Martha Stewart has never simply thrown a party. She orchestrates moments. Not that she needs to prove anything, but this year she’s doing it anyway with the re-release of Entertaining, her first (and arguably most iconic) book from 1982. It’s the one that built the empire, still sells for over $500 on eBay, and remains, four decades later, the definitive gospel of good taste.
To celebrate, Martha hosted a signing at Terrain in Westport, Connecticut – a store that’s already whimsical, made even more so under her direction. I was there – lucky enough to meet her – and was still floating from our brief exchange when, amidst the glittering lights and spiked chai lattes that circulated like Hallmark props, I spotted the Christmas decor she’d curated for the event. It flittered with gold garlands, pearls, and candy stripes. And obviously, it was perfect.
Even if we studied Entertaining like scripture, the odds of pulling off a Martha-level holiday are… optimistic. So I took notes – which, naturally, I’m passing on to you.
Come December, when your friends fawn over your miniature Christmas tree – dripping in pearls and probably styled better than the guest list – you'll be able to smile and say, thank you, Martha picked it. They’ll know the one.
Ahead, nine handpicked favorites from her Terrain edit that bring a little Martha magic home.
You’ve probably got a cake stand, but what about all those cookies you’ll surely be stress-baking? A plate could do, but this candy cane–striped glass pedestal feels infinitely more elevated.
If pearls are timeless on you, they’re just as chic on the tree. This petite, star-topped number stands a stately nine inches tall – perfect for whimsifying a dining table, mantle, or, as Martha would surely say, a ‘tiny table’ (the decorator’s not-so-secret weapon of the season).
The key to a great holiday arrangement is balance, mixing the fresh with the faux. And if you are going faux, it should either fool the eye completely or lean so obviously artificial that it feels intentional. This golden leaf falls firmly into the latter camp – essentially, what winter foliage wishes it looked like.
This vase looks like a log but reads like luxury. A nod to the Renaissance-era faux bois technique, it mimics the grain of wood in smooth ivory-glazed stoneware. At just four and a half inches across, it’s best paired with full, festive branches.
You’ll have pine needles aplenty, so why not swap in some shine? A gleaming garland catches the light in all the right ways, whether it’s draped over a tree, looped along a mantle, or framing a mirror like jewelry. Juxtapose sleek with sweet by tacking on a few velvet bows.
A quick aside on tree fashion: if yours isn’t wearing a Christmas tree skirt or collar this year, it’s woefully underdressed. Certainly not with this woven rattan collar – a textured heirloom-in-the-making with herringbone detailing that gives even a modest fir a moment.
We put candles in candlesticks or votives, but why not a trough? The look is a charming, rustic counterpoint to the more opulent candelabra. It grounds the glitter and makes the rest of your holiday decor feel like it’s lived a little. Fill it with your favorite tapers – ideally in a fun color or pattern, à la Martha.
One thing about Martha: she doesn’t chase Christmas decor trends. She either sets them, or absolutely perfects them – exhibit A being this rattan-rendered bell, enveloped in strings of warm LED light. Hang it over a door or let it illuminate an awkward corner.
The more trees, the merrier. Martha’s spruce-heavy edit is meant to be clustered, forming a miniature, glittering forest fit to fill the top of a credenza. Even among the beads and pearls, this petite silvery showstopper stands out, catching the light (and everyone’s attention) just so.
You've got the ingredients, and now you can finally brush up on the blueprint, too. Here's everything you need to know about Entertaining – re-released just in time for your Christmas culinary ambitions.
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