Haute for the Holidays: Tips for hosting and entertaining
The holiday season is the hostess’s time to shine. Holiday gatherings are shifting toward more relaxed, intimate celebrations with close friends and family — moving away from formality in favor of comfort and connection, explained Colleen Hall, senior vice president of marketing at C&F Enterprises.
“In times of uncertainty, people are seeking joy, and a holiday get-together offers just that,” she said. “At the heart of it, we’re all — consumers, retailers and manufacturers alike — working toward the same goal: to rekindle the simple, meaningful pleasure of celebrating. Even if just for a season, these moments of happiness, warmth and togetherness are what truly make the holidays special.”
Three wholesalers share trends and products that can make hosting easy and make guests feel right at home.
COZY AMBIENCE
There is an overall shift toward more curated holiday spaces — warm lighting, natural textures and décor that feels intentional but still festive, said Janet Blair, marketing manager at Melrose International. The modern hostess is typically striving to create relaxed elegance, incorporating soft LED glow, sculptural shapes and spaces that feel cozy yet uncluttered.
Layering, especially with lighting, is a continuing trend from 2024. Melrose International is leaning into this trend by focusing on versatile, elevated pieces that bring warmth and style without the fuss. Some of its strongest performers this season are the LED Deer & Trees in Greenhouse, LED Globe Set and the Santa Lantern. Customers love these for the soft light and simple styling, Blair explained.
“People are mixing taper candles, lanterns and globes to build soft, ambient moments. What’s evolved is the styling — it’s more intentional, with fewer pieces doing more visual work,” she said.
Blair expects hosts will create smaller, more intimate gatherings with a shift toward cozy, layered décor. People will move away from formal, overly staged homes filled with one- note holiday décor to a more curated, less chaotic approach with more personal touches.
“Think layered lighting, soft neutrals and just the right amount of sparkle. Hosts are using fewer pieces, but styling them better,” Blair said, adding that it’s less about making a big splash and more about creating moments that feel warm and thoughtful.
MERRY TABLESCAPES
Thoughtful layering is also key when curating an unforgettable holiday tablescape. “Begin by identifying the overall mood or style you want to convey — whether it’s elegant and refined, rustic and cozy, or whimsical and festive,” Hall said. “This vision will guide every detail that follows.”
Tablescapes can be tailored for both formal sit- down dinners and casual cocktail parties. Start with a foundation layer for the table: a tablecloth or base linen that sets the tone and anchors the design. Next, add a table runner, which helps define the space for a centerpiece and place settings.
Blair advises to start with a strong focal point — something with height and presence that doesn’t overwhelm the table, like a sculptural tree, a statement lantern or a bold candleholder that can instantly anchor the space. From there, layer in soft lighting with LED accents or globe-style pieces to create that warm, ambient glow. Add in natural elements like pinecones, sprays or a simple greenery runner to ground the look and bring in texture.
“The key is to keep it sculptural, not cluttered,” she said. “Let the décor frame the table, not take it over. And most importantly, leave room for the food — the best tablescapes are the ones that invite people to sit, share and stay awhile.”
Hall concurs that the centerpiece is the visual anchor to a tablescape. An impactful focal point — a dramatic floral arrangement, festive figurine or decorative bowl — and build outward. Incorporate varying heights and textures to keep the eye moving: taper candles, small votives, miniature trees, ornaments or seasonal accents can all add charm and dimension.
For seated dinners, continue to build the table with placemats and napkins, layering texture and color to enhance visual interest.
“Each place setting should feel special and considered,” Hall said. “Add a personal or decorative touch with napkin rings, fresh sprigs of pine or rosemary, handwritten place cards, ornaments or small wrapped gifts — these elements bring warmth and character to the table.”
Finally, scatter a few smaller decorative pieces — think pinecones, berries or shimmering accents — to tie everything together and complete the look.
“The result? A layered, inviting tablescape that captures the spirit of the season and leaves a lasting impression,” Hall said.
HOLIDAY BESTSELLERS
In 2025, Melrose International is seeing a growing interest in multifunctional décor — pieces that can shift from one setting to another throughout the season. The LED Ornament Candle is an example; it can be a centerpiece one day, the next it’s tucked into a bookshelf or gift basket.
“Customers are also leaning into pieces that move easily from room to room,” Blair said. “Whether it’s the mantel, dining table or entryway, they want décor that works across settings and feels cohesive. At Melrose, we’re designing for exactly that kind of flexibility.”
