Checklist for Holiday Entertaining

The holidays can be stressful enough and then some have the added stress of entertaining. I don't know how some people do it! So here is a quick checklist of things you might have overlooked in your holiday party planning:

Candles - A simple decoration that sets the mood and makes people feel warm and welcome

Cocktail Napkins - Good etiquette and adds a festive touch

Tablecloths - Check to see if there are any of last year's stains and if it needs to be ironed.

Serving Pieces - Look over your menu and make sure you have the serving pieces for each dish

Guest Towels - More than three linen or terry cloth ones or plenty of disposable guest towels

Napkin Rings - This is a festive touch that will liven up your table

Stemware - Make sure they are clean and that you have plenty. A good substitute for crystal during parties are the GoVino stemless wine glasses - unbreakable and meant to go in the dishwasher.

Remember, this is the time for joy and fun. Now is the time to forgive and be celebratory. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Beaujolias Nouveau Sallie home Party: Barcelona in Clayton, Riveting Notes, Grainger McKoy, and Bella Cucina

"We had a gathering at Sallie home for the opening of Beaujolias Nouveau, November 18th, 2010. French music squeezed on an accordion, from the wandering musician wearing a royal satin poet's shirt, baret and red scarf, set the atmosphere for the night as red wine poured into our GoVino re-usable, stemless wine glasses - which become the best seller of the night!

Barcelona, a tappas restaurant found off of Bemiston Road in Clayton, Missouri,known for their small plates of unusual foods, came with really tasty chicken drummies coq au vin, spearing a bed of mashed potatoes. These drummies were really superb with the fresh red wine.

Accompanying Barcelona's food was Bella Cucina, a new food line I brought in for those of us who need ever ready hors d'oeuvres in the pantry. Just add a little dab of bottled Bella Cucina to on-hand hand pastry tarts of phyllo dough in the freezer to serve to the most discriminate.

The food and music were delicious, but our guests of honor stole the spotlight. Guests were treated to a show of SLU law school's and Riveting Images'Deborah Herndon's juried photographs of French Countryside doors. From South Carolina, Grainger McKoy Jr., the famous sculptor's son, showed his collection of mallard feathers, bobwhite quail, and wood duck jewelry in sterling and gold. He brought the most fascinating piece, the mallard foot stem sterling goblet. Over all it was a wonderful night of entertaining for my friends and customers (who if they weren't before, I now consider friends). Thank you to all that came!"
-Sallie Kramer
Owner of Sallie home

Top 10 Gifts in 2010 from Sallie home

Gift giving can be hard to do, but you are sure to win someone over with one of these Christmas gift ideas:

1. Quail Cufflinks by Grainger McKoy. These are the perfect gift for the hard-to-buy-for hunter! They are a best seller for Grainger McKoy's jewelry line for men and women.

2. Lego architectural gems by Brick Structures. For the architect lover in your life. Pick from an array of significant architectural structures in America, like the Space Needle in Seattle and build your own replica out of Legos. For ages 12 and up.

3. Steuben Glass Holiday Trees. At Steuben Glass, luxury is in the details, and these little trees are packed with luxury! This new collection of miniature-trees will be the perfect touch on your book shelf, holiday table, or mantle for years to come!

4. Tic-Tac-Toe. Who doesn't love a game of tic-tac-toe? In this grown-up version, the board is made of varnished cherry wood and aged bronze. The 'X's and 'O's are hand-blown, over-sized marbles in black and white. So grab your burgundy and light your cigar, because it's game-on!

5. Wisteria Bud-Vase. Hand-made and hand-etched. This beautiful bud vase is from the popular William Yeoward Country collection and is just stunning!

6. Laced Cuffed Socks. Delicate lace for a stylish feminine charm. Dress up any outfit with these lace socks. A gift that will bring back memories of your younger years.

7.Blah Blah Dolls. Irresistibly soft and cuddly. Contemporary dolls, yet they feel like old friends. Collect them all!

8. Flights of Fancy. These tiny 2.5" butterflies will liven up any table setting. The hand-painted, Anna Weatherley quality makes this a thoughtful and precious gift.

9. Blossom Bowl by Juliska. This 6" bowl is as wonderful as a flower. A great accent bowl for berries, condiments, and candies. Stacks beautifully with the 5" and 4" blossom bowls.

10. St. Moritz Candle. It smells like Christmas! Ina beautiful, limited-edition red-glass, this luxe scented candle will warm up your winter!

If don't think these ideas will work for someone in your life and you need more gift ideas for that hard-to-buy-for person, let us know, and we'll put our brain to work!

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