Rip & Tan

Weekly inspiration for thoughtful living.

Jenni's Tips for Celebrating the Holidays at Home

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.author_on_date_html

Entertaining

Jenni’s Tips for Celebrating the Holidays at Home

December 14, 2020

Jenni Kayne with her family sitting in the living room smiling.
Shop the story

Holiday hosting may be on hold this year, but we’re still choosing to embrace the host mentality when it comes to outfitting our spaces with all things festive and merry. Because while scents of pine and fireside scenes won’t necessarily travel through your computer screen, there’s plenty of power in taking time for the thoughtful details. We asked our resident expert Jenni to shed some light on what she does to get into the holiday hosting mindset. Turn on the winter melodies, focus on subtle winter accents, and think beyond the modes of décor—let’s make this a holiday to remember.

1. Cue up the seasonal playlist and fill the speakers with holiday music

There’s no easier step to making your home feel like the holiday hub than putting on your favorite holiday playlist. Whether it’s Christmas classics or the songs that give you that winter feeling, you’re sure to get even the most reluctant loved ones in a relaxed wintertime mood.

A woman with wavy hair smiles while decorating clear ornaments with greenery at a wooden table, perfect for holiday hosting. A brick fireplace with pinecones and green branches is in the background.
A rustic table setting with tan plates, cups, and knotted cloth napkins—perfect for holiday hosting—accented by greenery, pinecones, and dried botanicals as a centerpiece for a natural yet elegant look.

2. From tablescapes to entryway spaces, bring in holiday greenery to elevate each space

Pine cones and needles (or any dark, lush greenery you can find outdoors) make any space feel holiday ready. Place it on any surface that needs a little extra love for a celebrated dose of seasonal sensibility.

Shop the Story

{"id"=>3204100783, "type"=>"products", "background"=>"white", "products"=>[{"id"=>87728275, "type"=>"product", "sku"=>"40800"}, {"id"=>499526469, "type"=>"product", "sku"=>"42902"}, {"id"=>1007390332, "type"=>"product", "sku"=>"39335"}]}

3. Stay warm with a toast over tea or hot toddys

Whether you’re tuning in for another Zoom party or are cozying up on our couch solo, we highly recommend mixing up batches of warm, seasonal drinks for a touch of celebration without any sort of fuss.

A woman with brown hair tied back, wearing a black sweater and silver necklace, stands indoors smiling while folding a light-colored cloth—ready for holiday hosting. Green branches and a wooden table are visible nearby.

Shop the Story

{"id"=>3392543749, "type"=>"products", "background"=>"white", "products"=>[{"id"=>3723015005, "type"=>"product", "sku"=>"42536"}, {"id"=>4262695016, "type"=>"product", "sku"=>"44670"}, {"id"=>2262937962, "type"=>"product", "sku"=>"34597"}]}
A cozy living room scene perfect for holiday hosting, featuring a beige armchair draped with a black, white, and gray color-blocked blanket beside a round wooden side table holding a white lamp, glass candle, and small dried flower arrangement.Alpaca Colorblock Throw, Oatmeal Stripe, $350

4. Layer sheepskins and blankets across ottomans and chairs

Create a cozy feel in every room with blankets on the feet of beds, stacked in baskets, and styled on the couch. Give your extra chairs a touch of warmth with a sheepskin layered across the seat or back. After all, nothing says “make yourself at home” like a comfort-first classic.

jenni-kayne-holiday-hosting-tips6

Shop the Story

{"id"=>2447213879, "type"=>"products", "background"=>"white", "products"=>[{"id"=>1620288573, "type"=>"product", "sku"=>"46005"}, {"id"=>2692908072, "type"=>"product", "sku"=>"39207"}, {"id"=>1560840354, "type"=>"product", "sku"=>"41764"}]}

5. Burn wintery or woodsy candles to give your home a seasonal feel

Bringing the outdoors in is our favorite way to connect with nature during the holiday season. Woodsy, ashy scents like cedar and ash bring the feeling of pine trees and roaring fires to even the warmest of locations.

A small lit candle in a light-colored ceramic holder sits on top of stacked books on a wooden surface, creating a cozy holiday hosting atmosphere with delicate flowers and greenery in the background.

Shop the Story

{"id"=>763196211, "type"=>"products", "background"=>"white", "products"=>[{"id"=>3593959714, "type"=>"product", "sku"=>"41747"}, {"id"=>2376776609, "type"=>"product", "sku"=>"39327"}, {"id"=>1867944985, "type"=>"product", "sku"=>"39347"}]}
A cozy living room perfect for holiday hosting, with stacked firewood beside a white brick fireplace, minimal wall art above the mantel, a lamp on a wooden console, and a patterned rug on a wooden floor.

6. Keep things cozy with homemade fire starters and a healthy stockpile of wood

Our favorite place for special holiday moments is around a roaring fire. Spruce your mantle up with seasonal decorations like stockings and greenery, and keep guests (read: yourself) comfortable with easy access to wood and a quick solution for starting fires. Sit back, relax, and let the memories make themselves.

Photos by Angi Welsch