It’s official! The holiday season is in full swing! Christmas time is very exciting from decorating your home to hosting a holiday dinner party.

But when it comes to holiday parties, knowing where and how to start can be challenging and sometimes intimidating. Thankfully, there are resources available to help you in your hour of need. Pizzazzerie is the premier online resource for all your entertaining needs.

Recently, Courtney Dial, editor and founder, styled a holiday table scape with moxii products. The beautiful table looked like a winter wonderland! As always, we were inspired and impressed with her styling expertise; so, we thought we would ask her a few questions to get you started in your holiday party quest.

Q: When did you first start Pizzazzerie? and what was your inspiration to start it?

A: I started Pizzazzerie in March of 2010 as a blog. It’s grown from a blog to a larger site with services, etc. My inspiration to start it was from my love of all things creative. I wanted to have a place to share my own love for parties and entertaining. I also love websites, and other computer type things so it was a match made in heaven to run a website. It’s a good balance between online, business type work and creative, crafty “work” too!

Q: What is the main goal that you want to accomplish with Pizzazzerie?

A: I want Pizzazzerie to be the guide for entertaining inspiration on the web. We’re not just children’s parties or just wedding, but we’re really a place for anyone to come and browse ideas for whatever type of entertaining they are hoping to do We also hope to help people realize that it’s not intimidating to host a fabulous dinner party or whimsical birthday party with just a few tips and tricks! Anyone can be a fabulous hostess with the mostess!

Q: Where do you find your inspiration when it comes to the themes of the parties? What kind of event is your favorite to design?

A: My inspiration comes from all over. Sometimes I just “dream” things up when I’m sitting around, but most often, it comes from a fabulous piece of fabric, walking by a darling storefront, a certain color combo I love, a theme such as “Old Hollywood”, or by browsing magazines and books (I could spend hours in a bookstore).

My favorite event to design is a dinner party. It’s classic and can be twisted so many ways for new looks and designs. I also love a traditional place setting. Though I love “dessert tables” and “buffets,” the dinner table design allows that place setting which is something I love. I own *too many* dishes for that reason.

Q: What advice can you give those who don’t know where to start when planning a dinner party?

A: When starting to plan a dinner party, always pick some sort of “theme” whether it’s something general like “birthday” or even just a color you like. Use that as you shop around and build your table. For example, if silver is the color you have in mind, then start with silver chargers. Simple white dinner plates atop silver chargers make a beautiful match. Print place cards and frame in small 3×4 silver frames. Use candles when looking for an inexpensive yet elegant touch to a table. Out of college, I invested in a number of nice, crystal candlesticks, and I’ve never regretted it. I use them almost weekly!

Q: What are your tips for planning the perfect holiday dinner party?

A: For holidays, I love decorating with greenery! A simple dinner party can be made fabulously festive with touches of greenery and holly berries down the center of the table (as a “runner”). A few glittered trees set atop candlesticks (for height) down the center of the table amidst tapered candles makes for a glowing ambiance. Send guests home with a packaged favor bag of peppermint hot cocoa wrapped with a festive bow.

Q: What are some of your favorite holiday gifts this year from your gift guides?

A: My favorite are the white cake stands from Martha Stewart. They’re square which is a unique look and the white color adds such a crisp, clean element. Another great thing about them being white is that you can really use them anytime throughout the year! I also love the Posh Paperie yearly calendar. I have one on my desk now and the whimsical shape is very cute.

Q: You recently featured moxii on your website, what is your favorite moxii product?

A: I love moxii for so many fabulous home decor and entertaining products. It’s so hard to pick just one favorite. I adore the birdcage card holder though, and it has a prime spot in my office. I use the clothespins to hold up sweet notes, pictures, and other memorabilia. I’ve also used it in several party designs! It’s great.

moxii holiday shoot-  photography by Kristen Steele Photography