Hosting a Festive Party 101
By now, you all know there’s nothing I love more than hosting a party. Whether it’s birthdays, Boxing Day, or anything in between, having all my friends and family in our home brings me so much joy. With the holiday season upon us, I’m sharing my top tips for hosting a fab dinner party, whatever the celebration.
The Table:
Pre-setting the table is key to any dinner party. I try and do this the night before so that it’s one less thing to worry about. The first thing that always goes down is a table protector. My Nan always had one of these on the table and its genius. It basically means that you don’t have to stress about spillages when you have 26 people around the table (us on Boxing Day this year!) is gonna happen.
Tablecloths:
There are so many amazing tablecloths out there. I love these from H&M Home. I have them in every colour. I buy a size larger than my table as I like them to drape over the edges. The fact that they’re linen also means that creases look cool.
Another thing I like to do is to drape a patterned tablecloth over the centre of the table for added fanciness. Drape it in the wrong direction so it hangs to the floor. This creates a kind of centrepiece area where you can that add vases full of flowers and candles galore. Some of my fave tablecloths can be found here at Glassette.
Napkins:
Christmas dinner = messy hands. So, napkins are key. I love to tie a ribbon around each napkin and lay it in the centre of the plate. This year I’ve bought some metallic pink yarn: This adds an extra pop of colour and a bit of fun. I guarantee most of your guests will end up with it wrapped around their head at some point!
I have the matching linen H&M napkins to go with my tablecloth, but if you want something more unique, these by Maison Flaneur are fab. I mean could these napkins be any chicer? The mix-and-match design, combined with their 100% cotton quality, adds a lovely touch of elegance and fun to your Christmas table. Maison Flâneur has truly nailed the festive aesthetic with these napkins, and I’m obsessed!
Candles:
Scenting your home is key at Christmas. Whether you want a traditional Christmas candle or something a bit sexier. I have added some of my fave festive scents to my gift guide here: https://www.lisapotterdixon.com/blog/my-ultimate-2024-christmas-gift-guide
And, if you do want to go down the sexy scent route, there’s nothing more debaucherous than Filthy Rose. That girl knows how to get a party started.
Candlesticks are a great way to decorate the table. They can be stunning but a bit annoying when there’s a huge feast on the table. These gorgeous gold star candlestick holders are the perfect balance they’re low enough to stay out of the way while adding a festive sparkle. I love them so much they’ll probably stay out all year in our home.
Plates & Platters
Serving up the food doesn’t need to be boring. Give those spectacular roasties the platter they deserve. Here’s a few of my faves:
Phannapast Taychamaythakool - Twelve Days of Christmas Dessert Plate
Anthropologie’s Christmas collections are always a highlight for me – in particular the plates! In my house, I rarely have anything that matches so these 12 days of Christmas plates are so perfect.
Just a reminder that your platters don’t necessarily need to be Christmas “themed”. Why not treat yourself to something that you can love all year round? I absolutely love this crab one. A few years ago, I decorated my house for Christmas with an “under the sea” theme… is it time to bring that back?! Maybe 2025…
Straws
Help your friends keep track of their drinks with these festive reusable straws. Designs range from snowmen to reindeer, and they double as a sustainable take-home gift. Get off Santa – he’s mine!
Christmas Crackers:
There are so many cracker options out there. I always find the best ones at TK Maxx. I really like the ones that include games like the balloon hat-making crackers. This entertains your guests and makes everyone around that table look ridiculous (in the best way possible).
Talking of hats, crackers aren’t essential and can be super spenny if you have a lot of guests. Last year I bought some metallic cardboard hats and added tinsel around the edge. I paired this with a party popper and told everyone to bring their best joke to the table. This turned out to be hilarious and way better than a paper party hat, so I think I’ll do the same this year.
If you do fancy a luxury cracker, why not impress your friends with these amazing Lockdown Liquor & Co crackers. Full of the BEST pre-mixed cocktails and a silly hat and (bad) joke included, of course!
Prep:
Preparation is key to success and less stress. So, make your life easier and plan ahead! I always pre-boil my potatoes (here’s my famous recipe for my roast potatoes and my pigs in blanket for those that don’t have it!)
and pre-cook the turkey in the morning. Just cover the meat in foil and baste every hour.
I also pre-make my cauliflower cheese the day before and cut all the veg the morning of the dinner. I literally want to be able to chuck all the food in the oven when the guests arrive so I can relax and join in the party.
Pre-making your pud a couple of days in advance is always a great idea too. This year we’re making a big old Terry's Chocolate Orange mousse. I’m pretty sure this will go down a treat.
Batch-making cocktails is also a great time-saver. I always make up a few big jugs of margarita’s.
££:
One more thing I want to mention is money. Christmas is a crazy expensive time so, a few years back we started to ask everyone to split the bill. Everyone is always so happy to. We ask everyone for £50 each and that covers all food and drink so that they don’t have to worry about a thing. Don’t be afraid to do the same.
I could keep going, but these are some of my absolute favourite ways to make your festive party unforgettable. Whether you’re setting the table, prepping your food or adding thoughtful touches around your home, a little effort goes a long way in creating a magical experience for your guests. Hosting is about creating memories, so don’t forget to have fun!
Love,
Lisa
xx
PS: I have used some affiliate links throughout the post. This doesn’t cost you a thing. Also, Velvet Smoke is my own brand (so of course I was going to feature my babies)!