Inshell nuts are an elegant accompaniment to holiday cooking and entertaining. Here are a few fresh ways to entertain stylishly while giving a nod to holiday customs, courtesy of Diamond Foods and cookbook author and culinary producer, Tina Salter.

For a festive burst of color, set a candle in the center of a large glass vase or hurricane lamp and surround it with a mixture of inshell nuts, small citrus fruits and leaves. Or glue inshell nuts to a cardboard circle to form a border around a candle. For added elegance, paint some or all of the nuts gold and allow to dry.

All nuts taste better when roasted. The process is simple. Preheat the oven to 375°F and roast for about 20 minutes.

Add a festive look to a holiday wreath with gold painted inshell nuts.

For a bubbly cocktail party, create a nut cracking and dipping station. Surround a large bowl of inshell walnuts with tasting bowls of flavored olive oils and gourmet salts.

Finish off a holiday dinner party with a final course of port, Stilton or soft blue cheese and fresh toasted inshell walnuts. Guests will linger at the table to crack nuts, sip port and tell stories... an inviting end to an intimate soiree.