Marion Philpotts, interior designer of Philpotts & Associates, has provided PacificNetwork.TV with imaginative holiday party tips that can be put to good use in your home. Greenery from the yard can be incorporated in a decorative Christmas garland and table setting.

It's easy to embellish an artificial garland (that can be recycled every year) with greens like monstera, magnolia and ferns intertwined, to create fresh Christmas decor.

There's no need to limit the holiday color palette to just red and green, either, Philpotts says. She suggests "celebrating color" by using rich, tropical color selections when setting your table or creating "thematic vignettes" around your home.

An elegant table setting can be created using cut banana leaves as liners for a special dinner setting. Philpotts demonstrates in an online video at HonoluluAdvertiser.com/Islandlife. Accent with a collection of coconut accessories or your favorite wood calabash to bring an Island sensibility to your table.

In tomorrow's online issue at www.PacificNetwork.tv/LifeIsGood.asp, "Christmas from the Garden," you'll find more holiday tips to personalize your holiday decor.