How to Decorate Podcast (Ballard Designs)

Episode 444: Holiday Throwback Special, Pt. 2 – Taryn's Hosting Tips & Tricks
Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Taryn (Ballard Designs team)
Guests: Caroline, Liz (and others from the Ballard Designs team)

Episode Overview

This festive “Holiday Throwback Special” (part 2 of a 3-part series) features Taryn’s pick: a throwback to the 2024 Holiday Hosting Special, a lively discussion among the Ballard Designs team as they swap holiday hosting stories, practical tips, favorite family traditions, and their hard-earned decorating wisdom. The episode is a mix of Thanksgiving and Christmas advice, blending nostalgia and actionable tips for making hosting less overwhelming and more joyful. With plenty of laughs, genuine stories, and “Oh, I have to try that” ideas, the conversation is brimming with holiday spirit and useful hacks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thanksgiving Hosting Rituals

[Starts ~01:47]

• Friendsgiving Memories: Liz recalls hosting legendary Friendsgivings in LA, with up to 40 guests and long banquet tables outdoors, made potluck-style.

  “I would just put it on Facebook and say, hey, if you don’t have a place to come, come over. The largest one we had was maybe like 35 or 40 people.” (D, 02:14)

• Melding Traditions: Each host brings unique traditions, especially when merging families. For Liz, that means healthier sides and salads plus her cherished family pierogi.

  “I’m going to infuse my own family traditions... we have pierogi for every holiday. I make just gobs of it.” (D, 04:10)

• Trying New Dishes vs. Traditions: Debate about whether to stick with “tried and true” recipes or mix in something new. Most land on a blend—some classic, some experimental (e.g., Caroline’s Ina Garten mashed sweet potatoes made ahead for travel).

• Regional Holiday Food: Lively talk about traditional side dishes—like green bean casserole (is it a Southern thing? Midwest? Just American?) and everyone’s favorite “bad for you” casserole: stuffing.

2. Planning & Hosting Systems

[Starts ~08:05]

• Hosting Systems:

  • Assign serving dishes in advance with labels, set up a drink station, and make a detailed prep list.
  • Caroline shares her beloved “master list” system: break down every task—cooking, décor, cleaning, even “extra toilet paper”—by the day, spreading the load pre-event.

    "Literally every single thing I need to do...then I assign it to a day so I know...what can be done ahead and what’s day-of." (B, 09:07)

• Delegation: Have the list ready so when guests ask to help, you can quickly assign something (“Check the list!”).

• Don’t Forget the Small Stuff: Even minor tasks—from adding ice to glasses to lighting bathroom candles—go on the list so nothing’s forgotten.

3. Thanksgiving Recipes & Family Dynamics

[Starts ~13:49]

• Favorite Recipes Shared:

  • Winterberry Pie (Liz): Cherry-based pie with other berries and winter spices.
  • Admission that “Pillsbury does such a fantastic job” with crust and it’s all about the filling.
  • Pumpkin pie mishaps—don’t stress, just pivot to cookies if your pie flops!

• Dividing Duties Among Siblings: Assign dishes based on each person’s strengths and past “failures” (“Don’t let her do the squash!”).

• Holiday Chaos is Part of the Fun: Even with crowded houses, not enough restrooms, and sibling chaos, everyone fondly anticipates the mayhem.

4. Transition to Christmas/Hanukkah

[Starts ~22:12]

• Timing Decorations:

  • When to decorate? Traditions range from waiting until after Thanksgiving to making it an event (“inspired by Carson Kressley,” some start right after Thanksgiving dinner).
  • Some families wait to put up the tree until a specific birthday (e.g., December 8th).
  • If you’re traveling for Thanksgiving, you might not decorate until December is already in full swing.

• Live vs. Faux Trees:

  • Some families insist on real trees (despite the chaos), others do both—live in the main room, artificial for convenience elsewhere.
  • Caroline loves “flocking” her tree for looks and longer life.

• Lights & Tree Tricks:

  • New compact Christmas lights—smaller and more plentiful bulbs—are a game-changer for tree twinkle.
  • Mix up ornament approaches (ribbon, bows, glass icicles for sparkle).

  "They have much smaller lights and like twice as many lights per inch as a regular string...my tree was more twinkly than ever." (B, 30:04)

5. Low-Effort, High-Impact Decor Tips

[Starts ~31:51]

• Tree First:

  • Focus your effort on a dazzling Christmas tree. If you do nothing else, “take your tree up a notch.”

• Less is More:

  • Pick three spots (e.g., front door wreath, main tree, maybe mantel or porch) and “nail those.”

• Pre-lit All the Things:

  • Pre-lit trees/garlands save time and pain—just plug them in. Fluffing is optional if you’re short on time.

  “If you are just...no energy, literally, you just pop it up.” (C, 33:06)

• Porch as Living Room:

  • Decorate outdoor spaces like indoor ones (tree on porch, throws on chairs).

• Wreaths in Windows:

  • Inspired by Carson Kressley, Liz is adding lots of (even faux) wreaths to interior and exterior windows.

