Holiday Hosting Essentials
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I love to host a good party. Thinking about everything from what food to serve to playlists that set the right mood to coming up with ways to keep people entertained and mingling. There’s an art to hosting, and it’s something I’m forever fine-tuning. I’m by no means Martha Stewart (although I do love that catty woman), but over the years, I’ve come up with my own playbook of essentials that make any given party a pretty darn good time. I host Thanksgiving every year (if you’re curious about my Thanksgiving prep and hosting details, check out my post!). That first year was rough. I think it took me two weeks of planning, prep, mapping out a food/cooking timeline, setting up, and running out to the store countless times to get everything from toothpicks to chargers. I’ve got it down to a science now and can usually wait until a couple of days before Thanksgiving to get everything ready. Christmas is generally left to the Grandmother contingent in our family, but that doesn’t mean we don’t host other holiday celebrations. This year, we plan to have friends over New Year’s Eve. And yes, I will be hanging a banner that reads, “Please leave by 9 pm.” No one needs people lingering when all you want to do is get in your PJs and sip some champagne while watching Andy and Anderson.
We, fortunately, have a house that entertains well. It’s not an open concept, which I actually like for parties—a buffet table in one room with all the food, game tables in another room. The bar is usually set up somewhere away from the kitchen to keep that dreaded, inevitable cluster of people that seemingly cluster like magnets to the kitchen when you’re trying to cook. Kids at the party? We send them on down to our basement, where we have a mini fridge stocked with pop (yes, pop! I’m from Michigan), baskets of snacks, and a boatload of games to keep them entertained.
Not only does the set up matter to keep a good flow of conversation and mingling, but having the right hosting accessories on hand can make being the hostess with the mostess that much easier. I have my tried-and-true favorites…cooking tenderloin on Christmas Eve? That electronic meat thermometer is a life saver! Serving white wine? A wine chiller will keep your guests from having to dip into your fridge to pull the cold wine out. Is your crowd into martinis and Old Fashioneds before the holiday meal? Get that cocktail shaker on the bar cart! And yes, I still plan to use my Christmas appetizer plates, Spode pitcher, and other Christmas goods when hosting our NYE party. Why not? Keep that festive spirit going for as long as possible!
Here are some of my tried-and-true favorites that make hosting a holiday party a breeze. Some of these I use year-round when throwing parties and most are specific to the holidays. Either way, this gives you an idea of what I like to have on hand to throw a memorable and festive holiday party.
This post may include affiliate links through which I earn a commission. All opinions expressed are always my own, and any commissions earned are of no cost to you.
Swoon Decanter
Even if you’re not a wine snob, you can really look like you know what you’re doing by putting your red wine offering into this beautiful decanter by Crate and Barrel. (Oh… and if you’re serving wine that’s not expensive and want to keep that on the DL, this allows you to serve any type of wine a bit more discreetly.
Mud Pie Gravy Boat
So many holiday dinners include some sauce….turkey usually includes gravy, prime rib will be completed with a horseradish sauce or Au Jus, and beef tenderloin might come with a Bearnaise or mushroom sauce. In any event, this Mud Pie gravy boat can be used for all!
Snowflake Stemless Wine Glasses
While I have, and love, my Spode Christmas wine glasses, I do like the idea of a more generic winter motif so that you can use them long past the holidays. Also, with stemless, there’s less chance of someone breaking a glass if that’s a concern.
Countertop Ice Maker
My husband received a countertop ice maker for his birthday, and we are now obsessed with pebble ice. Wow your guests with luxe ice for their drinks. A tip? If you know you’ll need a bunch of ice, start squirreling some of it away throughout the week so that you don’t have to wait for the machine to make more if you run out.
Lenox Holiday Serving Platter
You’ll like need a myriad of different serving platters, bowls and dishes if you’re hosting anything from an appetizer spread to a big dinner. This Lenox serving platter is a classic. The best part? It’s dishwasher safe.
Holiday Tablecloth
I have a friend who celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas and she recommended this tablecloth as it’s festive enough to work for all celebrations. Maison d’ Hermine makes beautiful cotton tablecloths. Check out the link for other gorgeous designs.
