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?

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.

Holiday entertaining tips

I had the pleasure of being invited to a luncheon yesterday at the gorgeously remodeled KiWe Kitchen – so named for its King West location, not a New Zealand influence.

Hosted by restaurant co-owners Steve Cicekian, chef Chris Straker, Vito Tomasicchio and Ralf Madi and interior decorator Lisa Canning, it was an afternoon designed to offer great holiday entertaining tips and menu inspiration.

Straker offered up a totally scrumptious festive feast. A grilled shrimp with pineapple chutney appetizer was totally delish, as was the goat cheese salad and main of tuna and spicy spring rolls. It was a great alternative to the traditionally heavy holiday fare served at most parties.

The dessert was a totally decadent chocolate cake and spiced hot chocolate – an excellent remedy to the afternoon’s snow, and a great idea that I’ll likely mimic for holiday parties. (It takes the already great idea of a hot chocolate dessert bar to a whole new – and luxurious - level!)

While chowing down on this delicious menu, Canning (from HGTV’s Marriage Under Construction) also shared her tips for holiday decorating on a budget, showcasing a table done for $25.

She used glass vases and martini glasses that she already owned, some newly purchased ornaments in silver and white and a liberal sprinkling of candles to create a winter wonderland-esque setting that I believe even I could try at home.

And, in a very neat trick, she used several lengths of ribbon (which she says could later be used in gift wrapping) to create a sparkly table runner. Canning says it should always glitter during the holidays!

Her other tips include bringing in nature, using a white palette with pops of colour, re-purposing objects you already own (silver and glass can be used year round) and personalizing elements.

For yesterday’s event, she made us each a personalized place setting/ornament using scraps of leftover material from decorating projects cut into festive shapes (mine’s a star). She says it's eco-friendly and easy.

(Canning and Straker will also be showcasing their holiday looks and menus on Dec. 2 on Breakfast Television.)

Easy centrepiece ideas

I think snow is the ultimate in holiday decor. The city never looks prettier - or more festive - than after a fresh snowfall. And, after fighting my way through the freezing cold, wind and smattering of flurries the past two days, I felt it was time to bring a bit of holiday cheer into my home.

So, using a dish from one of my wedding arrangements, a pillar candle and some newly purchased miniature ornaments - which pick up on this season's trends of whites, tone-on-tone and metallics - I put together this centrepiece.

Super easy! And cheap. The new ornaments cost me $18 after tax, and I'll use them again next year.

And, as I've proved, you don't have to be crafty to do it either.

Grab a dish or vase you already have lying around the house - I'm a fan of clear glass, but you could really do any colour, size or shape - and fill it with festive objects. Some suggestions:

• Ornaments in a similar size or colour
• Cranberries
• Dried fruit
• Glass 'pebbles' or jewels
• Pinecones
• Twigs
• Holly
• Beads

Cap it off with a pillar candle, tea lights or LED lights, if you'd like, and voila, a bit of seasonal cheer in minutes.

Pumpkin's big day

Halloween is the time of year when the pumpkin really gets its chance to shine. Sure, pumpkin pie is a traditional part of Thanksgiving dinner, but it's always going to play second fiddle to the turkey. All that changes on All Hallow's Eve, when the pumpkin is thrust into the spotlight - in fact, sometimes it is the spotlight.

This week's poll asked readers if they would be carving a pumpkin this Halloween. Forty-four per cent are sharpening their knives, while five per cent don't know and more than half - 51 per cent - were either skipping the practice or opting to keep their gourds au natural.

Yourhome and Parentcentral are both serving up a bunch of great options for your Halloween pumpkins, including stencils, a how-to video and some tricks for decorating your pumpkin without dealing with all that mush.

And, be sure to vote in this week's poll, which asks if you would purchase stigmatized real estate - that is, a home with a history of murder, suicide, hauntings or inexplicable activities.

Check out the story of one woman whose dream home had a haunted history - which eventually caused her to put it up for sale - and read columnist Bob Aaron's 'buyer beware' warning about stygmatized homes.

'Tis the season for autumn decorating

Thanksgiving lends itself to decorations including horns of plenty, turkey-themed candle holders, luxe linens and loads of pumpkins, which can later be turned into jack-o'-lanterns for Halloween. Small changes, but they can do a lot to set the mood for this now-past holiday.

Maybe Yourhome readers were hitting the road this weekend to spend time with friends and family, but nearly 50 per cent of those who voted in last week's poll said they weren't decorating for the holiday.

Twenty-two per cent decked their halls with Thanksgiving touches, while 14 per cent took the holiday as a chance to spruce up their dinner table.

Fall decor already fit the bill for eight per cent, and an additional eight per cent relied on their Halloween decor - which leads into this week's poll question (find it on the bottom left of the front page).

When do you decorate for this spooky time of year? Are you an early bird or a last minute decorator? Cast your vote and I'll update you on the results next week.

And, for some fall inspiration, check out Colin and Justin's column on making seasonal adjustments as easy as pie.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The leaves are changing colour, the air is crisp, and I'm just a few hours away from heading out to spend the weekend over-eating with family. Yes, it's Thanksgiving!

It's a time to give thanks for family and friends, enjoy wonderful food (check out our recipes and tips) and perhaps even show off your mad kitchen skills. (Learn how to roast a turkey here).

Personally, I'm thankful that this year I am not solely responsible for feeding those near and dear to me! I'm no slouch in the kitchen, but a Thanksgiving feast can be a really big responsibility - which is why last year, I abandoned the oven and grabbed a Thanksgiving feast of won ton soup and spring rolls with friends.

On a more substantial note, I'm thankful that this year I'll get to share the holiday with my in-laws and my husband. It's still hard being away from home on the holiday - I particularly miss my mom's apple dressing, made from a secret family recipe, and peeling apples with my dad for pies, but I'm very grateful to have family in Ontario to share the weekend with.

So share your reasons for being thankful, check out Yourhome.ca's Thanksgiving guide and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!