Create a tablescape to remember

(ARA) – Holiday traditions may vary from home to home, but one of the most cherished sites each year is universal. The holiday tablescape: the place where all the luscious treats of the season await all the special people in your lives.

Close your eyes for a moment and remember walking into the dining room where the table is overflowing with memories of holidays past. Remember the sights and the aromas. The red, green and cream linens handed down through generations are pulled out to form the foundation of the holiday table. The special china, crystal and platters that rarely leave the cabinet – except around the holiday season – are front and center.

And in the center of the table – with all eyes upon it – the main event; the star of the show. Will it be Chateaubriand? Prime rib? Hickory spiral sliced ham?

Now open your eyes – it’s time to plan your own holiday feast. So roll up your sleeves, open your browser, bring out the family treasures and let the magic begin. Start with the star attraction: the flavorful foundation of your holiday spread.

“Our customers ask us all the time for ideas to make their holiday meals special,” says Edward Scavuzzo, president of Kansas City Steak Company. “Year after year, they keep coming back to the tastes that bring back memories of holidays past. Once they’ve selected the meat that will be the star of the meal, the big decision is out of the way and there are lots of options to round out the perfect holiday meal.”

While there are all kinds of lists of best holiday menus, these stars are sure to be at the top of the list for your 2011/2012 centerpiece meats:

* A hickory smoked spiral sliced ham from the Missouri Ozarks, brown sugar-cured and slow-smoked over hickory. From the moment the smells waft from the kitchen until the last bite is gone, it’s always a crowd pleaser.

* A roasted steakhouse rub prime rib roast is perfect for making any occasion a celebration. There’s just something about a perfectly aged, well-marbled, succulent boneless prime rib, topped with delicious blends of spices that may include espresso beans, salt, brown sugar, garlic and chipotle pepper.

* A decadently juicy Chateaubriand is always a special holiday treat. You won’t find a more tender holiday treat to grace your holiday table.

* And last, but certainly not least, a hickory smoked turkey. For some, the traditional Norman Rockwell tablescape will always spur holiday memories that are so vibrant, you can almost taste the turkey.

Once you select the star of your tablescape, the anchor of your meal, it’s time to plan the rest of your meal. It’s never been easier to select side dishes – there is an abundance of holiday gourmet guides, dessert guides, wine lists and online resources to help you choose the perfect complements to your star.

If you’re hoping to simplify your life this year, companies like The Kansas City Steak Company can be a great resource for planning your entire meal. Just add family, friends, a table, your own unique holiday touches and perfectly prepared food. You get all the credit for creating a magical tablescape and a meal your family will be sure to remember for generations to come.

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Get your home holiday-ready

(NC)—As a stylist, I see first-hand how the holidays can be both joyous and overwhelming. With so many things to do, getting the house ready for entertaining can seem like an impossible task, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

No matter what you’re planning, here are the three things I recommend to get your home holiday-ready:

1. Create an air of celebration in your home throughout the holiday season. One of the easiest—but most overlooked—ways of doing this is with scent. Look for a product that creates an inviting atmosphere and eliminates odours, like cooking smells. I like to stock up on Febreze Fabric Refresher, especially with the scent of ‘cranberries & frost’,which I use on cushions, couches and curtains before guests arrive. (Tip: Febreze holiday scented candles also make lovely hostess gifts.)

2. Keep cleaning products within easy reach for quick touch-ups. I always have a bottle of Mr. Clean Disinfecting Spray in my bathroom to make sure surfaces are sparkling and clean before guests arrive. And a Swiffer Sweepervac in the front hall closet means I can quickly touch-up the floor as guests are walking to the front door.

3. Maintain order in the kitchen. People love being in the kitchen at parties, perhaps because it’s the heart of the home. Keep a selection of nice biscuits and an assortment of teas on hand—perfect for welcoming unexpected guests. And try to load your dishwasher as the evening progresses to keep your counters clear and uncluttered. I also recommend using a tough grease-cutting dish detergent, like Dawn Power Scrubbers (which is from the makers of Cascade) for pots, pans and other tough jobs that you’re washing by hand.

With just these few simple tips, you’ll be able to create a guest-ready home, and have more time to enjoy spending with family and friends.

Janette Ewen has been one of Canada’s leading décor and lifestyle experts for more than a decade, passing on her passion for design to avid fans through magazines, newspapers and television.

www.newscanada.com

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Get ready for the holidays with easy tips for around the house

(ARA) – ‘Tis the season for gathering and celebrating. If you’re hosting a party or get together with family or friends, get your home party-ready in no time with these simple tips that will be a breeze to tackle.

Make a lasting first impression – the entry way of your home will be heavily trafficked during the holiday season. Try replacing a worn out rug with a festive or brightly colored rug to create a welcoming feel. Next, take a look in the front hall closet. Create room for guests’ winter attire by moving some of your family coats, hats and scarves to a bedroom or guest room. A closet with open hangers will make your guests feel right at home.

