The arrival of the holidays usually triggers an explosion of over-the-top decorations, garish gift wrap, and antiquated recipes. We fall into that group of people who wants to avoid those clichés entirely, especially when it comes to hosting a party.

But what does an untraditional holiday gathering even look like? To show you, we borrowed a stately home in Westport, Connecticut, for a weekend to prepare a holiday gathering that delivers seasonal spirit in a tasteful way. Taking advantage of the home's charming curb appeal, rustic palette, and abundance of entertaining spaces, we created an unforgettable getaway. Recreate your own with the tips below.

The beautiful Connecticut home, situated in Westport, is currently on the market withSotheby's International Realty.

               GIVE A WARM WELCOME

Your guests may be weary from their travels, but the second they step foot on the property, they’ll be transported to a magical winter wonderland.

Festive touches on the exterior set the tone for your impeccably planned weekend. You won’t see any flashing Christmas lights or inflatable Santas here—instead, tasteful garlands, potted plants, and a natural wreath accent the entry and guarantee that your guests will get a jolt of that perfect woodsy smell on their way inside.

Electric candles help light the way, while metallic ornaments and ribbons in neutral hues (avoid red, green or silver) placed amid the greenery are a sleek, stylish detail.

MAKE A MODERN MENU

When setting the table for dinner, continue the nature-inspired theme with handwoven linens, wood platters, and an artful array of greenery. Organic shapes and neutral colors lend everything a warm, personal touch, while matte-gold flatware adds an appropriate dose of festivity. Instead of elaborate centerpieces, a few one-of-a-kind candlesticks make the type of subtle statement you’re after.

For the menu, think fresh and modern—you won’t see any fruit cakes or hams at this party! Platters of charcuterie, cheese, nuts, fruit, and bread sourced from local purveyors hit just the right notes for the beginning of the meal. Encourage guests to build their own plates and enjoy a glass of red by the fire. You’ll want to keep the flames alive all night, so make sure to keep extra logs at the ready.

In lieu of traditional place settings that get cast aside immediately, why not try something that guests can actually use? Bundles of bay leaf, sage, seeded eucalyptus, and white pine add a lovely accent to every plate. Place the bundles on top of handmade ceramic plates and use a gift tag as a name card to complete this wholly-personal table arrangement.

           GET COZY AND COMPETITIVE

The gathering will achieve peak coziness in the living room. A sophisticated palette of neutral tones, natural materials, and uber-soft textiles denotes that this holiday party is anything but traditional.

The earthy decor scheme plays off the house’s beautiful stone and wood details. More foliage—occasionally decorated with charming bird ornaments and placed in chic brass vases—brings a fresh feeling to every room. Leather, velvet, and linen pillows, a selection of blankets, and a roaring fire create a setting that instantly conjures the Danish concept of hygge.

Encourage guests to gather ‘round the hearth for a bit of healthy competition. Keep cards, dice, and chess at the ready for group games and one-on-one breakout sessions. A record player can pipe out indie hits or folksy tunes all weekend long. Steaming hot mugs of spiced apple cider are the perfect complement to the conversation and camaraderie that extends into the wee hours of the night.

     GATHER IN THE KITCHEN FOR COOKIES

LEAVE A FINISHING TOUCH

After a memorable day filled with eating, drinking, laughing, and bonding, it’s time for guests to retire. Garland decorated with organic textured ribbon leads the way up to the bedrooms. A striking open staircase is the perfect backdrop for this hint of seasonal foliage, which brings the winter spirit to every corner of the house.

Go above and beyond as a host by leaving fur-lined slippers and leather baskets filled with cashmere blankets along the way upstairs. This extra step will leave your company feeling very well taken care of (and very luxurious, too). It’s the perfect finishing touch to a gathering that may just become a new holiday tradition.