Happy New Year's parties

As I prepare to ring in the New Year tonight, I'm more than a little thankful that I'm not hosting! After a whirlwind trip to visit my family in Nova Scotia and then two days visiting my husband's family in Ontario, I only got back to Toronto on Sunday evening, and then I was back to work. That does not leave much time for party planning.

But, that doesn't mean last minute preparations are impossible - even if you're only starting now! A fab bash requires only a few essential elements: good friends (get out that cell phone and start texting), snacks (if you're feeling like making a meal, check out our roundup of lucky foods) and a few cocktails (learn the gradations of drunk, tipsy, hammered and sloshed).

You're on your own for the guest list, but we've   got lots of resources for the rest! Check out the Star's Gord Stimmel's column on bubbly that won't blow your budget and idrink.com's festive cocktail recipes.

Learn to set a fab table with Savoir Faire's Nik Manojlovich and check out Toronto designer and cocktail party aficionado William MacDonald's tips for throwing a very smart cocktail party. Yourhome's Vicky Sanderson also dishes on the goods to get your party rolling. And, as always, thestar.com's food section offers up lots of great dishes for meals, sweets and snacks.

And, if you are playing host, check out quick cheats for making your home seem clean without leaving you harried.

And however you're ringing in the New Year, all the best in 2009!

(Toronto Star file photo)

Happy holidays!

In just a few hours (though it certainly feels like an eternity at this point!) I will be heading to the airport with my husband to celebrate the holidays in Nova Scotia.

I am, of course, very excited to both be heading back home — my family and an enormous plate of mussels awaits — and for my first Christmas as a not-too-old married lady!

The next week will be a flurry of activities: shopping with my dad, wrapping presents, baking cookies with my mom, trimming the tree and catching up with family and friends.

I'll be participating in family traditions — and a healthy dose of eggnog — and hope to find a few goodies under the tree. (I believe I have been a very good girl this year!)

I know that I'm lucky to get to spend the holidays surrounded by loved ones, and wish the same to all of you. Wherever the festivities take you, I hope your holidays are filled with joy and love — and maybe a few new gadgets or decor items for your home!

Happy holidays!

Dreaming of a green Christmas?

While Christmas in Toronto will most likely be white — thanks to yesterday's doozy of a storm and two more forecasted to hit before the big day — nearly half (47 per cent) of Yourhome.ca readers who voted in last week's poll say they're taking steps to have a more eco-friendly holiday. (Read the full story.)

Just over a third (31 per cent) said they weren't planning on greening their celebrations, six per cent said they were thinking about it, and 16 per cent said they didn't know.

If you are thinking about an Earth-friendly holiday, here are a few quick tips as we enter the home stretch:

• Make your own ornaments by bringing in nature and repurposing existing decor items, such as martini glasses and vases.
• Reuse gift bags and get creative when wrapping. A scarf makes a great wrapper for a CD or DVD, and it's a bonus present!
• As you're rounding out those purchases, consider giving loved ones an experience in lieu of traditional gifts — it's a unique present, and odds are they won't have two of them to return come Boxing Day.
• Reuse last year's stylish holiday cards in your decor. Cards can be framed for an extra little touch of festivity or repurposed as gift tags.

Our next poll looks forward to the festivities once the gifts are all purchased and the home is dressed to the nines — the parties. We want to know how many of you are welcoming — and entertaining — family and friends over the holidays.

And, of course, we have a little advice to offer, including tips for hosting a smart cocktail party (along with the best products to help you on your way), personalization ideas and much more in our festive guide.

Cheat on your holiday cleaning!

I only wish I would have read this article before company came to visit.

Rather than frantically washing dishes, stowing laundry and working myself into a tizzy over all the cleaning work that simply could not be done before my guests arrived, I could have just stowed dirty dishes in large pots, stashed toiletries in the tub and lit lemon-scented candles for that just-dusted feel!

Martha would most certainly not approve. But these cleaning "cheats" — while perhaps not hygienic —  are most certainly handy, especially at this time of year!

(Get more holiday tips in our festive guide.)

Name your own paint colour?

I have always wanted to name something new, such as a paint colour, a chocolate bar or an ice cream flavour. I don't know why, but the idea of applying some degree of creativity to a consumer product really appeals to me. Sadly, I have yet to name anything, other than my pet rabbit Al, and, while adorable, he kind of lacks the universal appeal of a new colour.

But, 30 people got to realize my dream recently, when General Paint invited Canadians to name their new palette of "down to earth" colours — a mellow set of nature inspired blue, greens and brown hues. And, of course, they had to explain their choices, which I found fascinating.

For example, the beige-grey colour "Kamala" is named after an elephant at the Calgary Zoo.

Subi from Markham named the colour "Apple Crumble" after the "mix of sweet honey and buttery oats crumbled on top of a steamy baked cinnamon apple pie just fresh out of the oven."

And the colour "Clothes Line Sky" got its name from Caroline in Aurora, who says "when the sky is that colour it makes you want to hang out your laundry to dry in the fresh air."

I can't possibly name the stories behind all the colours here (after all, Christmas is only a week away and I have a lot of preparation, wrapping, packing and cleaning to do!) but you can read them on General Paint's website!

I'm dreaming of a black, pink or acid green Christmas?

