Lillian Vernon Blog

A Treasury of Fine Gifts Since 1951

Keep it Simple! Entertaining Tips and Gifts to Breeze Through the Holidays

a509053-white-wood-tray-wine-bottles-with-personalized-labels-drink-measure-stemless-wine-glasses-personalized-wine-glasse

A Lillian Vernon exclusive, our NEW White Wood Tray and Personalized Tray Liners come in three different plaids; $19.99 tray, $9.99 plaid liners by designer Jillian Yee-Pham; Personalized Glassware Collection $12.99 and up HERE; Personalized Wine Labels, set of 36, $9.99; Monogrammed cocktail napkins, $24.99 for set of 125. Shop all designs HERE

 

Set Up a Festive Self-Service Bar at Home

-It doesn’t have to be a fancy bar cart, but instead any side table you have handy.  If it has a shelf on the bottom, even better.  And if it’s not in great shape, no worries!  Cover it with a small tablecloth, runner or placemat.  Guests will like to make their drink exactly how they like it, freeing you up to chat and be the best host.

-Be sure to include an assortment of sodas, mixers, spirits:  gin, vodka, rum and whiskey, and liqueurs:  vermouth, orange liqueur and bitters.

-Place lemons, limes, and olives in decorative bowls such as our Acacia Wood Condiment Set and nuts, snacks, gummy bears in small bowls, such as our white, all-purpose Three-Section Bowl

-Make it more special with personalized or monogrammed glassware and a customized plaid tray.

-Display festive cocktail napkins such as our new Snowflake Initial design by Jillian Yee-Pham.  Shop HERE for all of our exclusive designs.

-If you are on a budget, our Personalized Wine Labels can go on any bottle, adding a chic and decorative touch to any bar or table.  They also make an ideal customized gift.

-Hang a personalized plaque (see below) or wreath above the bar cart

-Add a short set of string lights across the front and some pine or boxwood sprigs and ornaments to make it merry.

 

gl541-copenhagen-carafesThese beautiful Copenhagen Carafes by Roost can be used on your bar, in the kitchen or by your bedside.  Use them for infused water (try ginger, cucumber or lemons/limes), wine, a specialty cocktail or liquor.  Made from artisanal glass with wood stoppers.  They also make a great gift!  $37.99 sm, $42.99 med, $47.99 large

 

816097-christmas-carousel-1

Exclusive Lillian Vernon Classic Christmas Carousel, $49.99. Red candles, $9.99 for two or more

 

Always have a signature piece for your buffet or dining table.  Whether it’s a floral centerpiece, a bowl of natural greenery and berries, a glass jar with fruits, or special family heirloom, take some time to make it special.  Crafted according to German tradition, our wooden Christmas carousel features intricately detailed scenes with 28 hand-painted figurines. Place garland or magnolia leaves around the carousel and include some mini gold ornaments.  A sure show-stopper, year after year.

 

572300-5-piece-cheese-board-set-wine-glasses-red-hobnail-candle-ribbon-table-runner-group

Our NEW Ribbon Christmas Tree Table Runner is adorned with shiny jingle bells and is trimmed in red piping, $29.99; Hobnail Glass Candle by Simpatico, $32.99; Five-piece Cheese Board Set, $49.99; Knit Sweater and Hat Bottle Toppers, $6.99 or two or more for $5.99 each; Personalized Glassware, Shop HERE

 

Serve an Easy Menu of Finger Food or Small Bites

-From the traditional cheese and crackers to your own holiday specialties, make it easy on yourself and choose a few of your favorites (mini steak bites on popovers, scallops wrapped in bacon, stuffed mushrooms, mini-quiche bites, etc.), and place on one decorative table for your guests to help themselves.  Guests will enjoy the casual feel and unstructured setting.

