How to Host the Perfect Holiday Gathering

The snow is beginning to fall, the air is getting crisper, and the sun is setting a little earlier. Winter has arrived and so has the holiday season! If you are hosting the family this year for the holidays, Antonucci Lawn and Garden has a few ideas to help you host the party of the year!

What You Will Need

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Heat, Lots of Heat

The winter season has just begun, so you may want to consider investing in an outdoor heating device to keep your guests warm. Here are a couple of options for outdoor heating:

1. Outdoor Fireplace or Fire Pit - There is nothing better than grabbing a blanket and pulling your loved ones in close around the fire. Take a look at our Outdoor Fireplace post to read more about the maintenance and different types of fireplaces you can install in your yard.

2. Heating Lamps - Outdoor heat lamps are a great fix for beating the winter chill. You can place them around the dinner table or scatter them throughout the yard to ensure that your guests stay nice and toasty!

Lighting Fixtures

Brighten up your outdoor space with a variety of outdoor light fixtures. Illuminate your pathways with fun and festive pathway lights. These are not only great for making sure that guests can safely navigate around your yard, but they also accentuate the surrounding space. Check out our Landscape Lighting Techniques blog for more tips and tricks for choosing the perfect outdoor lighting.

Think Outside of the Box

Decorate!

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One of the best parts of the holidays is getting to decorate your home! Get your home holiday-ready with the following decor ideas:Pick a Color SchemeIt is important that you establish what type of theme you want for the holiday party prior to getting your decor pieces. The best place to start is by picking a color scheme. Common holiday color schemes include green and red, blue and silver, metallics, or classic white.Festive Table SettingsOnce you have established your color scheme, you can begin laying out the table decor. Dress up your dining room table with printed tablecloths, festive plates, garland, and an eye-catching centerpiece!DIY Candle HoldersWhen in doubt, add candles! Spice up your candle display by making your own winter-themed candle holders. This is a simple and fun way to decorate your space without breaking the bank. You can use materials such as faux pine branches, pinecones, twine, and more to create a holiday vibe!Holiday PlantsAdd some holiday cheer to your yard by planting Amaryllis and Paperwhite flowers:Amaryllis bulbs are fairly easy to grow, as long as you give them the care they need. Invest in good potting soil, water them on a regular basis, and make sure that they are getting enough indirect light.Paperwhites are another type of bulb, these bulbs require a little more care than Amaryllis. You will want to plant your Paperwhites in moistened soil, covering them to the neck and leaving the tips exposed. Water these bulbs regularly and keep them out of direct sunlight.

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Kid-Friendly Activities

The holidays are the time to be surrounded by loved ones, enjoying yummy food and making memories. As much fun as it is for the adults to catch up while cooking in the kitchen, the kids want something a little more high-energy. Here's a list of activities to keep the kids entertained all day long!

1. Put Together a Gingerbread House

2. Festive Tic-Tac-Toe

3. Holiday Trivia

4. Charades

5. Bingo

Reno Landscaping Services

Whether you're planning your next outdoor gathering or are looking to design the perfect outdoor space, Antonucci Lawn and Garden is your go-to local residential landscaper! Connect with one of our Reno landscaping contractors today to get more information about our services.