8+ hour, 13+ min ago (351+ words) Buffy is a writer for Static Media who has published articles on brand sites like Mashed, Foodie, The Takeout, Chowhound, and now, House Digest. She has worked in the media industry since 1999, contributing to outlets like Der Spiegel Online (Berlin, Germany), USA Today Travel, AZ Central, CBS Radio, and more. The Genius Wrapping Paper Hack That Makes Any Tablescape Look Professionally Designed We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Wrapping paper hacks are everywhere come the holiday season. Usually, they offer you Instagram-worthy tips on making your wrapped gifts look like they came straight from Santa's workshop. Or they attempt to teach you all the ways you can shred your old wrapping paper to turn it into packing grass for fragile gifts next season. But come the 12 days of Christmas dinner, it's likely that the wrapping paper…...

1+ day, 15+ hour ago (759+ words) Southern interior designers share how to instantly make a small dining space appear larger. Stuck with a small dining space? There's no need to fret'with these helpful designer tips, you'll be well on your way to designing a more spacious looking room in no time. Here, Southern experts weigh in with useful insights regarding furniture shape, wall color, and much more. You want whatever furniture you choose for your dining room to allow for easy movement within the space, which is key when hosting, and will ensure that your space doesn't seem too cramped. "It is very important in a small dining room to select furniture that is proportionate to the room and not to overcrowd the space, allowing for comfortable circulation," says Aileen Warren, the founder of Jackson Warren Interiors in Fairhope, Alabama. "You want to think about flow…...

2+ day, 14+ hour ago (265+ words) Kristina gained her first experience working with plants in a family-owned garden nursery over 30 years ago. After spending nearly a decade and a half in Paris, France, she made her way to the high desert of Utah where her small farm features a large vegetable garden as well as fruit-bearing trees and shrubs. Give Your Holiday Tablescapes An Upgrade With An Elegant Thrift Store Find When planning a holiday meal for family or friends, we all want to set the scene to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. For those of us who don't have our own sets of family heirlooms to add a sense of tradition to the gathering, secondhand items can help create a setting filled with comfortable elegance. Plus, you can create a completely unique design since those items aren't available in stores. Embroidered linens, such as…...

2+ day, 15+ hour ago (266+ words) Hint: It's not deep-clean the attic. Hosting guests is no small feat, especially during the holidays. Schedules are busy with festive occasions and last-minute to-dos, and spending time with friends and family makes it all that much more celebratory. However, the real trick is remaining stress-free once the season arrives and actually enjoying it alongside your loved ones." When preparing to host guests'whether for holiday parties, big family meals, or overnight stays'it can feel overwhelming to make sure everything is just right. But I've learned that getting every last thing done isn't worth being over-stressed, and it's certainly not feasible if you're actively hosting guests for days on end." If you've fallen behind on your deep-cleaning plans or intensive hosting prep list, don't fret. Guests aren't as observant as you think, so focus on this one method instead." My answer…...

3+ day, 16+ hour ago (488+ words) Shop our favorite finds from Martha's storefront. The holiday season will be here before you know it, which means it's time to make your gift list and start checking off names. If you're looking to buy something for the person in your life who loves to host, we've rounded up some perfect ideas from Martha's Amazon storefront, including tableware, home d'cor, and, of course, the reprint of Martha's first book, Entertaining. Whether you're attending a Christmas dinner or a New Year's Eve bash, these gifts will make any host happy this holiday season. Martha's debut book, Entertaining, is officially back on shelves. Originally published in 1982, the tome is available again just in time for the holidays. It features everything a good host needs to know, from planning tips to more than three hundred original recipes. This 5-piece set includes four…...

3+ day, 18+ hour ago (326+ words) By now, seasoned and first-time hostesses alike have sent out invitations for their Thanksgiving feasts and Christmas f'tes. Now, it's time to finalize plans for menus, tablescapes and the all-important flow of the gathering. Morgan Shirley, who co-owns'Cypress Tents and Events with her husband William, offers these tips for elevating any at-home gathering this holiday season. Let there be light'layered lighting, that is. Adding lamps, bistro lights or warm candlelight makes any space feel more welcoming. "A pair of lamps on a dining table or bar, for example, instantly adds warmth and intimacy, creating an elevated yet inviting atmosphere without feeling overdone," Morgan says. Cordless lamps and flameless candles make for worry-free hosting and decorating, she notes. Let your personality and traditions shine through your d'cor choices. Pairing your heirloom china with rentals like colorful chargers, specialty tabletop centerpieces and…...

3+ day, 23+ hour ago (183+ words) ALSO READ: Want your home to feel like a warm hug? 6 decor tips to make it cosy Weddings are also a reunion of relatives and friends, near and far, who come across cities, states and even countries, to make the celebration a success through collaborative efforts. The first, and most practical thought would be to accommodate guests at the hotel, but certain guests are too close to heart to stay anywhere else. That's where guest rooms come in, housing relatives/friends who travel from afar. And just like the splendour and style that fill the rest of the home, guest rooms are not spared any details either, going beyond simple functionality. The goal is not only to give a place to sleep but to create a space where they feel comfortable. A well-designed guest room makes guests feel pampered and…...

3+ day, 23+ hour ago (1855+ words) We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. The unsung heroes of a full house and a busy kitchen. In reality, you're tripping over shoes in the foyer, rummaging for plates you prayed hadn't chipped, and trying to remember where you last saw your wine stain remover. That's just the truth of it." It comes with an extra round tray, two slate labels (with chalk), two ceramic bowls for dipping sauces, and four slicing and serving utensils. Smirly is a small business that makes clever and cool kitchen and hosting products! Get it from Amazon for $39.9+ (available…...

4+ day, 5+ hour ago (349+ words) DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I have added a dog to our family. We tried to work with many different animal shelters and rescues, but it just did not work out for us to go that route. We also did a lot of research on getting a dog from reputable breeders, but we couldn't afford any of them. We ended up purchasing a dog from what some would call a "backyard breeder." She was a lovely woman, with beautiful, healthy puppies and reasonable prices. There was nothing shady, illegal or "puppy mill" about her. We spent a lot of time making this decision, and we are happy with the puppy we got. However, every time someone asks about our new puppy, they want to know what shelter I got him from. Many people are horrified to hear I would…...

4+ day, 11+ hour ago (510+ words) The cook and author gives us her best entertaining advice. Above: Cookbook author Molly Baz and her husband, furniture and spatial designer Ben Willett. Welcome to House Party, where we ask expert hosts for their top entertaining tips, tricks, and tabletop tactics. Come party with us. We asked Baz for her hosting advice'and to reminisce on her best parties ever. ELLE Decor: What is your top entertaining tip? Molly Baz: I feel strongly that at all times, your guests should have either a drink in one hand or a snack or something to eat in the other. I feel like a party is awkward when there's nothing to consume. So my first piece of advice would be: Put something in your guests" hands the second they walk in the door. That will lubricate the evening and get things rolling. What…...