-Always include a small bouquet of flowers in a festive vase and a candle.  Enjoy the scent of currants, cranberries, cedar and fir with our red Hobnail Glass Candle (above), then use as a vase afterwards

-Treat guests to a gourmet cheese experience with our five-piece set that includes:

  • 16″L x 10 1/2″W cheese board
  • 10-in. glass Dome
  • Two 3-5-in. bowls
  • 7-in. Cheese spreader
    Acacia wood serving board provides a durable base for all your cheese preparation needs. Glass dome helps keep cheeses, hors d’oeuvres fresh. Ceramic bowls are perfect for dips and sauces. Acacia wood, ceramic, glass.

-Fill a personalized glass with breadsticks, candy canes, cinnamon sticks or mint chocolates

-Layer your table with different textures such as burlap, ribbon, and cotton.  Be sure to use different heights to display your food, whether it’s just placing a tray on a small box covered with burlap, or a fancy cake stand.

-If you don’t have time to bake, buy some sweets from your grocery store and dress them up with festive flags, such as our Santa Holiday Red & Blue Flags by Maureen Anders

-Why not dress up your wine bottles as a gift or a fun holiday display at home.  Finely crafted winter “bottle” knit sweater and cap sets are a delightful way to wrap up gift-giving! We’ll choose a festive style for you from our six designs.  Shop HERE

-Resist the urge to clean up during the party!  Enjoy yourself and wait until later.

1a1112e0-2cc4-4def-8c07-2d89b4bc8e5f

4865007c-bring-on-cheer-beverage-tub-with-holiday-throw-knit-sweater-hat-bottle-toppers-group

Beverage Tub, $29.99 each; Holiday Throws, 49.99 each; Knit Sweater and Hat Bottle Toppers, $6.99 each or two or more for $5.99

 

Bring on the Holiday Cheer with our multi-use Beverage Tubs that can double as gift baskets, a floral display, a beer tub, wine cooler, dog toy holder, or fat wood storage.  Comes in “Merry Merry” or “Bring on the Cheer”, $29.99 each

The perfect gift for a teacher, friend or grandparent, our Personalized Holiday Throws warm up any seat in the house.  Choose from Snowman or Snowflake Designs, $49.99 each

 

2016-11-20

A Lillian Vernon exclusive, our Personalized Snowman Throw makes any sofa cozy and festive, $49.99. Also makes the perfect gift for a grandparent, friend or teacher.

 

Live Love Laugh

There are Signs Everywhere!

Rustic, personalized plaques are the biggest trend in home decor.  Whether it’s at your front door to welcome guests, to add warmth to a room, or to give as a special, thoughtful gift, our exclusive Live, Laugh, Love Plaque by designer Jillian Yee-Pham will become a family keepsake. $24.99, personalized for free.  Shop HERE to see our other exclusive Personalized Plaques!

snowflake-buckets

Snowflake Red Aluminum Buckets with silver glitter snowflakes, set of three, $26.99

 

Mini buckets have so many uses around the hearth and home during the holidays.  Use our Snowflake Buckets to:

-Show off mini evergreens, poinsettias or paper whites

-Fill with shiny ornaments or pine cones to display on a bar, side table, mantle or book shelf

-Use them as candle holders

-Line them with personalized linen napkins and fill with bread or breadsticks, crudité, or chips

-Use the large size for fatwood near the fireplace

-Fill them up with candy canes or assorted sweets

-Instead of the traditional box, use them as a gift bucket and fill them with a few of your friend’s favorite things.  Or even better, make some homemade sweets, and deliver them to your neighbor in the shiny bucket wrapped with a big silver bow!  Be sure to include a hand-written note.

 

 

Don’t forget the holiday music and the mistletoe!

 

You Might Also Like

5 Budget Friendly Ideas for a Romantic Evening

FALL in Love with Your Home: Five Personalized Ways to Spruce Things Up for Autumn

Get Spooky with Lillian Vernon…Your Halloween Headquarters for Gifts, Ghouls & Goblins

Calling All Happy Campers! Plan Your Next Family Camping Trip With These 7 Key Pieces

Dog Trainer to the Stars, Tamar Geller, Will Teach You How to Coach Your Best Friend

All is Merry and Bright: Introducing Our Personalized, Keepsake Ornaments for the Holidays

FIVE PET SAFETY TIPS TO FOLLOW ON HOWL-EEN

Show Off Your Style With Our Personalized Napkins for All Occasions

Lillian Vernon Debuts Exclusive Design Partnership with Anders Ruff

Explore, Dream, Discover: Eleven Must-Have Gifts for Happy Kids

Impress for Less: TWENTY Lillian Vernon Exclusive & Personalized Gifts Under $10!