Are your festive dreams filled with shades of red and green? Or do you walk on the wilder side of festive decor, perhaps opting for a black tree (strung with pearls a la Audrey Hepburn) like our DecoRita?

While I would hate to see red and green banished from my holiday (I like my traditions), I don't mind adding a few more colours into the mix.

I don't know if I'm daring enough for an acid green, copper or even black tree, but I would certainly be willing to pick up some glass balls or other festive decor in those hues!

And, thankfully, this week I'm not alone.

Last week's poll asked readers if they would use non-traditional hues such as copper, acid green, pink, eggplant or black in their holiday decor (Read the full story). Nearly half (48 per cent) said they would use the shocking shades, while 15 per cent said they would consider it. About a third of voters (37 per cent) said no.

Our new poll - don't worry, it's still holiday themed! - asks whether you're planning on going green this Christmas. Not the acid green way, but the Earth-friendly way.

And feel free to add your thoughts and suggestions for having a more eco-friendly holiday!

Editor's wishlist

It’s Christmas time, and I’ve been awfully good this year. While my family has a more detailed list of my holiday needs and wants, here’s what's currently filling my festive dreams:

Dyson DC 15: I think my current vacuum cleaner knows that I daydream about trading it in for this sleeker, sexier model. It tilts, pivots and rounds corners on a ball instead of bulky wheels and is designed to tackle mounds of bunny hair in seconds without clogging. It also has a telescope reach system, a 37-foot cord, and on-board tool storage.

It’s far more vacuum than I could ever possibly need, but I can’t help but visit it online whenever my vacuum clogs and dies. Did I mention it’s purple?

Riedel Amadeo Decanter: With all the wine consumed in my home (much of it of the inexpensive variety), it’s hard to believe we still haven’t picked up a decanter to make those $14 bottles really shine.

And the Amadeo, with it's clean 'U' shape, seems like one of the prettiest ways to aerate our vino.

Lutz & patmos cable throw : As the temperature drops, I dream of wrapping myself up in this feather grey, cable knit throw, which I imagine is much like a giant, comfy sweater.

I know it would keep me warm through the holidays and beyond.

Available at West Elm.

Chocolatiere: While snuggled up in the aforementioned luscious throw, I would sip on hot chocolate from the Bodum Chocolatiere.

This porcelain serving jug has a propeller rod for mixing up frothy, smooth hot chocolate. Add in a box of deluxe hot chocolate, perhaps spiced, and it's the perfect Mmmm. 

Clocky: I’ve previously discussed Clocky, but I think he’s worthy of another mention.

He’s cute, he plays hide and seek and he comes in pink.

What more could a girl ask for?

Thinkgeek.com ships Clocky to Canada.

Holiday trends

While the classic combo of red and green has fallen out of favour with design divas, it's still a favourite with Yourhome readers.

Last week's poll asked readers if they tried to incorporate the latest trends – such as mixing metallics, cobalt blue and textures – into their holiday decor. (Read the full story and comment).

A resounding 83 per cent said no, while six per cent said they didn't know. A meagre 11 per cent answered "Yes."

As a fan of purple, blue and silver (though not necessarily as a trio), I find that this years' trends actually meld perfectly with my likes and thus boost my existing home decor. Silver and white balls in a vase look chic-yet-festive next to my mocha sofa and lime green pillows, while purple ornaments on my twig tree would add a welcome burst of colour to a forgotten corner.

This week's poll question (found on the home page) continues on in the same vein, asking whether you'd consider incorporating non-traditional holiday hues into your decor. (Read the full story and comment). The idea behind this "trend" is using your favourite colours and those already found in your home decor to add a little holiday cheer.

What do you think?

Here Clocky, Clocky

I've got to admit, I've got a habit of personifying my day-to-day objects. As a result, I've got a soft spot for Clocky.

This adorable alarm clock gives you one chance to wake up, then jumps off your nightstand — alarm sounding — and wheels around looking for a place to hide. (Watch the animation on YouTube).

For people like me, who use their snooze buttons until they wear out, he also addresses the issue of turning off your alarm in your sleep. It's pretty tough to auto-snooze him if you can't find him!

While a game of hide-and-seek may be fun, or necessary, once in awhile, sometimes a girl just wants to sleep in.

Luckily, Clocky can be set not to run away at all. And, he comes in pink!

Designer Gauri Nanda says the prototype - which she describes as a pair of Lego wheels and motors and a shag covering - was inspired while she was a snooze-button reliant student, who would hit the button repeatedly without ever realizing how late it was getting.

At US$50, I think Clocky's a great gift for the playful snoozer on your list :)

Festive food traditions

Now that we're into December, cookies and other holiday sweets have officially become a food group in my household, with plans to whip up a batch (or two) of biscotti this weekend. (I'm thinking dark chocolate-orange should hit the spot).

The holidays also mean the sweet smells of apple cider, eggnog and shortbread cookies will waft through my house for the next few weeks, leading up to a holiday baking marathon with my mom when I land back east. We'll mix up a few batches of squares, fudge, a few varieties of cookies, an easy truffle, some bread and a few other treats.

Then, we'll sneak a few treats and set them aside (or at least try) until we're ready to share them at our annual Christmas Eve party.

What are your holiday food traditions? Is there a sweet treat that you just can't live without?

And, if you're looking for some sweet inspiration, check out our Yummy Yuletide Guide and the Star's Cookie-a-day calendar.