Today we continue Stagetecture’s feature ‘Olioboard Inspiration‘. Before you were inspired by – ‘Creative Christmas Outdoor Lighting Ideas’ from Jonn Nuter. Today, I feature Nora Noorsirrat who is a member of the the Facebook Olioboard Fan Room group and she helps celebrate all of the glorious international celebrations to bring in the holiday with family and friends.

To see all the past Stagetecture’s Olioboard Inspiration members on Pinterest click here.

Olioboard Inspiration #57

‘International Holiday Celebrations’ – Nora Noorsirrat

The holiday season is here and it is the time when family and friends travel home for the holidays to be with their loved ones. However, if you are not going home for the holidays due to work why not host an international holiday celebration instead with your international friends and colleagues at your home or the office.

International Holiday Celebrations

Decoration Ideas

Hosting an international holiday celebration is fun but a lot of attention has to be given towards your guests’ culture and religious background. Choose neutral and non-religious items like flags from each country or colors to symbolize the country. Use symbolic colors like blue and red for USA, green for Ireland and red for China. Use flowers and plants that you can identify their country of origin for example, bamboo and orchids are from Asia while grapes and tulips are from Europe.

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Go Casual

Traditionally, friends and family gather and chat around dining table. Why not create a different atmosphere by going for a casual dining style by using low coffee table and sofa chairs to create a casual lounge atmosphere. Your guests will be comfortable to move around and mingle.

Create cozy corners

Create a décor that your guests can identify with their country.  If your guests are from Italy, Greece and UK, create a European style atmosphere with Italian chairs, a union jack bench, greek sculpture or winding grape vines. If they are from Japan, Korea or China, hang red drapes for drama, hang lanterns, provide seats using rattan chairs and create side table with oriental chest. Comfort is always when you feel at home.

Creative gift wrap

Everybody loves gifts and a celebration would not be the same without exchanging gifts. Make it fun with creative gift wrapping or try something new with the art of Japanese ‘tsutsumi’ style that uses cloth and paper. Your guests will not only appreciate the gift but they will learn more about the country and its culture.

Serve international food

Food is where the heart is no matter where you are. Serve international food like sushi or timsum from Asia or Mediterranean couscous for a change. Prepare recipe cards and give out to your friends for them to try back home. The next time there is another gathering, your friends will be able to prepare the various international food! The more we eat together, the more we appreciate and love others – and the world will be a better place to live! Cheers!

“Everything has beauty but not everyone sees it” – Confucius

About Nora

I was a professional in the education industry for the last 15 years and recently decided to follow my passion in interior design and décor. I started my own collection of decorative cushions and linens using ethnic fabrics and I enjoy designing boards at Olioboard. Most of my inspiration comes from my Asian heritage, the environment of the tropical forest and the materials it produces like teak, bamboo and jute.

To see more of my work, you may check my portfolio at Olioboard  – username noorsirrat – or look up my blog  The Rumah Boutique at www.noorsirrat.blogspot.sg.

For more Olioboard Inspiration on Stagetecture, click here.