Melrose International’s new and bestselling pieces are meant to be placed throughout the home and be reused, such as its Globe Set or Santa & Tree Ekkolight, Blair said. Some of the wholesaler’s consistent sell- throughs are the LED Tree Set, Pine Cone Ornaments and the Tree Taper Candle Set.
C&F Enterprise offers a wide range of holiday entertaining and tabletop items with an emphasis on texture-rich textiles and decorative accents.
Hall said she is seeing a growing holiday entertaining trend — the intentional fusion of old and new. Hosts are using a layered approach to tabletop styling by pairing heirloom pieces — such as Grandmother’s dishes or vintage silver — with modern accents. She said many hosts invest in seasonally on-trend elements, like updated table linens and contemporary glassware, with the foundation of the table often featuring cherished items that bring warmth, history and meaning to the occasion.
Melrose International.
“This blend of past and present not only creates a rich, storied aesthetic but also reflects a broader cultural shift toward sustainable and sentimental entertaining where personal style meets purposeful storytelling.”
C&F Enterprises’ current standout holiday collections include the Vintage Christmas crossover line from C&F Home and Gallerie II, the Nordic Merry collection from carol & frank, the White Christmas collection from C&F Home, and two detailed embroidered collections from Rightside Design: the Cardinal and Pheasant holiday table linens.
“All of these collections have previewed exceptionally well and are expected to drive strong retail performance throughout winter 2025, with textured and embroidered table linens, artisanal wood serveware, and whimsical decorative accents leading the way as top holiday must-haves,” Hall said.
JOLLY BITES & SIPS
An element to take hosting to the next level: holiday stovetop scents from Country Home Creations. Popular during the holiday season, the wholesaler offers four fragrances — Apple Pie, Christmas, Vanilla and Gingerbread — to add festive aromas to the room.
Justin Gailitis, national sales manager for Country Home Creations, believes the key to a good holiday table is simplicity. Similar to 2024, people are increasingly integrating traditional dishes into their festive menus — including comfort food favorites.
Gailitis said a great holiday tablescape should be both beautiful and welcoming — and that includes its menu. Country Home Creations has a variety of flavors that make the holiday taste festive.
“Start by offering a mix of sweet, savory and spicy options so there’s something to satisfy every craving,” he said. “And don’t forget inclusivity: Consider your guests with dietary needs by including at least one gluten-free and one vegan-friendly option. It’s those thoughtful touches that make everyone feel truly at home.”
Country Home Creation’s holiday dip mix flavors include Sugar Cookie, Gingerbread, Cranberry Walnut, Hot Cocoa, Harvest Pumpkin and Maple Pecan. Its cookie mix line includes the Gingerbabies and Gingerkids kits and can be complemented with hot cocoa drink mix known as Snowman Soup.
“Everyone loves coming together for the holidays, enjoying delicious food, engaging conversations and great company,” he said. “Add a fun cocktail for the adults and some entertaining holiday games for the kids, and you’re sure to have a wonderful time!”
CURATING IN-STORE CHEER
Retailers can help customers reach these holiday design goals by simplifying decision-making. Hosts usually walk in with a purpose when shopping for a holiday party.
“Curate small bundles or table-ready groupings that take the guesswork out of styling,” Blair suggested. “A few well-paired pieces that work together as a centerpiece or entryway setup can go a long way.”
Hosts often walk into stores with a vision or theme that they don’t always know how to bring to life. Hall said retailers creating curated displays in a variety of styles can offer both inspiration and guidance to simplify and elevate the shopping experience.
“These displays should include the essential textiles and hardgoods needed to set the table, create a striking focal point and enhance the room’s overall ambiance,” she said. “To take it a step further, retailers can offer ‘shop the look’ bundles, making it even easier for customers to recreate the look at home.”
Retailers can also help customers elevate their hosting by providing easy-to-make and tasty products and samples that they can make at home.
“Holidays can be quite stressful for many, so it’s essential to offer something that’s nearly effortless to prepare,” Gailitis said.
Giftable extras are another smart opportunity, Blair added. Stock small, stylish items like votives, ornaments or seasonal candles near the checkout — things that feel thoughtful but easy to grab on the way out.
“Above all, create inspiration in-store,” Blair said. “Set up simple vignettes that show how products can work together. When a customer can see how it comes together, they’re far more likely to take it home.”
