Make an Entrance
 
Stewart likes to suspend a single oversize kugel (German for "ball") from the foyer light fixture. This pinecone-shaped stunner is based on a vintage design. Add pop to a green-on-green wreath by wiring on tiny red and silver ornaments. Winding greenery up the banister can be laborious — just do the newel instead, suggests Stewart. Red acorn kugel, $50; 35-mm ornaments, $15 for a boxed set of 27, all Martha Stewart Collection; Macy's, macys.com/ marthastewartcollection. Eucalyptus and cedar wreath, $75 for 24"; eucalyptus and cedar garland, $9 for 12", both from U.S. Evergreens, Inc.; 212-741-5300.
 
 
 
 
Table Turned
 
Stewart chooses the palette for her table linens based on the colors in vintage china, then layers new dishes atop old. Other out-of-the-box ideas: Set candles on cheese boards and use ornaments, like this reindeer, as place-card holders. And she swears that if you don’t have a full set of formal silver, it’s perfectly OK to swap in a mismatched fork or spoon. Glass reindeer ornaments, $13 for 5"; Menu cheese boards, $8; Montmarte salad plate, $7; Magnolia flatware, $100 for 53-piece set; Hadley glasses, $5; Foliage salt cellars, $3, all Martha Stewart Collection; Macy's, macys.com/ marthastewartcollection.
 
 
 
 
Dining Details
 
Turn dessert into buffet decor. Elevate baked goods and sweets on cake stands and tiered trays. Trade the expected place mats or tablecloth for runners spread across the table’s width. Whiteware creamer, $7; sugar bowl with lid, $7; cake stands, $15 for 8", $20 for 10", $30 for 13"; pitcher, $22; shallow-footed compote, $25; Fluted All-Purpose glasses, $9, all Martha Stewart Collection; Macy's, macys.com/ marthastewartcollection. Linen Hemstitch napkins in cactus, $54 for set of six, Linen Hemstitch runner in cactus, $59 for 16" by 108", both from Pottery Barn; 800-922-5507, potterybarn.com.
 
 
 
 
Ornamental
 
Feather trees, a longtime favorite of Stewart’s, are ideal for displaying your favorite delicate heirloom ornaments. (She thinks they often get lost on a normal-size tree.) Red Onion Kugal, $50; 10" glass reindeer, $35; White Feather tree, $60 for 24", $85 for 36"; 35-mm ornaments, $15 for boxed set of 27; Fluted All-Purpose glasses, $9, all Martha Stewart Collection; Macy's, macys.com/ marthastewartcollection.
 
 
 
 
Candy Course
 
Dessert can’t always appear the exact moment dinner ends. Set out candy bowls to occupy guests while you put the final touches on the last course. Foliage Single-Serving dishes, $8, Martha Stewart Collection; Macy's, macys.com/ marthastewartcollection.
 
 
 
 
Color Control
 
When it comes time to decorate the tree, divide your ornaments by shade into separate containers. Stewart says that will help you distribute the hues evenly and avoid color clumping. Another tip: Hang ornaments with green florist’s wire instead of hooks — it’s nearly invisible. Ornaments, $8-$40, Martha Stewart Collection; Macy's, macys.com/ marthastewartcollection.
 
 
 
 
It’s a Wrap
 
For packaging gifts, Stewart prefers to mix solid papers with patterned ones. Coordinating your palette (a signature Stewart trick) gives the presents under your tree that extra bit of polish. Stripes of ribbon — an easy alternative to traditional bows — look much more complicated than they really are. Simply fasten each strip with double-stick tape. Solid wrapping paper, $2 to $15, The Container Store; 800-786-7315, containerstore.com.
 
 
 
 
Bowl ’n’ Balls
 
A classic Martha Stewart move: displaying extra ornaments in glass bowls. Ornaments, $50 for set of 26 in various sizes, Martha Stewart Collection; Macy's, macys.com/ marthastewartcollection.
 
 
 
 
Work on Your Accents
 
Is your living room normally neutral? Reinforce the seasonal color scheme by adding affordable throws and toss pillows — a fast way to take a room on holiday. Linen and faux-suede pillow in beet, $29 for 18" by 18", West Elm; 866-937-8356, westelm.com. Similar to shown: Taffeta square pillow in cornflower, $57, The Silk Trading Co.; 800-854-0396. Pom-pom throw in Holly, $80; ornaments, $8 to $40, all Martha Stewart Collection; Macy's, macys.com/ marthastewartcollection. 7.5' BH Balsam Fir Clear Light tree, $859, Balsam Hill; balsamhill.com.