Set Your Thanksgiving Table in Style with Lillian Vernon

Set a Spooky Stage for Your Halloween Party with Lillian Vernon

Oh Man, Why Didn’t I Think of That? The Quintessential Gift Guide for All of the Men in Your Life

Deck the Halls with Personalized Christmas Stockings! New, Classic, and Fun Designs for the Whole Family, Even Your Pet

Making a List, Checking it Twice: Lillian Vernon’s New and Personalized Gifts for Children

Design and Shine with Five of our NEW and Versatile Gifts for Your Home

Here Comes Santa Claus! Our Top New Stocking Stuffers for Kids

Make it Personal: 13 Great Gifts For Her Starting at $6.99!

Good Things Come to Those Who Bake! Tips and Kitchen Essentials for Baking up a Storm during the Holidays

Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader: The Best Personalized Books for Kids

Let the Games Begin! New and Classic Family Games for the Holidays

Creative, Personalized and Unique Baby Gifts for All Seasons

May Your Holidays Be Sweet: Introducing our Personalized Collection from Dylan’s Candy Bar

Tips for Throwing a Holiday Cocktail Party on a Budget

Hitting the Road for the Holidays? Check Out Our Top Tips for Traveling with Kids

Top Tips on How To Nurture Your Budding Artists

Give Thanks the Old-Fashioned Way: Tips on Teaching Children to Write Thank-you Notes

Christmas is Coming! New Ideas to Spruce Up Your Home for the Holidays

Everyone Loves a Sale! Shop our Top Sale Items Under $20 (Many are Under $10!)

Get Santa’s Little Helpers Organized with our Top Five Tips to Staying Tidy

Ladies Who Brunch: Our Exclusive Quick and Easy Quiche Recipe for the Holidays

Make Plans for the New Year: Stylish Photo Calendars for Friends and Family

Ring in 2017 with a Sweet and Chic Cakes & Cocktails Party!

Nesting into the Near Year: Foolproof Tips for Starting the Perfect Fire

Share the Luck ‘O the Irish and Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Lillian Vernon

Take a Break! Packing Tips and Essentials for Your Spring Getaway

Some Bunny Loves You! Tips for Easter Baking With Your Little Ones

Here Comes Peter Cottontail…Our Top 10 Tips for an Egg-cellent Easter Egg Hunt

7 Tips for Fun & Safe Trick-or-Treating This Halloween

10 Fall Activities for Your Fall Bucket List

20 Things to be Thankful For This Thanksgiving

15 Christmas Home Decor Ideas

10 Tips to Help You Stay Productive At Work (Even Though It’s The Holidays)

9 Christmas Desserts You Can Leave For Santa

How To Make New Year’s Resolutions (And Not Break Them)

4 Fun DIY Calendar Ideas

10 Creative Ways to Say “I Love You” On Valentine’s

How to Organize Your Closet

6 Meaningful Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Staycation vs Vacation | Which one is right for you?

It’s Time to Get Spooky!

Show-Stopping Fall Tablescapes

The Power of Personalized Presents

Top Gifts for Kids

Post-Holiday Organizing Tips

Top Wedding Gift Ideas for 2019

Make Easter Special for Every Child

Gifts to Suit Any Mom

Summer “Must Haves” for 2019

What’s in your 2019 Pool or Beach Bag?

Family Fun Month – Make the Most of the Last Days of Summer

Trick or Treat – Spooky or Sweet?

It’s Entertaining Time!

Stuff the Perfect Stocking

Timeless Christmas Décor for Every Taste

Warm Your Heart with Tea

Pet Training 101 – Hacks for Training Furry Friends

Honoring Women’s History Month

Top Essentials to Create the Perfect Easter Baskets