Hosting a Christmas Party: 8 Tips From the Experts

The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner, and if you’re playing host this Christmas, it’s time to embrace the festive spirit and ensure your guests have a memorable time. From decorating your home to planning a delicious feast, here are some Christmas hosting tips to help you create a warm and joyful atmosphere for your next get-together with friends or family. 

 

• Choose your guest list carefully: don’t be afraid to mix friend groups

• Get the vibes right: turn on the background music and decorate your home

• Create a gorgeous tablescape: candles, foliage, and fairy lights are your best friend

• Make cook-ahead appetisers: like pastry tarts, stuffed dates, or cold canapes

• Offer a range of festive drinks: both alcoholic and non-alcoholic

• Plan fun activities: we love a gingerbread house decorating contest

• Prepare for overnight guests: stock up the bathroom and change the sheets in the spare bedroom

• Party bags: send guests home with a few cute, thoughtful gifts

 

Read on for advice on hosting guests, and creating the perfect party atmosphere, as well as our favourite Christmas nibble recipes!

How To Host a Christmas Party – 10 Top Tips

Follow these simple tips to host the perfect Christmas party:

1. Think Carefully About Your Guest List

Choosing the right guest list for your Christmas party is a crucial step in your planning, and the wrong choices can lead to an evening that is too loud, too quiet, or filled with you trying to make all of the conversations!

Start by considering the size of your space and the atmosphere you want to create – is it an intimate gathering or a lively, bustling party? Think about the mix of personalities that will complement each other and contribute to a festive atmosphere. 

Whilst close family and friends often top the list, consider extending invitations to colleagues, neighbours, and acquaintances to diversify the crowd. Striking a balance between familiar faces and new connections can lead to dynamic conversations and shared laughter.

People are busy during the month of December, so make sure you send your invites well ahead of time (at least a month in advance) to avoid disappointment. 

2. Get the Vibes Right

Start by transforming your home into a winter wonderland. Decorate your space with festive ornaments, twinkling lights, and a beautifully adorned Christmas tree. Consider adding touches like wreaths and garlands to create a cosy ambiance that feels oh-so-festive. 

Go for mood lighting – light your favourite scented candles, turn on the twinkly lights, and please turn off the big light!

If you’re considering a fancier affair, turn on a festive jazz playlist. Going for a wilder party? Consider a playlist of classic Christmas pop songs. 

3. Create a Gorgeous Tablescape

Whilst you might not be planning a full sit-down roast dinner, you should still dress your nibble and drinks table accordingly. At this time of year, seasonal foliage is your best friend. Go out and forage for evergreen branches, holly, and ivy, and use these to create a gorgeous table runner. 

Nestle in other seasonal finds like dried orange slices, berries, clip-on robins, and anything else you have on hand. Finish your Christmas tablescape with vintage gold candle stick holders, scatter stars, and tealights. We’d also recommend adding a stack of festive napkins, plates, and cutlery at one end of the table.

If you’d like to find out how to dry your own orange slices for your festive tablescape, read one of our recent blogs.

4. Make Simple, Cook-Ahead Appetisers

Anything you can do to minimise your time in the kitchen as your guests mingle is a win for us! Curate your party food around things that can be made ahead of time but are still super delicious. Some of our favourite party appetiser ideas include:

• Fig & Goat’s Cheese Tarts
• Honey Mustard Cocktail Sausages
• Brie & Cranberry Sausage Rolls
• Goat’s Cheese-Stuffed Dates

Serve your appetisers on rustic wooden boards on your already-decorated Christmas tablescape. Don’t forget to leave out plates, cutlery, and napkins for your guests to use throughout the evening.

5. Offer a Range Of Festive Drinks

Set up a festive beverage station with a variety of hot and cold drinks to keep your guests in good spirits throughout the evening. Ideally, this would be self-serve to save you time and to save your guests feeling awkward asking you for a refill!

• Mulled wine: gently heat red wine with sugar, orange zest, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. Strain and serve warm.
• Elderflower fizz: mix elderflower cordial, sparkling water, and gin. Garnish with a lime wedge.
• Apple cider mimosa: rim champagne flutes with cinnamon sugar. Pour equal parts apple cider and champagne into each glass.

Don’t forget to offer a selection of non-alcoholic beverages for the younger ones or those who don’t drink. Trust us, nobody feels festive drinking orange squash! Consider lovely beverages like:

• Non-alcoholic mulled wine
• Posh elderflower lemonade (we love this one from Fentimans)
• Festive mocktails 
• Hot chocolate with allllll the trimmings

6. Plan a Few Fun Activities

Add a playful twist to your celebration with these entertaining Christmas party games that we guarantee are sure to bring laughter and camaraderie to your festive gathering (don’t forget a bottle of fizz for the winner!):

• Gingerbread house decorating contest: this is possibly one of our favourite festive party games. Provide pre-assembled gingerbread house kits or bake your own pieces in advance. Set up a decorating station with an array of colorful icings, sweets, and edible decorations. Guests vote on their favourite at the end.
• Christmas trivia: test your guests’ knowledge of holiday traditions with a Christmas trivia game. Prepare a list of questions related to Christmas history, traditions, and pop culture. Play as teams of 2-5 or in pairs!
• White Elephant gift exchange: organise a White Elephant gift exchange at your party. Guests bring wrapped, inexpensive, or humorous gifts. Draw numbers to determine the order of selecting and stealing gifts. The ensuing friendly competition can result in some hilarious and memorable moments!
• Christmas karaoke: bring out the inner pop star in your guests with a Christmas karaoke session. Create a playlist of Christmas classics and let everyone showcase their vocal talents. Whether it’s a solo performance or a group sing-along, it’s sure to add a lively and festive vibe to your party.

7. Prepare for Overnight Guests

If your Christmas celebration extends into the evening, consider the possibility of overnight guests. Ensure you have a comfortable sleeping arrangement with fresh bed sheets, extra blankets, and perhaps a festive touch like Christmas-themed pajamas or slippers. Small gestures go a long way in making your guests feel at home.

In your guest bathroom, we’d recommend stocking up on mini toiletries. Fill a classy wicker basket with things like:

• Spare toothbrushes
• Dental floss & mouthwash
• Body wash
• Hand & body lotion
• Face masks
• Mini shampoo & conditioner
• Fresh face cloths, tied with a festive ribbon

8. Send Guests Home With Party Bags

You might hear the phrase ‘party bags’ and think of the time you took your six-year-old niece to a birthday party, but, the truth is, adults love them too! We’d totally recommend them for guests to take home after any festive gathering. 

Fill your party bags with a selection of festive goodies (no tatt here!):

• Mini prosecco/gin/vodka/wine/Baileys (We always buy this 20-pack of minature Baileys bottles!)
• Gingerbread biscuits
• A small bottle of infused olive oil
• Homemade chocolate bark
• Homemade festive roasted nuts
• A handwritten thank you note or Christmas card

Hosting Tips & Tricks From Savery Grazing

At Savery Grazing, we believe in creating memorable moments through thoughtful hosting and exquisite food. If you’ve found these Christmas hosting tips helpful, explore our website for more inspiration on culinary delights and event planning.

If you want to keep up to date with us, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest. Looking for grazing platters for your next event? Get in touch with our team!

Cheers to hosting the perfect Christmas gathering!

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