A Cozy Way to Entertain for the Holidays

Entertaining expert, journalist and blogger Candie Anderson shows you how to create a cozy holiday party with a festive, easy and effortless holiday console table that you can recreate.

It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us. Thankfully, the weather has been beautiful here in Northern California, and we’re still able to spend a lot of time outdoors. I’ve been making the most of it with evenings by the fire pit and simple desserts that everyone loves. With a few favorite pieces from Wayfair, I put together a space that feels relaxed, festive, and easy to enjoy.

Wayfair makes it simple to get your home ready for the holidays, and I am so excited to partner with them once again! They offer an incredible selection of furniture, decor, entertaining essentials, and cookware, and they also offer free shipping on most orders, which is fantastic, especially when you’re entertaining guests or hosting gatherings. I love that everything arrives quickly and that I can find reliable pieces that work for both everyday life and holiday entertaining – I use my white Adirondack chairs and KitchenAid stand mixer throughout the year!

Whether you’re setting up an outdoor fire pit area, baking with family, or adding a few seasonal touches to your home, these are some of the Wayfair finds that helped me create a cozy, welcoming space this year.

Evenings by the Fire Pit

Entertaining expert, Candie Anderson shows you how to adorn your white Adirondack chairs with plaid pillows and faux fur throw blankets for your holiday party.

I’ve always believed comfort comes first when entertaining. The Marciano foldable Adirondack chairs are a favorite because they’re sturdy, comfortable, and easy to move or store (they’re also available in a multitude of colors!). The white finish still looks great after a full year of use! I featured a traditional red plaid cotton throw pillow on each chair and draped a soft faux fur throw blanket over one for extra warmth as the nights get cooler.

Entertaining expert, Candie Anderson shares her white adirondack chair adorned with a red plaid throw pillow and faux fur throw blanket for the holidays.

The smokeless fire pit has been one of the best investments I’ve made. It’s simple to use, gives off great heat, and is ideal for year-round use. Another great thing about this phenomenal smokeless fire pit is that you can cook with it! It’s become our go-to spot for cocoa, s’mores, relaxing, and long conversations at the end of the day.

Entertaining expert, Candie Anderson shares her beautiful smokeless fire pit and foldable white Adirondack chairs that are perfect for the holidays!

Between the chairs, I used a small white accent table, which is ideal for mugs and snacks. I topped it with a mini Christmas tree in a white terracotta pot. I love how the mix of textures – wood, ceramic, plaid, and greenery makes the space feel festive without much effort.

Entertaining expert, Candie Anderson added a mini Christmas tree in a white terracotta planter. It looks great on this white outdoor accent table.

I also brought out a scoop basket and placed an extra faux fur blanket inside (the basket) so it’s easy to grab when the temperature drops. Baskets are one of those simple pieces that make a space feel thoughtful while keeping everything practical.

Entertaining expert, Candie Anderson shows you how to organize your throw blankets like her faux fur blanket shown in a wicker scoop basket for holiday gatherings.

A Holiday Dessert Console

Entertaining expert, journalist and blogger Candie Anderson of candieanderson.com shows how to decorate a console table for a holiday party.

Just steps away from the fire pit, I turned a console table into a dessert area. I skipped a traditional tablecloth and used a green textured throw blanket as a runner instead. It adds color, texture, and a casual feel that works perfectly outdoors.

Entertaining expert, Candie Anderson adorns her holiday console table with Spode Christmas Tree Melamine Salad Plates.

For serving, I used Spode Christmas Tree salad and dessert plates. They’re melamine, which makes them durable for outdoor use, and the classic design instantly adds a holiday touch. I baked a chocolate cake in the Nordic Ware Forest Tree Christmas cake pan and dusted it with powdered sugar, so the trees have a snow-capped look! I set the cake on a clear glass cake stand with gold detailing, which catches the light beautifully and is perfect for Christmas hosting!

Entertaining expert, Candie Anderson of candieanderson.com shares her beautiful holiday Christmas tree cake that was made using her Nordic Ware Forest Bundt Cake pan. It's the perfect holiday party cake.

Next to it, I placed a white cake stand with homemade cinnamon rolls. The two different heights (and different shades) make the table look full and festive without needing much else.

