5 DIY Holiday Decorating Hacks to Get Your Home Ready for Last-Minute Hosting Duties

All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by Architectural Digest editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Condé Nast may earn an affiliate commission.

Photo: Courtesy of Woldy Reyes

As the eldest daughter in my family, I’ve recently embraced the role of holiday host. This new responsibility feels like juggling the roles of chef, bartender, sommelier, bed-and-breakfast owner, Martha Stewart, and Santa Claus, all while honoring family traditions and updating them in a fresh, respectful way. Needless to say that the pressure to curate a magical, Pinterest-worthy scene for the season has been exhausting, so I’ve been desperate for any and all holiday decorating hacks.

Last year, I went overboard, gathering fallen tree branches from Prospect Park to craft a ceiling centerpiece—an incredible project that consumed hours and left me forgetting dessert entirely. To avoid such mishaps this year, I turned to five experts for their secret holiday decorating hacks for effortless last-minute hosting. Keep scrolling to learn more, free of charge.

Tie Up Loose Ends With Ribbons

​​When it comes to impromptu holiday hosting, Sandeep Salter, owner of Salter House and Picture Room, has simple yet impactful advice: “Candles, bows, and paper doll chains! Lots of candles on the mantle and windowsills instantly make the space feel warm and inviting,” she says. “I hang one of our Salter House bows on the front door or, as it is right now, draped on the mantle. It only takes a moment and looks very festive.” Her go-to decorating essentials for quick and stylish holiday flair? “Ribbons, garlands or evergreen trimmings, and beeswax candles.”

AD PRO Directory designer Tara McCauley also champions the versatility of wide ribbons, noting that “they’re reusable and work just about anywhere. From adorning a front door to tying onto the back of a dining chair, a giant bow can make almost anything feel instantly festive.” This is only the beginning of bownanza…

Candles Give the Room an Instant Glow Up

For Brooklyn-based writer Lily Sullivan it’s all about setting a mood. “Taper candles everywhere,” she recommends. “My godparents had a collection of these amazing Ted Muehling candle holders that instantly brought warmth and atmosphere to a space. I take a more eclectic approach with tapers of all materials and heights. My favorite candles are the painted ones from Pierce and Ward.”

Sullivan offers a practical pro tip: “Also, always keep bubbles on hand—immediately festive.” Her other must-haves include ribbon (“lots of it”), greenery like branchy leaves, and versatile lighting. “My old boss, Kate Berry, had boxes of color-coded ephemera—it’s so inspiring and a quick decor fix,” she adds.

Biedermeier Candlesticks By Ted Muehling

$490.00, The Future Perfect

For an effortlessly elegant holiday touch, McCauley swears by the classics. “Ivory taper candles in simple brass holders create an instantly festive ambiance and never go out of style,” she insists. Also don’t forget to “make sure they’re fragrance-free—you should never put a scented candle anywhere people are eating,” she says.

For Woldy Reyes, a New York–based chef and author of In The Kusina: My Seasonal Filipino Cooking, candles are nonnegotiable for setting the scene. “The key to a great dinner party is lighting! Create a cozy vibe with soft, low lighting and a variety of candles,” he advises. “Fill the table with a mix of tea lights, tapered, and pillar candles to add romance and an ambient glow that makes everyone feel and look their best.”

Whether you favor ribbon, greenery, or a sea of glowing candles, these experts agree that thoughtful lighting and small festive touches make all the difference in creating a memorable holiday atmosphere.

The Art of Delegation

For some, asking for help feels like a last resort—especially if you’re the type who prides yourself on doing it all (hello, eldest daughters). But when it comes to holiday hosting, learning to outsource can be a game-changer. Sullivan emphasizes the importance of letting go: “Two things make a great party—the company and when the host feels relaxed. This means not biting off more than you can chew, outsourcing, and focusing on, as trite as it sounds, vibes.”

For Molly Baz, cookbook author and cofounder of Ayoh, playing to your strengths is the key to stress-free hosting. “I outsource all design and decor tasks to my husband, Willett—he’s the designer, with an impeccable eye,” she explains. “All our event design, tablescapes, etc., come from his brain. This allows me to stay in the kitchen and do what I do best: COOK.”