Once past the foyer, evaluate the common areas that guests are likely to gather – the kitchen, living room and dining room. It’s easy for clutter to gather on surfaces, especially when decorations are on display. Clear off counters and table tops and consider removing year-round decorations in favor of holiday decor. The overall look will be warm, festive and inviting.

If you’re looking for changes that will make an impact, consider replacing old switch and outlet covers with new ones. Replacing old cabinet handles can also give your kitchen an updated look and feel. The SKIL iXO – a 4-volt palm-sized screwdriver fits into tight spots, and is a great tool to keep in a kitchen drawer to take on these tasks. It is also great for assembling toys Santa left behind.

With your house ready for guests, there’s just one more thing to do – make a list and check it twice. If you’re still coming up empty handed for loved ones, www.skil.com offers great gift ideas. From advanced do-it-yourself tools like circular saws and routers to handy tools such as a tiny cordless screwdriver, there’s something for everyone.

Visit www.skil.com for additional gift ideas and do-it-yourself projects that will help all season long.

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Make your home ready for the holidays with easy, affordable decor updates

(ARA) – Welcoming friends and family into your home is one of the best ways to celebrate the season. One of the keys to making visitors feel right at home is to be a happy host. So, do yourself – and your guests – a favor and put a little effort into getting your home holiday houseguest perfect.

Since your house will be full with visitors over the holidays, go beyond cleaning and organizing. Adding touches of festive decor will create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere, and if there are do-it-yourself projects still on the to-do list, now is the best time to finish them. Not only will your home look fresh and revived to you, but your guests will certainly notice your home’s updated appearance.

To get your home ready for hosting holiday guests, follow this room-by-room checklist. Whether you want to tackle one room at a time or do it all at once, breaking down your tasks can make the process much easier.

The kitchen

As the central hub of the home, guests will naturally congregate in the kitchen, so spend time making small, budget-friendly updates to make the space more comfortable, for both chef and audience.

* A fresh palette: Make an update that will instantly refresh your space with a new paint color. Be empowered to experiment with a bold, food-inspired hue such as coffee date by allen + roth at Lowe’s. With its limited wall space, the kitchen makes an ideal place to use a bolder hue for just the right pop of color.

* Details matter: Clear the clutter and make room for all the chef’s necessities in your kitchen, making the chef’s job easier. Add updated cabinet and drawer pulls as well as a touch-faucet that offers style and ease of use.

The living room

You’ll be spending a lot of time in your living spaces with your guests, so make sure they’re decorated in festive spirit and ready to accommodate a crowd.

* Layer lighting: Don’t just rely on overhead fixtures. Adding softer ambient light (like wall sconces), task lighting (under-cabinet lights or desk lamps) and accent lighting (such as art lighting or candles) will help set your desired mood.

* Decor details: The mantel is a perfect focal point for holiday decorating. Add some atmospheric scent, color and texture with fresh evergreen garlands and holiday plants. Spray paint terracotta pots silver and gold and plant amaryllis, Christmas rose or rosemary. Or, personalize your display by placing family photos of holidays past and treasured heirlooms over the fireplace, where everyone can see them.

Guest rooms

Both guest bedrooms and bathrooms should be given extra special attention when hosting overnight holiday visitors. Consider everything a guest might need and then add some little extras to make their experience even better.

* Practical fixes: For your guest bedroom, adding portable lighting like small table lamps will make the room seem friendlier when added to overhead lighting and will keep guests from running across the room in the dark after switching off the lights. Adding a decorative mirror is a much-appreciated touch and takes little effort.

* Comforts of home: Ensure that your guest rooms, particularly the bathrooms, make visitors of all ages feel comfortable. Update your bathroom hardware with stylish faucets, knobs and even grab bars to ensure no guests slip or fall when entering and exiting the shower. New products, like a dual towel rod and grab bar by Moen, offers both style and function to make your guests feel at home.

As important as it is for your guests to be comfortable at your home during the holidays, it should be a relaxing place for you too, and one that you can enjoy long after the holiday season. By preparing your home well ahead of time, you’ll be able to focus on enjoying the holidays with your family and friends.

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Simple ways to personalize your holiday decor

(ARA) – What do the holidays mean to you? It’s a special time of year for many people, and many of us share similar tastes and traditions when it comes to how we decorate and celebrate. But if you’re craving something different this year, personalizing your holiday decor can be a great way to put a fresh face on the season.

Here are a few ideas for placing a personal stamp on your holiday – from decorations to home decor:

Holiday murals 

Wall murals are a time-honored design trick for completely changing the look of a room. Imagine an idyllic, snow-covered landscape as a backdrop for this year’s Christmas tree. Or perhaps you would like to spice up your New Year’s party with a New York City scene in your dining room. Since you might not want those scenes gracing your walls year-round, removable murals could be a great way to personalize your holiday decor – temporarily.

A new product, SmartStick by MuralsYourWay.com, makes it easy to customize your holiday decor. The removable mural can be repositioned anywhere in the home and can be reused hundreds of times without losing its adhering qualities. The website offers holiday designs to appeal to virtually every taste, and the material is so versatile you could even put it on a window or smooth exterior wall and use it year after year.

Do-it-yourself decorations 

No purchased holiday decoration could ever be more personal than something you make yourself. Fortunately, DIY holiday decoration projects can be as simple or as grand as you like.

You can opt for easy personalized projects, such as putting family members’ names on holiday stockings or tree ornaments, or decorating some dollar-store picture frames with holiday colors and accoutrements. Or, you can go for high-impact with a larger personalized project, such as creating a wrapping paper wall in one room of your home.

Holiday hues 

Green, red, silver and gold will always have their place in holiday decor, but celebrating the season doesn’t mean you have to give up your love of teal, chartreuse or lemon yellow. In fact, incorporating your favorite non-holiday colors into your holiday decor is a great way to personalize your home’s look for the season.

Home decor stores now carry a wealth of holiday decorations and ornaments in non-traditional colors, and incorporating them into your home is as simple as finding creative ways to use what’s available. Perhaps your salute to your favorite colors will be subtle, such as napkin rings that boast your most-loved shade of blue or a hint of pink or orange in your holiday wreath. Or, you can make a bold, modern statement by emphasizing non-traditional colors throughout your decor and using traditional holiday hues in supporting roles.

However you choose to do it, personalizing your holiday decor is a great way to make the season even more special. Plus, it’s an opportunity to flex your design creativity, explore new decorating ideas and create one-of-a-kind holiday memories.

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(ARA) – ‘Tis the season to be chic on a budget, and with more people planning on spending quality time at home this holiday season, a financially friendly and festive facelift might be just what your house needs.

“With stressors like the tough economy and the holiday hustle-and-bustle, finding the time and money for holiday decorating can by trying,” says Lisa LaPorta, lead designer and co-host of HGTV’s Designed to Sell. “There are countless quick and inexpensive do-it-yourself projects that can brighten a home in time for the holidays and beyond.”

Most homeowners will be staying put in 2009, according to the 2008 KILZ brand Roller Report. Those homeowners should consider renovations that will outlive the upcoming holiday fuss. LaPorta offers holiday design tips to brighten homes on a budget this year:

Dining rooms for holiday feasts … and leftovers.
Applying a fresh coat of primer and paint is the easiest way to transform a space with minimal time and money. Save the season’s rich reds and golds for festive accent pieces like trim, picture frames and pillows. Try painting interior walls with shades of deep taupe, warm grey or soft brown. All are trend-right and make an impact without overwhelming interior design. Regardless of paint color, start with a high quality water-based primer like KILZ Premium. This will block and hide water stains and save time by reducing the number of top coats.

Commanding centerpieces for year-round flair.
Starting with a neutral wall color allows infinite options for a festive centerpiece. Fill a glass vase with an arrangement of rich red and orange flowers, simple twigs and glass beads or your favorite fruit for a powerful statement that costs close to nothing.

Lisa LaPorta, lead designer and co-host of HGTV’s Designed to Sell

Kitchens that will enchant guests without breaking the bank.
The kitchen is the most-used, equipment-heavy and expensive-to-renovate room in the home, but it makes a huge impact on visitors — which is especially important with the hustle and bustle of dinner parties and family get-togethers this winter. New appliances have the greatest impact on kitchen appeal, but can be costly. If you’re not able to make a large investment during the holidays, achieve a similar effect by updating cabinetry with fresh coats of primer and paint. This, along with new cabinet hardware, will make a kitchen appear brand new in time for the holidays at a fraction of the cost of a full renovation.

Merry accents to make a space pop.
* Use the colors of the season. Store cookies, candies, fruits, ornaments, toys and other treats in large glass jars around your home. Their bright colors and playful nature are perfect for the holiday season.

* Consider scale. Christmas trees are such large statement pieces that smaller decorations can get lost in their shadow. This year many stores are offering oversized ornaments, decorations and flowers that will be sure to pop against your home’s holiday backdrop. This is especially important when decorating outside. Instead of hanging decorations on doors and windows, consider wrapping your entire front door with metallic red paper and a giant bow to make a statement visible from the street.

* Make your ornaments. Visit your local craft store for clear glass Christmas ornaments you can fill with personal items, like family photos, twigs and berries, crystal beads or ribbon.

Visit www.kilz.com for more information.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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