What are you doing to ring in the new year? While I always tend to stay near home for New Years, I have done a little bit of everything when it comes to celebrating. I have attended other’s blow out parties, I have had my own blow out party, I have babysat for others, I have stayed home and slept, I’ve stayed awake with my kids to watch the ball drop, the list goes on and on. This year, I believe I will be having a small, intimate gathering for a select few friends and that’s it. I’m too old to get wild, crazy and intoxicated. Okay, not too old for that (are you ever too old for anything? I don’t think so), I just simply don’t want to do that, so a nice elegant dinner with my favorite people and a bottle of champagne sounds like just about the best kind of celebration. Don’t you agree?

It will not be boring though! It is going to be an all out, fancy dinner for us because we never get to get out and do these things typically. You know how that goes, right? Busy with work, kids and everything else in life and we forget to treat ourselves to a nice evening out. So, how will I turn my everyday suburban home into an elegant dinner destination? Well, let me show you!

First, I am going to make my house look AMAZING with some gorgeous decorative pieces that still won’t cost me an arm and a leg and ones that look great, but I can toss at the end of the night. As much as I’m looking forward to the fancy celebration, I'm not looking to have to spend an entire day cleaning and laundering fancy decor pieces.. I’m thinking about these pieces from Sassafrass:

seta spun 47" x 63" table cover - our “paper” table linens look, feel and drape just like real linen — without the hassle of washing, drying and ironing! best of all — they’re disposable! and recyclable, too.

seta spun 39" table covers - ur “paper” table linens look, feel and drape just like real linen — without the hassle of washing, drying and ironing! our super-soft seta spun linens are even softer than our regular line. the pattern looks like linen with a hint of a sheen to elevate any occasion with glamour and elegance. this pattern is ideal for weddings and showers or an elegant Saturday night dinner party. best of all — they’re disposable! and recyclable, too. (I will need a second table for the party, so I will need to order both sizes)

seta spun napkins - our “paper” table linens look, feel and drape just like real linen — without the hassle of washing, drying, and ironing! best of all — they’re disposable! and recyclable, too.

For dinner, I plan to make a roast with some delicious baked bread and salad, but I do plan to serve appetizers as well. I think a nice cheese platter with various options will be a nice touch, don’t you? I’m thinking of serving them on one of these boards:

• round marble and mango wood board - our bread and cheese boards add an artisan aesthetic to your serving table. the smooth mango wood adopts a weathered patina over time and the marble stands in cool contrast to the warm texture of the wood.
• rectangular marble and mango wood board - our bread and cheese boards add an artisan aesthetic to your serving table. the smooth mango wood adopts a weathered patina over time and the marble stands in cool contrast to the warm texture of the wood.
• rectangular baselina board - this beautiful board looks terrific on your buffet or coffee table when serving light appetizers. the cool marble surface prevents your cheeses from over-softening. also use the board to serve crackers, smaller bread loaves or fruits.

As far as serving the meal goes, I plan to break out my favorite fancy dishes (the ones we were gifted for our wedding, but never actually use) and our most beautiful champagne glasses to serve the bubbly to our guests in.

For this evening celebration, the kids are going to go to grandma and grandpa’s house, where they are going to have a blast and i don't have to stress about entertaining them while putting together my fancy dinner party. Not that a party can’t be great with kids there, but fancy dinner parties and toddlers, most certainly do not go hand in hand. Who am I kidding? A typical sit-down dinners and toddlers don’t often go hand in hand. My toddler is currently trying to climb on the table while eating his lunch as a matter of fact! Bored teenagers aren’t often a top choice for party-guest either so this will be a kid-free night!