Tips for Stress Free Party Hosting this Festive Season
It is party season and the perfect time to bring people together, whether you are hosting a festive get together with friends and family or having a big New Year’s Eve party to celebrate the end of 2024 the key is all in the preparation. Hosting any kind of event can sometimes be overwhelming so read on for our tips for stress-free entertaining, allowing you to enjoy the party too.
Organisation
Start with numbers of guests and write a to do list in a notebook to help you stay on track. Make sure your guests confirm they can come that way you can pre-plan what food and drink you will need, and tick things off your list rather than panic buying hours before the guests arrive. Think about the kind of party it’s going to be, will it be a sophisticated formal dinner party or will your guests be rocking around the Christmas tree in festive jumpers. Be prepared and take the opportunity to clean and tidy your home the day before your guests arrive leaving you time to prep any food and add the final additions to decorating.
Prepare Guest Rooms
The festive season often means friends and family staying over for a night or two. Ensure they know which room they are staying when your guests arrive so they can pop their bags in the room and freshen up before the festivities begin. A sofa bed in the guest bedroom is ideal for overnight visitors. Our Hugo corner sofa bed is finished in warm taupe with piping for a contemporary look. For small spaces try our Una single or double fold out sofa bed available in several hues and fabrics including green and blue velvet or a soft teddy fabric in warm white.
Dining Details
Whether you are entertaining for Christmas dinner, festive drinks or a New Year’s Eve party create a space for food and drinks in your kitchen or dining room. The Rayna black dining table features a chic gold edge for a touch of glamour, paired with our green velvet Freya chairs this stylish dining set is perfect for a festive party. Create a chic centrepiece for your table with the Boswell black tray or the Holten decorative bowl and fill with Christmas baubles, tea light holders or scented candles. Alternatively, you could decorate your table with garlands or natural foliage styled with gold lanterns or festive accessories like our red Sira trees. Find out more about our tips for tablescaping here.
Food & Drinks
Christmas time is all about indulging in delicious foods and drinks. If you are cooking a sit-down dinner for Christmas day, then allow yourself plenty of time to prep the food. If you have lots of people coming for a relaxed mingling party, then keep food simple. Set up buffet style food for people to help themselves to savoury nibbles, cheeses, and meats along with a few sweet treats and mince pies. Present your food beautifully in serving bowls and on beautiful serving boards like our wooden Bosco or marble Grazeley.
Make a few pre-made festive cocktails for your guests to enjoy on arrival and keep beers and wine chilled in large ice buckets. A sideboard like the Art Deco inspired Gloria is the perfect piece of furniture for storing drinks like spirits and wines as well as wine glasses and champagne flutes. Why not set up a drinks station on top of the cabinet or sideboard, keep mixers, ice and lemons and lime slices nearby so your guests can help themselves whilst you can enjoy mingling and being perfect host.
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