Just last night, we threw a cocktail party, so styling for parties is on my mind right now.  Believe it or not, I’m not a big fan of decorating for the holidays.  I don’t like clutter, so decorating with extra stuff around the house doesn’t get me excited to say the least.  But as I worked methodically to get our house ready, I took special note of the little things that make a big difference.
First, use real plants around the house.  Put these on the table or on the mantle. It’s a subtle nod to the holidays, but can really be used year round.

I love tiny pots with rosemary or French thyme. It only takes a few minutes to transplant small herbs into these cheap pots, but they make all the difference in your home decor.
Second, light some candles.  Tea lights are my favorite.  It adds to the ambiance.  If you have a fireplace, light it up if it won’t make it too warm.
Finally, use interesting containers and serving dishes. Old rustic soda boxes can make the best holders for your drinks or food items.
Decorating for holiday parties doesn’t have to be a big deal.  Just add real plants, tea lights, and interesting containers to make yours stand out from the rest.