like Christmas came early!
You know I loves this.
– Ames
This is so original! Love it!
this will look very nice for jan 1st football watching day. no decorations, just the food. don’t forget the scotch!
This is fabulous, love the frame, and that Manzanita centerpiece is fabulous. Great Job Chris!
I love the platters set atop the vases with the ornaments in them. I was just dreaming up decor for a New Years party and I think this would work Great!
So beautiful and fun (and affordable)! I love that you used the typical Christmas colors without making it look too typical and cheesy at all! Very nice!
Please tell me, where the heck did you get those awesome high heel stocking? My mom has one that she had from when she was a teenager, and I would love to have one for my own stocking! :)