How To Throw A Festive Party - Your Guide To Holiday Hosting
The holidays are coming, and plenty of opportunities to flex your hosting muscles go with them. Whether you’re throwing a get-together for Christmas or organising a New Years’ Eve Party to welcome 2023, there’s much planning to be done at this time of year.
No matter your hosting experience, the festive period can be seriously stressful for the host with the most and total novices alike. Luckily, we’re on hand to help with our step-by-step guide to throwing the perfect party. From when to start your prepping to decorating your table, we have Christmas covered.
When To Start Planning Your Christmas Party
Alexander Graham Bell once said that “before anything else, preparation is the key to success”. We couldn’t agree more, and when it comes to preparing for guests, there’s no such thing as too early. This might seem like a mammoth task itself, but by breaking down your to-do list into three categories, you’ll find preparing much easier.
First, your guest list. Who’s coming, for how long, and from where? Once you’ve noted how many are coming, make a note of any special requirements they might have, whether it’s a new set of bedsheets for an overnight stay or a veggie alternative dish.
When your guest list is sorted you can start making plans for your menu, and finally, your decor. Take this time to note a quick schedule rather than a traditional to-do list, as it’s much easier to stay on top of festive preparations this way.
Preparing Your Party Space
As soon as you have your guest list, it’s best to ensure you have enough space for everyone to get comfortable. There’s nothing worse than being short a chair or tableware on Christmas day, so take stock of your home beforehand and you won’t be caught unawares.
Take the time to count out your silverware and glasses, and make sure you have more than enough to go around. However, the most important thing is to make sure your dinner table set-up can fit all your guests.
Our quick-delivery service has a lead time of 1-2 weeks, so there’s still time to order any last-minute essentials. If you’re short on space, an extendable dining table is a fabulous investment that easily pulls out to accommodate extra guests.
Stock Up For Overnight Guests
We mentioned that when planning your guest list you should note how long they’re staying for. If there aren’t enough beds to go around, we highly recommend investing in a sofabed. Kyoto Sofabeds are a fashionable and functional way to add sleeping space to your home without taking up too much room.
When setting up your guest bedroom, or any sleeping area, be sure to put aside extra pillows and blankets. Clean your bedding in advance, and keep a spare set on hand for anyone staying for more than a couple of days. A chic set of Christmas bedding is a wonderful way to give your guest room some festive flair and ties the seasonal look together.
If you want to give your guests that hotel experience, set out towels and miniature toiletries for a truly boutique feel. You can even decorate your guest room with a miniature Christmas Tree or add a wreath to their door.
Our Favourite Bedding & Towels
Scion Mr Fox Christmas Hand Towel
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Mr Moose Hand Towel
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 Sophie Allport Winter Robin Duvet Set
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Preparing Your Menu
Prepping for Christmas dinner or a New Year’s Eve dinner party can be a mission in itself, especially when you have to work in cooking time around entertaining guests. If you have friends or family staying over a few days, lessening your cooking time is key.
Prepare your meals in advance, and opt for recipes that can be made before your guests arrive. Soup, baked items and stuffing can be made before the big day, so be sure to plan your cooking time wisely.
Slow cooker meals are an effortless way to prepare delicious meals, and can be made in large batches for even the busiest of homes. We have plenty of recipes to choose from, including vegetarian slow cooker meals and desserts - so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the festivities.
Planning Your Christmas Table Settings
Once you’ve decided on your menu, it’s time to start planning your Christmas table setting. Keep your dishes in mind, as this can drastically effect the look of your table. For example, if you plan on placing your turkey in the middle of your table, avoid any bulky centrepieces. The last thing you want is to be shuffling decorations around as dinner is being served.
Colour Coordinated Serving Plates
When arranging your plates, lay a large serving platter and then a smaller serving plate on top. Finish off the look with linen napkin, which you can secure with a napkin ring or simply wrap with twine for a more rustic feel. This Christmas, deep greens are standing out as the main trend, so why not incorporate them into your decorating scheme?
The Santorini Blue platter emulates the deep colours Christmas 2023 is all about, and is sure to impress your guests. You could also include a touch of green with a festive potpourri centrepiece. The Aztec Collection Ceramic Bowl puts a stylish twist on traditional Christmas green, and can be filled a range of dried seasonal plants such as:
- Dried Oranges
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Dried Cranberries
- Dried Rosemary
- Dried Vanilla Bean
Chic Christmas Centrepieces
Unless the meal itself is your centrepiece, adding your own is essential - as the focus of your table the rest of your settings should complement the look. A potpourri bowl is a fabulously festive DIY that is easy to create and adds plenty of atmosphere. You can also create your very own Winter wonderland, with these chic Christmas tree models.
Another cosy centrepiece can be made using tall dinner candles, or pillar candles with Glass Hurricanes. Arrange your candles with varying heights to add a touch of professionalism, and be sure to include some greenery to fill out the space.
Decorate With Festive Greenery
Another big trend for Christmas 2023 is incorporating plenty of seasonal plants into your decorating scheme. There are heaps of different ways to include this trend, such as arranging your very own floral sprays as a contemporary centrepiece. Be sure to include festive bursts of red and frosted details.
Eucalyptus Christmas table decorations are another trend interior designers are loving this year, and a small amount can work wonders. The frosted fern and eucalyptus sprig looks wonderful as part of a centrepiece spray, arranged around candles and especially when tucked into a napkin ring.
An Ivy Garland can also help to elevate the look of your table, and arranging them around your settings is a simple yet effective decoration. No matter the materials you opt for, choose artificial plants that complement one another.
Keep The Drinks Flowing
The fridge is always a little packed at this time of year, so get creative with your drink dispensing. An ice bucket is perfect for keeping cold drinks on hand, so make sure to choose either a classic bucket or floors option. This clever table hanging bucket perches on the side of your table easily, saving plenty of space.
A compact drinks trolley is a fabulous way to add an extra element to your entertaining, so why not try your hand at mixing up some Christmassy cocktails.
Plan Activities and Pick The Perfect Playlist
Last but not least, make sure you have plenty of fun activities planned for your guests, If you have little ones coming, keep them occupied with our fun and festive DIY projects. It’s always a good idea to invest in some board games, and keep the atmosphere jolly with a Christmas music playlist.