6. Managing the Real-vs-Fake Tree Debate

[Starts ~37:10]

• Pro-Fake-Tree Arguments:

  • Up and lit in 20 minutes.
  • No stringing lights or vacuuming needles for weeks.

• Magical Real-Tree Moments:

  • The tradition of picking out a tree together is irreplaceable (“It’s like a low-commitment puppy—for one month!”).
  • Families often compromise: real in one room, fake elsewhere.

• Tree Skirt Dilemmas:

  • Tree skirts look pretty but get wrinkled and wet; tree collars (like wicker or metal) are recommended with artificial trees.

7. Mantel, Stockings, and Incremental Updates

[Starts ~41:11]

• Stocking Holder Solution:

  • The “Essential Stocking Holder” from Ballard: weighty base, safe for lots of stockings, good for marble mantels and consoles, avoids the hazards of heavy weighted holders.

    “It goes across the whole top of your mantle. No hooks, works great on marble...highly recommend.” (B, 44:05)

• Mantel Styling:

  • Use a mix of faux and fresh garlands, or even experiment with different foliage (magnolia, flocked greens, spray-painted leaves).

• Incremental Updates:

  • Each year, add one thing to your collection (a new garland, more wreaths, new stocking holders, etc).

8. Color, Wrapping, and Ornaments

[Starts ~46:50]

• Changing Color Stories:

  • Changing ribbon or wrapping paper colors can refresh your holiday décor without buying new ornaments.

• Ornament Tips:

  • Ribbon trees are great if you don’t have many ornaments (kid/pet friendly, not breakable).

• Gift Wrapping:

  • Hosts coordinate wrapping paper with their tree/theme; Ballard’s own line features some hand-painted designs by Caroline.

9. Entertaining & Using Holiday China

[Starts ~50:51]

• Holiday Dinnerware:
  • Not everyone owns a separate Christmas china set; some use inherited, “festive-looking” non-seasonal sets, or vintage dessert plates.
  • “Accent” items (cookie plates, mugs) can bring holiday spirit without overtaking valuable storage space.
  • Sentimental memories—using grandma’s china, or even quirky vintage mugs—add meaning.

10. Favorite Hacks & Final Tips

[Starts ~57:11]

• Wreath Storage:

  • Hang wreaths flat on basement walls (on nails) to keep them looking good year to year.

• Command Hooks & Fishing Line:

  • Command hooks (especially with movable arms) make for easy, damage-free garland and light hanging.
  • Use fishing line and hooks to anchor trees (especially if you have pets or kids: “Our tree fell over one year, so now we tie it to the wall.” (B, 58:06) )

• Pet Solutions:

  • Hang delicate/bird ornaments high or display separately if cats see them as toys.

• Estate Sale Gifts:

  • Shopping estate sales for unique gifts—decor, china pieces, vintage crystal—makes for memorable, sustainable presents. Use sites/apps for local listings (estatesales.net).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Hosting Sanity:

  “No task is too small to put on the list because there are always things for a party that I forget...halfway through the party, I’m like, oh gosh, I forgot to light the candle in the powder bath.” (B, 11:40)

• On Holiday Chaos:

  “It’s chaos because there’s not enough restrooms...you have to take your time slot for the shower that day, but I look forward to it, you know?” (C, 21:53)

• On Tree Debates:

  “It’s like a low-commitment puppy—just for that short time. And then we say so long.” (D, 40:14)

• On Pre-lit Trees:

  “There’s just something so great about having a tree up and lit in 20 minutes. That’s your selling point right there.” (D, 37:52)

• On The Importance of Enjoying the Process:

  “The holidays are about enjoying the process, even if it is a little chaotic.” (A, 64:13)

Segment Timestamps

• Thanksgiving traditions, rituals, and recipes: 01:47 – 22:25
• Christmas & Hanukkah decorating (timing, tree types, lights): 22:25 – 31:51
• Low-effort, high-impact decorating tips: 31:51 – 37:10
• Handling real vs. fake tree debates, tree skirts/collars: 37:10 – 42:24
• Wreaths, mantels, and stocking holders: 42:24 – 46:50
• Color, ornaments, and gift wrapping: 46:50 – 50:51
• Entertaining, holiday china, and meaningful objects: 50:51 – 57:11
• Hacks, pet tips, estate sale gifting: 57:11 – 63:32
• Closing reflections: 63:58 – End

Final Thoughts

The team’s practical advice, honest confessions, and creative tips remind us that successful holiday hosting is less about perfection and more about planning, collaborating, and enjoying both the rituals and the chaos. Whether you’re coordinating a potluck, plotting a new color scheme, wrestling with the real-vs-fake tree dilemma, or just trying to get through the season in one piece—there’s an idea here for making your space (and your sanity) a little brighter.

For More Tips

Check out Ballard Designs’ show notes for referenced recipes (Ina Garten’s sweet potatoes, cranberry margarita, winterberry pie, garlic cheese green beans) and links to their favorite holiday products.

Happy Decorating!