Three Do-It-Yourself Tricks For A Fabulous Holiday
Low on Cost, High in Creativity Ideas from DIY Guru Evette Rios
You don’t need to take a leave of absence from your job or get an advance on your credit card to make the holidays special and bright. There are simple things you can do yourself to make the holidays memorable.
Lifestyle expert Evette Rios is a contributor for the new show, The Chew, which features fantastic tips for entertaining. She says, “You can get inspired by things you already have around the house. And the way to make your décor and your entertaining inspirational is to inject some of your personal style into every element.”
Here are some of her unique tips to add a lot of creativity into your holiday and simple entertaining ideas that won’t break the bank:
The fact is you don’t need to take a leave of absence from your job or get an advance on your credit card to make the holidays special and bright. This year you just need a few tips on easy, inexpensive entertaining, and you can get inspired by things you already have around the house. One thing that really gets me in the holiday mood is festive fabrics and it’s actually super easy to reupholster tired old furniture without a lot of money. Plus you can choose fabrics that are stain, liquid and odor-causing bacteria resistant-like those from CryptonHome. To spruce up your existing furniture, all it takes is a staple gun and some fabric to turn your bar stools or dining room chairs into a new piece of furniture that will repel stains and moisture. Their eco-friendly textiles are also used to create aprons and placemats that are stain and moisture-resistant so even if your guest spills some red wine or if you miss a few crumbs when you’re cleaning, it’s not an issue. You can head to your local Jo-Ann Fabrics store or visit www.cryptonathome.com to find all their great fabrics and products.
To make your home feel festive I just love holiday ornaments but using them in unexpected ways make them more even more interesting. I found these fabulous sets of stylish ornaments at www.AVON.com and they come in sets of three or four for less than $14 and they’re just so cute with shoes, cosmetics, dresses, or a shopping bag for Avon’s 125th Anniversary. Although Avon’s ornaments are the perfect addition to any tree, I recommend taking it a step further and offering these up to the ladies in your life at a holiday brunch for your favorite friends. You can create amazing centerpieces with these ornaments and then offer your friends to take their favorite ones home as a little holiday cheer.
During the holidays it’s important to have your pantry stocked with the essentials so you’re prepared for holiday guests and get-togethers. Some of my favorites include premade broths, assorted coffees, teas and hot chocolate, wine, beer, and soft drinks, baking goods, and spices.
Speaking of holiday staples, Hickory Farms’ gift baskets are a must when entertaining and giving gifts! Hickory Farms’ Party Planner Gift Box is a gift that gives back to your guests and to a great cause. At $45, this signature gift offers a great assortment of Hickory Farms’ award-winning Summer Sausage and their new Farmhouse Cheddar. With every one of these gifts sold, Hickory Farms will donate $5 to the Share Our Strength No Kid Hungry ® Campaign to end childhood hunger in America. And they’re offering 3-Day shipping for just $3 so it’s a great gift to give or receive! You can learn by visiting www.HickoryFarms.com.
Although I’m all for holiday traditions and family recipes, sometimes you got to mix it up and try something new. There are so many recipes that offer new twists and tricks I encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and mix it up a little this year. One way to do that is with a recipe swap with your friends or co-workers.
As for entertaining ideas and recipes, make sure you take inventory. Make sure the cupboards and fridge are stocked with all the necessities. I also like to purchase a few frozen hors d’eouvres that can be heated in a pinch as well as a make ahead meal or two for when time is running tight. It’s also so helpful to make a few things ahead of a big holiday gathering can make a huge difference in how enjoyable it is for you, the host. This year I prepared pumpkin soup, pie crusts and even mixed up the ingredients for bread and stored it in a plastic tub! Finally, don’t be afraid to delegate. There is nothing wrong with doing a pot luck holiday so ask your guests to bring a few items to fill out your holiday table, it’s a fun way to add new dishes to your holiday table!
For more holiday entertaining ideas please visit www.EvetteRios.com.
About the Talent: Evette Ríos is a home, lifestyle, and crafting expert and contributor to The Chew. She also appears often on “Rachael Ray” and "Today”. Ríos is a featured blogger on Rachael Ray.com, and a frequent contributor to Everyday with Rachael Ray Magazine, where she's known for headlining dramatic "Kitchen Fix" renovations. Previously, she was a field correspondent and salvage expert for Planet Green’s “The G Word," and co-host and designer for both “Freestyle” on HGTV and TLC’s home repair show “In A Fix.” Also a noted holiday expert and contributing editor to BHG.com, she hosts Better Homes & Gardens’ enormously popular 100-Days of Holidays online video series. Ríos is also regular contributor to Univision’s “Al Despertar” and Siempre Mujer magazine.
