When guests arrive at the front door, greet them with a seasonal wreath. Evergreen or holly leaf wreaths can hang on both the inside and outside of the door. Attach a velvet bow and few sprigs of gold or red berries to the wreath and hang slightly above eye level. A container of Poinsettias beside the door is a nice touch - if your door has room on both sides, flank it with a matched set of potted Poinsettias. On the kitchen table, arrange a set of three clear glass canisters.
Canisters are available at most home-department stores.
Fill the canisters with shortbread, Christmas candies and cookies. The idea is to fill the clear glass containers with festive, brightly coloured cookies and candy. For extra seasonal inspiration lay a few pine branches on the table around the canisters. Create a coffee centre in the kitchen - that way, everything will be easy to find for the guest that may be looking for a cup of java before you do. Fill a basket with small packets of flavoured coffee, exotic teas, cinnamon sticks and extra filters.