Sullivan also isn’t shy about admitting her hosting strategy leans heavily on outsourcing. “Okay, DIY is a stretch for me—I’m a big outsourcer,” she says. “I joke that I’ve got a guy for everything.” For her 30th birthday, Sullivan commissioned the team at Eva Joan Repair to embroider a tablecloth with the names of all her guests. “It was so special, and I still use it on my dining table,” she adds. “This is something that can easily translate to holiday hosting—small, personal details like initials on napkins can make a big impact.”

Here’s another hosting idea that Sullivan loves (and I plan to copy): “One year, my godmother commissioned an Etsy artist to draw everyone’s portrait. At each place setting, there was a chic line-drawing portrait waiting for the guest. It was such a thoughtful and stylish touch that made the evening unforgettable.”

Whether it’s enlisting a friend to help prep food, asking someone with an artistic eye to tackle the tablescape, or simply focusing your energy on what you love most about hosting, delegation ensures you can enjoy the process as much as your guests.

Consider Grazing the Table, Instead of Setting the Table

When it comes to holiday hosting, Salter believes in keeping it casual and stress-free. “It’s all about the food!” she says. “We like to host casually, and though I do enjoy table dressing, I usually give that job to the kids so I can focus on getting a good meal on the table. We tend to have friends over for a full day rather than just a dinner party, so I always have a full table of snacks, rolling meals, pies, veggies, and desserts so everyone can graze and feel full all day.”

For a more theatrical approach, Sullivan suggests adding a touch of opulence to set the tone. “I’ll always opt for an indulgent spread that lets people ease their way into the party and the meal while breaking the ice with others. We forget that not everyone is an extrovert, so a warm-up like this can help create an optimal mood,” she explains. “Holiday parties need a little extra oomph. I once had a ridiculous drink fountain, and I love a champagne tower or fondue. There’s something exciting about the theatrics.”

If you’re hosting on short notice, consider a catering hack that’s as simple as it is stylish. “Cocktail sticks are a lifesaver,” Reyes says. “It’s more about assembling than cooking! A favorite is Gilda Pintxos, a classic Basque snack made by skewering pickled green peppers, anchovies (or blue cheese for those who don’t eat anchovies), and olives. Serve them upright in a baguette for a fun, soldier-like display—it’s a bold, crowd-pleasing bite.”

When it comes to incorporating food into your decor, McCauley suggests taking a creative approach at the grocery store. “While shopping for food, check the produce aisle for décor,” she explains. “A silver bowl full of citrus is not only beautiful but also edible! I’ve even used whole dragonfruits as table décor among candles and flowers. I got the idea at a friend’s winter wedding, where the florist included broken pomegranates and decadent hunks of Parmesan in the arrangements.”

Reyes, agrees, advocating for the natural beauty of items found in the produce aisle. “I’d love to see more fruits and vegetables foraged from the farmer’s market used as holiday decorations and incorporated into the dishes served to guests. I’d like to see less artificial decor overall,” he says.

For an extra festive touch, Salter loves a simple DIY like making wreaths. “I’ll pick up a couple of bundles of willow branches from the bodega across the street, along with flowers and evergreen trimmings that dry well,” she says. “Last year, I made extra willow rings so our guests could make their own wreaths with their kids when they came over—it was such a sweet activity.”

From grazing boards to edible decor and creative DIYs, these expert tips ensure your holiday hosting will be as warm and inviting as the season itself.

Focus on Your Guests

For Baz, hosting begins the moment guests walk through the door. “Make sure there are drinks in the hands of your guests at all times. Greet people at the door and immediately ask them what you can offer from the bar. There is truly nothing more hospitable and generous of heart than making your guests feel like their needs are your number one priority, and the best way to do that is to greet them with a drink.” Reyes fully agrees, adding that you want to “be sure to keep everyone’s cup filled with drinks!”

Baz also recommends adding an interactive element to the gathering. “The best way to get people jazzed at a holiday gathering is to host some kind of activity that fuels interaction. We love a good game of white elephant—hits every time.” Lastly, don’t forget the parting gift! Baz encourages sending your guests home with a little something special. “People love presents,” she concludes.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest