Thanksgiving decor: Tips for planning the perfect holiday party

More decorating tips
Looking for more ways to bring a harvest-inspired fall look to your interior? Work in some of these Nik-approved accessories:
• Candles – pillars especially!
• Cozy throw blankets and pillows – drape or toss them on sofas and armchairs
• Bowls of dried fruit and nuts (and, for parties, green and black olives)
• A bowl of apples on the sideboard or kitchen counter
• A TASSIMO hot-beverage system on the kitchen counter (It’s a quick and easy, no-fuss solution for making hot specialty drinks when guests are over, says Nik.)
• In the bath and powder room, cinnamon or spice-scented soaps, as well as linens with harvest or fall details
• Petite floral arrangements utilizing leaves, herbs, sprigs or evergreens or late-season blooms

Music tips
Sure, you may want to blast Radiohead (or perhaps Puccini). But, you have a mixed guest list, right? For pleasant but unobtrusive dinner music, try Nik’s go-to CD lineup: “The number one essential is Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook. Number two, more upbeat and actually quite hip is Cafe Del Mar - Volume Cinco. My last choice is actually two choices and it's a toss-up: Koop Islands by Koop and Hang On Little Tomato by Pink Martini. Both are somewhat vocal heavy, but both sets of artists are wonderful to listen to,” says Nik.

Great hostess gifts under $30
Heading to someone else’s Thanksgiving dinner? Offer nice hostess gifts and you’re all but guaranteed a spot on next year’s guest list!

Try The Bay for Brian Gluckstein's linen napkins ($25 for a four-piece set), Pottery Barn for novelty tableware like a ceramic pumpkin salt-and-pepper set ($28), or Williams-Sonoma for their trademark seasonal kitchen towels (under $20 each).

Or, do as Nik does and bake a pie – from scratch!

For more amazing fall/winter decorating tips
Want even more decorating and entertaining tips? See Nik Manojlovich live as he shares the stage with HGTV superstar Sarah Richardson at a free, interactive presentation hosted by Tassimo on Saturday, November 7, 2009 in Toronto.

Register online for your chance to snag tickets (and a free Tassimo hot beverage system)! Can’t make it to Toronto? Catch Nik and Sarah’s holiday entertaining tips online in a live broadcast. Text in your questions and get their answers in real-time!

Read more in Food & Entertaining and Party Planner