Holiday Entertaining with The Wow Factor

Posted By: Ken Mariotti

The secret to entertaining during the holidays is creating the right ambiance or the wow factor. The wow factor is that feeling you get when you approach the home of a holiday party and you feel the energy. The light shines out into the night through the windows, the porch is decorated and lit up, and the well-lit path to the door delivers you to the party.

The wow factor sets the energy for your gathering. There you are greeting your guests as they arrive framed by an elegant front door. The contemporary black wood finish, classic side lights and oversized transom beckons your guests to come inside. Maybe it's a red classic front door that welcomes your guests. Whichever door you choose, when it’s adorned with holiday decorations it is most inviting.

Stepping into the entry foyer your guests feel a cozy warm space or maybe, they're dazzled by the open views of a more contemporary design with oversized windows and doors opening the views across room. 

Inside, you've turned up the wow factor a notch with another secret technique - light bouncing off surfaces throughout the room. Your tree and holiday decorations twinkle and candlelight radiates your polished silver serving trays. Those of you who think you only need to clean your windows in the Spring will need to add Fall to your schedule if you're after the wow factor. Did you know that clean windows let in more light in the winter and of course, a clean glass surface reflects brightly into your room.

You look around the room to see that your energized guests are mingling new people that they've just met, rekindling old friendships, promising help to their neighbors, and sitting with your 95 year old uncle. Your stress melts away because your party is a resounding success. Unfortunately, etiquette dictates that you leave the lights on and the candles burning until your last guest leaves, but you can let the food and fun beverages run out, when you're ready to turn out.   

If this sounds nothing like your holiday party - there's always next year. So start your plan now.

2015 Wow Holiday Party To Do List: New front door

• Replace old windows with larger windows
• Add new interior French doors with decorative glass in the dining room. 
• Replace old pantry and kitchen doors with a frosted glass French doors. 
• Upgrade outdoor lighting.
• Wash the windows.
• Power wash the front porch and walk.
• Put up the decorations.
• Send out invitations.
• Don't forget the food and drink - its a quick way to loose the wow factor. 

Light it up and enjoy. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.