The holidays are only a few days away! If you’re hosting this year and don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered! Aisha Beau Frisbey is an Instagram influencer who shares hosting, lifestyle, and fashion tips, and she’ll answer all your holiday hosting questions.
Where do you shop for holiday decor?
I generally like to take a high/low approach when it comes to shopping for decor. You never know what gems you’ll find. I first like to begin in person at Home Goods. Every season, they have new and exciting pieces that always feel very personal to me. Not to mention, they are reasonably priced! Other options are Kirkland’s, CB2, FrontGate, West Elm, and Williams Sonoma.
I generally mix in-person and online shopping for decor. While shopping online is most convenient, it’s important to be able to see pieces up close, touch them, and feel the quality before purchasing.
Last year, a dear friend gave me a tree from Balsam Hill as a housewarming gift, and I’m absolutely in love with it. If you’d prefer an artificial tree, theirs are truly made to last. Not to mention, they offer a number of wreath and garland options that can help breathe new life into your space for the holidays!
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How can people classily decorate their homes for the holidays (without looking tacky or overdone)?
It’s important to get clear on your holiday style. I’m big on creating Pinterest boards to help plan out my vision. Saving inspiration helps you stay on track and figure out what look truly resonates with you. It also helps you envision how you can incorporate objects into your space instead of buying something and not knowing exactly where it will go.
You can gather pieces within that particular theme and flow together more seamlessly. If you like multiple styles, that’s okay too—I suggest breaking them up by space. For instance, I love gold decor on my tree, but I also enjoy a more festive look with reds and greens. So, my entryway takes a literal approach with the red, green, and garlands. My living room will have a slightly more luxurious feel and golds, metallic, and pops of sparkle.
Overall, Holiday decor is meant to accent your home, not overpower it. So, add pieces that complement your current layout. Swap out a throw pillow or blanket. Replace a vase with a decorative tree. Sprinkle in the cheer, and watch it all come together!
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Favorite holiday hosting tips?
I think it’s always better to have more than not enough. You never want to run out of food or drinks for your guests, so keep that in mind as you shop.
And as with decor, plan! Have a menu in mind, and begin prep a few days ahead. That way, you can ensure that everything is balanced.
Have your appetizers/light bites ready and out right before guests arrive so that they can begin nibbling right away. Pre-batch a delicious cocktail so you won’t have to juggle being a mixologist and host all night long. Ensure that it’s easily accessible so guests can self-serve as needed.
What are some of your favorite hors d’oeuvres to make for the holidays?
You can never go wrong with a well-rounded and beautifully displayed cheese and charcuterie board. Ensure it has savory and sweet options, crunch, fresh fruit, and herbs as garnish.
I also do my best to keep crackers off the board because they tend to go the quickest and can be a mess. Having them on a separate tray next to your board is always a good option.
Having additional cheese pre-sliced so that you can easily replenish your board helps to make things flow as well.
Other hors d’oeuvres I love are bacon-wrapped dates, roasted Brussels sprouts, cracked black pepper steak bites, and spicy shrimp salad over crispy rice bites.
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Holiday cocktail ideas?
I make a delicious holiday sangria that I’ve perfected over the years and has become a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients:
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- 1 bottle of red wine (your choice) ⠀
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- 1/2 bottle of sparkling apple cider⠀
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- Bourbon (I didn’t measure, but let’s say 1 cup) ⠀
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- 3 Apples (chopped)⠀
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- 1 Orange (sliced) ⠀
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- 1 – 2 cups of cranberries⠀
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- Cinnamon sticks⠀
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- Ground cinnamon⠀
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- Granulated sugar⠀
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- Brown sugar⠀
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- Rosemary sprigs ⠀
I put all of these ingredients into our pitcher and stirred it up, and it was absolutely delicious! Sangria also gets better with time, so on days 2 and 3, it was perfect!
Favorite wine and food pairings?
I love a smooth, medium-bodied, fruit-forward Zinfandel these days, and one of my favorites is the 2018 Iris Zinfandel by Michael Lavelle. What I love about it is that it’s truly enjoyable to drink on its own and extremely versatile. I can pair it with spiced lollipop lamb chops, my favorite drunken goat cheese from Whole Foods, or a piece of dark chocolate!
XOXO & Happy Holidays,
Your Fashion Bestie
