23 November . 2024
Hosting: Home for the Holidays
It’s the holiday season! As planning and anticipation for the winter holidays begins to ramp up, you might feel inspired to host an event of your own at home! Gatherings like these bring to mind many of our favorite aspects of the season—warmth, friends and decor—along with delish apps and hors d’oeuvres, of course!
That said, it’s always good to have a few go-to holiday hosting tips in your back pocket. Here, we tapped Wendell Falls’ home builders for their top advice—and their fave home plan to host in. May the happy holiday parties commence!
Homes By Dickerson
Shireen Hameed
What is one holiday hosting tip you’d like to share with our readers? I always love the idea of having a themed cocktail with fun garnishes—but when it comes to intimate family holiday parties, nothing is better than themed pajamas.
Which Homes By Dickerson home plan would be your dream to host in for the upcoming holiday season? I would love to host a party in the Seabrook. The 12’ sliders off the family room would be open to the screen porch for additional indoor/outdoor entertainment—and the large vaulted screen porch would overlook a fire pit in the backyard filled with loved ones. The open living area with the walk-in pantry, kitchen and large island allows for so much space to cook, display food and entertain. Plus, the large dining table would adorn the dining room, filled with delicious food and decor. We would convert the pocket office to a bar, tucked far away from where the teenagers will play. We will send the kids upstairs to enjoy the large open loft.
Brookfield Residential
Alex Champin
What is one holiday hosting tip you’d like to share with our readers? My holiday hosting tip is for cooking a turkey—because no one likes a dry turkey! My secret: Buy a brine kit and soak the bird for 24 hours; stuff your turkey with aromatics; add a dry rub to the outside; then cook using an oven bag. This is by far one of the juiciest and most flavorful turkeys ever! I have been making turkey this way for a few years and it’s always a hit.
Which Brookfield home plan would be your dream to host in for the upcoming holiday season? Hands down The Sterling, namely the kitchen. There’s plenty of space in the dining room, plus extra seating at the peninsula and the island. Plus, the kitchen is open to the family room and dining area so even if you are cooking you still get to interact with everyone thanks to the open layout!
Garman Homes
Karla Hamilton
What is one holiday hosting tip you’d like to share with our readers? First, I make sure the wine glasses are polished and crystal clear; and I always cook ahead and keep a well-stocked pantry and bar.
Which Garman home plan would be your dream to host in for the upcoming holiday season? The Comfort floor plan—I love Christmas decorations and the Comfort has the best place for my tree, stockings and garland on the stairs.
McNeill Burbank
Grant Do
What is one holiday hosting tip you’d like to share with our readers? My No. 1 tip to set the foundation of any great gathering includes two important things—play music and welcome guests with a drink. Music has such an effect on the overall ambiance of a soiree. Plan ahead, and choose your playlist wisely. One of my go-tos is the ‘Feel Good Dinner’ playlist on Spotify. As more people arrive and chatter rises, be cognizant of gradually raising the volume. As for drinks, treat your guests as if they were patrons at a local restaurant and offer a beverage right away. A festive drink kicks off the tone of a gathering and provides your guests with something in-hand, a conversation starter and some liquid courage! Pro tip: Have the beverage area in a central location accessible to guests with all the glasses, openers, mixers and shakers.
Which McNeill Burbank home plan would be your dream to host in for the upcoming holiday season? The Bladen is by far the perfect party home within our portfolio. The floor plan is phenomenal for entertaining anything from a small dinner party to a top-tier winter extravaganza. The house plan allows for a gathering to feel spacious yet intimate; the main living areas are all connected, but defined by casings, so guests will feel like they’re progressing from one area to another. There are also tucked away areas such as the study, mudroom and back porch that provide spaces for privacy (and gossip). A large island as well as your dedicated dining area allow for flexible options for food and beverage placement as well as seating areas in addition to the family room.
Curious about our homebuilders? Learn more about how each Wendell Falls home builder emulates our mantra of ‘different by design’—and brings vibrant, fresh and smart abodes to life here.
*Answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Wendell Falls is located just 15 miles from downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S. Explore artfully crafted new homes and townhomes from the low $300,000s – $900,000s+.