Holiday Entertaining Guide
Holiday party season is officially underway! Whether you’re hostessing or attending this year, I’ve got you covered. Today we’re talking hostess gifts, recipes, hostess tips, and more! I’ve talked with some of my favorite tastemakers who also weighed in on all of their hostessing tips & tricks.
Happy Holidays!
Holiday Hostess Guide: For Hostesses & Guests
General Things to Consider:
Bar: If you don’t have a designated bartender, make sure your bar is fully stocked, easily accessible and labeled. Make it easy for guests to fix their own drinks and located in a convenient location that is central but not in the way.
Music: There’s nothing worse than having awkward breaks between songs, or random song changes. To avoid this, create your playlist ahead of time and have it playing before guests arrive. This will set the tone and allow you to not have to think about it throughout the night!
Lighting: Lighting can make a huge impact on the feel of a party. This is where dimmable lights make a huge difference! Dim the lights just enough to set the tone but still bright enough so your guests can see.
Coat Check: Most guests will have coats and purses when they arrive. Have a designated room, closet, or spot for guests to put their things!
Layout: Think about the layout of your party ahead of time. Think about where guests will most likely congregate, where the bar is located, food, etc. You want their to be an even flow and for everyone to have plenty of room to sit and converse.
Tastemaker Panel
Tips From Tastemakers
Emily Hertz: Dress to match your table! I think it adds a little something to the evening and shows your guests that you thought everything through!
Ariel Okin: Enjoy it! No one has fun with a stressed host – smile and have fun!
Ashley Gilbreath: Have your table set and ready to go! I was always told if your table is dressed and ready everyone will assume everything is in check before they arrive. This gives you time to mingle with your guests instead of adding last minute details. It also gives you a little bit of time to slip away and touch up your lipstick or catch your breath!
Anne Wagoner: I create several cozy seating areas, especially by the fire. I’ve been known to rearrange my furniture in the winter to get as many people around the fire as possible. I also like to fill a vase with Christmas tree cuttings and mix them with other greenery to create fragrant bouquets around the house. We just introduced a new holiday scented candle at Hotesse that captures “winter” perfectly, so that will be burning in my house all season!
James Farmer: Don't over-complicate it so that you can enjoy the party with your guests. After all, isn't that the point of having a party?! Whether it means hiring a caterer or florist to alleviate the work you have to do or serving simple appetizers versus a complicated meal, think through ways to make it easy on you, the host.
Gen Sohr: To keep stress levels to a minimum- I like to set the table, and do flowers the night before. Also, don't forget to dim the lights, burn a pretty scented candle, and always have a great playlist.
Food & Drink
What is your favorite appetizer or recipe to make when hosting a party?
Emily Hertz: I'm not much of a cook, but I find that a well-stocked cheese board always does the trick. I love adding fruit and pretty accoutrements so it's a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach.
Ariel Okin: No one has ever resisted a piping hot pig in a blanket with an ice cold glass of champagne; the high-low mix makes it fun.
Ashley Gilbreath: I love an amazing charcuterie board. When done right, they provide such beautiful color to any spread… it covers all the right combinations of sweet and savory or salty and sweet for anyone on your guest list.
Anne Wagoner: My favorite foods to pass during cocktail hour are cheese wafers and pickled okra.
James Farmer: A Southern cheese board from Thomasville, Georgia's, Sweet Grass Dairy, complete with candied pecans, grapes and pickled okra. I also love to do brie with a great figgy jam, sliced Granny Smith apples, and crackers. Another old school favorite that I often prepare is a block of cream cheese topped with Laurie Jo's pineapple pepper jelly with Ritz crackers.
Gen Sohr: I like to keep it simple and easy! You can never go wrong with a pretty charcuterie board.
Y’all heard it here first, you can’t go wrong with a good charcuterie board this season (or any season)!
My charcuterie board was a huge hit at Thanksgiving!
Hostess Gifts
What is your go-to hostess gift?
Emily Hertz: One can never have too many cocktail napkins! I love the precious sets from Courtland & Co. Add these to a bottle of wine and pair with her favorite snack and you've got a great gift. (cocktail napkins linked below!)
Ariel Okin: I love to give a coffee table book that has a sentimental meaning to the host or hostess, whether it's about their favorite artist, activity (say, golf), or the locale in which you're posting up. A candle is always a nice touch, as are some gourmet goodies for the weekend.
Ashley Gilbreath: This year, I have been into hand painted ornaments. A local artists touch is a great way to pass along something creative, festive, and a holiday keepsake.
Anne Wagoner: My favorite hostess gift is a bud vase, cocktail napkins, or a nice candle!
James Farmer: Definitely a coffee table book - it's a great way to give something both personal and interesting. Find a book on a topic that reminds you of your host/hostess then write a personal note in it to remember the occasion. A great stack of coffee table books in your home never goes out of style, so it isn't something the receiver will ever question, "What in the world am I supposed to do with this?" after you give it!
Gen Sohr: Our Howdy Tote or a beautiful bottle of Champagne with a custom hangtag.
These darling cocktail napkins from Courtland & Co. (mentioned above my Born on Fifth) are the perfect hostess gift! I love this light blue that can be used year round.
Candles are a go-to hostess gift for many people. This candle is not only aesthetically pleasing but everyone loves America’s favorite champagne!
Anne Wagoner’s new shop, Hotesse, is hostess gift galore! She has beautiful products, and I just adore these silver coasters that will go with any home.
A bottle of wine is a classic hostess gift, because, who doesn’t love a good glass of wine?! Pair the bottle of your choice with a pretty wine bag and save yourself having to wrap your gift!
Nothing says “Merry Christmas” quite like a beautiful ornament. This gorgeous crystal snowflake ornament is timeless, and will go with any tree.
As y’all know, I love blue & white so I would love to receive this platter if I was a hostess! It’s perfect for serving apps, or even to hang on the wall as decoration.
Charcuterie boards are all the rage right now, as you could tell from the tastemakers favorite appetizers! I made one over Thanksgiving (pictured above) and it was a huge hit. This “On Boards” book is great for hostesses to step up their charcuterie game or just gather some inspo!
You can never have enough candlesticks! This simple crystal pair will go with any tablescape, making them a perfect gift.
I love giving tea towel as gifts, and this set is covered in topiaries, and oh so cute! They would be adorable in a kitchen or a powder room.
I adore this etched glass bowl! So feminine and classic.
I talked about some great VIETRI products in my Christmas Tablescapes post on Thursday but I wanted to share these holiday guest napkins. These are perfect to put in a Powder Room when guests are over because they can be thrown away but still look nice!
Napkin rings are like jewelry for tablescapes! This tortoise and bee napkin ring is so stinkin’ cute and would make the perfect addition to a spunky place setting.
I love a pretty pair of serving spoons, and this stone & brass set from Anthropologie is stunning!
A vase is another easy gift because you can fill it with flowers or greenery and you’re finished! I love this bud vase from VIETRI.
Lastly, a cake stand is always a great gift for a hostess! I of course love this blue & white stand that would look great in any Kitchen.
There’s always Something to Style Over!
xx, Lea
Gorgeous Tablescape Designed by Emily Hertz from Born on Fifth
