Coming together for the festive season brings with it an air of excitement. It’s the season for candid conversations, intimate gatherings, festive glamor, sparkly homes, and indulgent feasts. What’s not to love?
But even as we get ready to celebrate with friends and family at dinners and parties that stretch into the wee hours of the morning, hosting comes with it’s fair share of stress. Which is why, we decided to break it down with a few easy to follow tips that will set you up for festive entertaining success.
The key to hosting during the holiday season (or any season), is to keep things simple, and make/prepare everything you can ahead. It’s also not a bad idea to get help for some stuff instead of trying to do everything on your own – no one’s going to judge you for ordering the dessert at your favourite bakery, or enlisting a florist to help with decor! This is specially true for larger gatherings when there are a lot more things to take care of.
Whether you’re hosting an intimate group of friends, or going all out with a large festive bash, a few key things you need to remember: create the right mood with the decor, music, and lighting; have plenty of nibbles for everyone; and make sure your bar is well-stocked.
Here are some of our favourite festive entertaining tips, the only ones you’ll need in order to host an unforgettable night:
Hang fairy lights over door frames or windows, decorate nooks with votives and old-school lanterns, or simply light your favourite soy candles on the dinner table — the right kind of lighting sets the mood for your celebration and creates an intimate setting.
Jazz up your couches and sofas with a pop of colour and a hint of bling. Use rich fabrics like silk or velvet, and go for embroidered and gilded cushions for that much needed sparkle. Mix and match different patterns and materials to create a layered effect and make your space cozy – perfect for long conversations and nights full of laughter.
Fresh flowers can instantly brighten up a room, make the space feel inviting, and make it look like you’ve put in a lot of effort for your guests – even if it as simple as adding a few stems to a statement vase. Use vintage brass or copper vases for a metallic accent, or coloured glass ones for a more minimal approach. Vases are a great way to add height to the coffee table too.
How often do you think of using fragrance as an ambiance enhancer when you’re hosting? Probably never, right? The truth is, the right fragrance can really add so much depth and mood to any gathering. Light up a scented candle or put a few drops of your favourite essential oil in a diffuser. But remember to use something delicate as your signature fragrance – floral, woodsy, or citrusy. You want your guests to be pleasantly delighted, not overpower them with an intense perfume.
Like we mentioned before, having a well-stocked bar is essential when entertaining guests. You could prepare a big batch cocktail like sangria before hand to simplify things, or set out a DIY cocktail bar. Just put out mixers, tonics, and little bowls of garnishes (mint leaves, orange slices, lime wedges, berries, rosemary sprigs, cinnamon sticks etc) so your guests can craft their own bespoke cocktails. You could even make up a few combinations for signature cocktails just for your party!
Dress your table with your favourite serveware, and compliment using metallic accents — votives, napkin rings, or even flatware. Soften your tablescape with festive table linens and fresh flowers. Don’t stress about having everything matchy-matchy as playing around with different materials and textures looks beautiful. If everyone’s eating at the table, keep your decor simple so there’s enough room for everyone to feast comfortably.
Every good host knows this: prepare everything ahead of time and keep stuff that requires last minute cooking to the bare minimum. The key is to have lots of small nibbles and appetisers that pleases the crowd during cocktail hour. Looking for easy recipes that can be made ahead (and with minimal fuss)? Check out our favourite ideas here.
Don’t hesitate to get professional help when required: we all can’t be pro bakers, so don’t take on the stress of baking the perfect cake or pie when you already have a million other things to do.
Once you’ve done all the work, don’t forget to actually enjoy your own party! Moments before guests start arriving: switch on some music, dim the lights, light the candles, and pour yourself a drink. You’ve done everything you had to, and there’s no end to stressing about small details.
And that’s it. Time to go on and enjoy the festive season!
