Style & Decor Blog

As you read on Style Sleuth back in October, Steven and Chris are back – but before they get back into the routine of their daily show (which begins on Monday, January 4, 2010), they’re hosting a faboosh festive special.

Deck The Halls With Steven & Chris is set to air on CBC on Thursday, December 10 at 8PM, and pulls together some of the country’s biggest names – George Stroumboulopoulos, Jully Black and the divine DT herself… Debbie Travis!!! YAY! – to share in the celebrations.

With Steven and Chris playing host for this special, I only thought it fair that they share some of their top entertaining tips with us. Here goes!

Steven & Chris’s Holiday Entertaining Tips

1.  Choose your holiday theme colours and adopt them for the season. Go from head to toe - everything from the tree to the giftwrapping in the same palette will give you that professional look. Don’t forget to look for things you already have to incorporate into your holiday decor - a silver teapot, some books, even your existing plates - the possibilities are endless!

2. Simple centrepieces can be made using everyday grocery store items. From beautiful pears in green or red, green grapes, even clementines - you can mix them with inexpensive greenery from the floral section of your supermarket (lemon leaves, eucalyptus) for an elegant and natural feel for your table.

3. Save your scraps of ribbon from giftwrapping, even if they’re only four inches long. These can be used to make a ribbon chain - an elegant and fun version of this childhood tradition can be wonderful for trimming the tree.

4. This year, why not try and avoid the bloated feeling you get after Christmas dinner? Try serving a salad in between the starter and main course. It cleanses the palate and gives you a break so you don’t feel as if you’re continuously eating and eating.

5. It can be frustrating to slave over a hot stove all day, just to see a fabulous meal devoured in 10 minutes. Why not slow it down by playing a party game? Place a Trivial Pursuit card under each person’s plate and take turns reading questions to the table.

Fun ideas! Thanks guys!

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When I was speaking with Steven and Chris yesterday, we somehow got on the topic of spring cleaning (I’m a master at going off on tangents!), and I asked the guys specifically about their strategy for a spring freshen-up. Here’s their recipe for success:

Chris: “Get rid of things that are blocking your energy. If there’s something in your home that doesn’t make you smile, and you don’t actually need it, let it go.”

Steven: “We recently had Peter Walsh — the king of de-cluttering — as a guest on our show. We learned so much about how physical clutter in your house can lead to a kind of “mental clutter” in your brain — the two go hand in hand.”

Chris: “I think it’s time for ‘less is more’, and that’s not as simple as having a modern, minimalist home; it’s about paring down. If you’re not using it, lose it.”

And there you have it! Make it your spring cleaning mantra!

So sad… I honestly really enjoyed their show, and it will be missed. The CBC is careful to say that Steven & Chris is on “indefinite hiatus” rather than a cancellation (which is what’s been announced for its other lifestyle show, Fashion File) which leaves a bit of hope. I’m interviewing them tomorrow to get the inside scoop. Read the CBC’s full story here.