Entertaining expert, Candie Anderson shares her homemade cinnamon rolls on a white cake stand on a holiday console table.

To tie everything together, I added a red mixed berry and pine garland across the top and arranged red roses with holly and pine branches from our garden in a simple ceramic vase. Wayfair has so many great vase options, from neutral stoneware to glossy white finishes, so it’s easy to find one that fits your style.

Entertaining expert, Candie Anderson shares her beautiful red roses, holly and pine branches and eucalyptus in a ceramic vase on her holiday party console table.

On the bottom shelf, I kept it simple and functional. I stacked a few clear hobnail glasses, set out white mugs, and added a small basket filled with pinecones for a natural element. A pair of charming black lanterns with LED candles brings a soft glow once the sun goes down. And because I’m such a huge fan of the classic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation movie, I included a Marty Moose glass mug to give my holiday console table that Griswold charm we all know and love!

Entertaining expert, journalist, blogger and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation fan Candie Anderson shares her Marty Moose glass mug on her holiday party console table.

Behind the dessert table, our trellis and rose bushes add natural charm. This is my favorite spot for hosting family and friends, and the best part is it is beautiful whether it’s in full bloom in the spring or in the fall and winter when there aren’t as many roses in bloom!

The Flocked Tree

Entertaining expert, Candie Anderson uses her Frasier Hill flocked Christmas tree as a backdrop at her holiday party.

Nothing says “holiday” like a classic Christmas tree, and the Fraser Hill Farm unlit flocked mountain pine tree instantly creates that wintry feel — even here in Northern California. I bought it over four years ago, and it’s still in pristine condition! I love that it’s unlit because I can choose the lights and change the look each year. The branches have a beautiful snowy texture that complements every holiday design style perfectly. It comes in both 7.5-foot and 9-foot sizes, so you can pick one that fits your space.

Holiday Baking Favorites

Entertaining expert, Candie Anderson shares her white Kitchen Aid stand mixer which is perfect for holiday baking and hosting season!

Most of my favorite holiday moments happen in the kitchen. My KitchenAid stand mixer is a staple – I use it for everything from mixing cake batter to making marshmallows, ice cream, cookies, and more. The All-Clad saucepan I used for making cinnamon rolls is also great for caramel sauce or glaze because it heats evenly, and it’s easy to clean. I baked both desserts in my LG induction stove, which has consistent temperature control and makes baking a lot more reliable.

Wayfair carries all three, and the fact that they ship free and fast makes it easy to get what you need in time for the holidays. They’ll also make great gifts for family, friends, or yourself!

Easy Ways to Make It Feel Special

Entertaining expert, Candie Anderson shares her gorgeous white Adirondack chairs adorned with red plaid throw pillows and faux fur throw blankets for the holidays.

If you’re entertaining this season, a few thoughtful pieces can make all the difference. Comfortable chairs, a durable fire pit, and a table for treats go a long way toward creating a space people actually want to spend time in. The best part? Everything here is from Wayfair and ships free, so you can have it all delivered straight to your door.

Shop the Look

Entertaining expert, Candie Anderson of candieanderson.com and her dog Griffey (a Weimaraner) show you how to throw a holiday party with white foldable Adirondack chairs, plaid throw pillows, faux fur throw blankets, delicious food and the perfect holiday console table!

Adirondack Chairs in White (foldable)

Clairmont Plaid Cotton Throw Pillows

Faux Fur Throw Blanket

Smokeless Fire Pit

White Accent Table

White Terracotta Pot

Mini Christmas Tree Options

Green Textured Throw Blanket (used as a runner)

Spode Christmas Tree Salad and Dessert Plates

Nordic Ware Forest Tree Christmas Cake Pan

Clear Glass Cake Stand with Gold Detailing

White Cake Stand Options

Red Mixed Berry and Pine Garland

Black Decorative Lanterns with LED Candles

Hobnail Glasses

White Mugs

Small Basket (with Pinecones)

Scoop Basket

Marty Moose Glass Mug

Ceramic Vases Selection

Fraser Hill Farm Unlit Flocked Mountain Pine Tree

KitchenAid Stand Mixer

Console Table

All-Clad Saucepan

LG Induction Stove

Disclaimer: Thank you to Wayfair for partnering with me on this post. Opinions are my own as always!


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