Meat Thermometer
As I mentioned previously, many holiday celebrations include some sort of meat, and you definitely don’t want to serve it overdone (and in the case of turkey or ham, you don’t want it underdone). I swear by this meat thermometer. I obviously use it during Thanksgiving, but I cooked a beef tenderloin for pre-Christmas celebration and it really got the job done.
Thymes Frasier Fir Air Freshener
This is great to put in the main bathroom your guests will be using. It will mask most “smells” and it’s a little classier than having Poo-Pourri sitting out. I have been buying Thymes products for years and you can always count on them for quality and great scents. This Frasier Fir scent is one of my favorites!
Linwnil 4-Piece Christmas Cheese Knives
Inevitably, almost every party ends up with some sort of charcuterie board. Even if yours has pre-sliced cheeses, these Christmas cheese knives add a special little festivity to any board.
Metallic Martini Glasses
I don’t serve martini’s all that often so the thought of buying holiday themed martini glasses seems like a bit of a waste. These metallic gold martini glasses, however? Yes! They are classy and so much more festive than the average glass martini glass and can be used for everything from anniversary celebrations to holiday parties.
Homeries Marble Wine Chiller
Speaking of outfitting your bar with the right supplies, this is a beautiful wine chiller that will keep white, rosé, and sparkling wine chilled. The marble makes it look a. bit more upscale for your holiday soirees.
Christmas Tree Taper Candlesticks
Someone near and dear to me gave me Waterford candlestick holders for our wedding. When setting a holiday table, I love to use these Christmas Tree tapers in them. There is something so romantic and elegant about lit candlesticks on any table scape.
Wilprep Chafing Dishes
Feeding a big group and need to keep the food hot? Meet your new favorite friend, chafing dishes. It’s a total bummer when you’ve been cooking all that food only to have it cool off by the time people start making plates. Bonus? If you need to fit several dishes on a table, the chafing dishes are raised, allowing for more room for other serving platters and bowls.
Santa Scalloped Appetizer Plates
When I was decorating for Christmas this year, I noticed a lot of my Christmas decor included various Santas – figurines, pillow motifs, you name it. Naturally, I gravitated toward these adorable appetizer plates featuring Santa in various forms of transportation. These can also double as salad plates!
Antlers Holiday Cocktail Napkins
While I prefer fabric reusable napkins on a dinner table (they look a bit more elevated and are better for the environment), I usually go the paper route for cocktails and appetizers. This is another design that while it’s festive, it can be used for almost any holiday celebration from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve.
Spode Christmas Pitcher
I have a Spode pitcher in the actual shape of a Christmas Tree and for the life of me, I cannot find it anywhere to share with you. So this is my next favorite. Pitchers. are super handy to have on-hand to refill water glasses at any party, but this pretty little gal also looks festive sitting out during a party.
Amazon Echo Dot
So you’ve got your holiday playlist queued up, but you need to be able to play it! Put an Amazon Echo Dot in any room you’ll have guests celebrating and sync up the tunes. Music is 100% necessary to any good celebration. Even if it’s turned down low, it’s essential to create the whole vibe you’re going for. Go on – blast that Bing Crosby.
Ceramic Deviled Egg Platter
We are big fans of deviled eggs in our family and my sister-in-law makes the best! This ceramic Christmas tree platter makes me laugh. It’s a whimsical way to display a classic appetizer.
Christmas Oven Mitts & Pot Holders
If you’re hosting a holiday celebration, there is no doubt you’re in and out of the oven. I don’t know about you, but my oven mitts and pot holders are strewn about the kitchen as I get the food ready. Why not have holiday-themed holders?
Red Wine Stain Remover
I hosted a holiday gathering when we first moved into our house, and as if on cue, someone spilled a glass of red wine all over the couch that had been delivered the week prior. Man, I wish I had this stain remover then . I keep this on-hand at most parties, but especially holiday parties when red wine is a popular beverage.
Santa Coasters
Protect that furniture with these adorable Santa coasters. Great for drinks of all sizes, if you spread these around on different table tops, your guests will get the hint that they need to use them!
Decorative Serving Tray
I love using several different serving trays during a party. Do you have an ottoman in your living room? Set down a serving tray with a bowl of nuts, some cheese, and crackers. Everyone wants coffee after dinner? Load a tray full of mugs of coffee and walk around to hand them out. Trays have endless uses.
Nordic Fair Isle Mugs
That coffee I just mentioned that folks like to have after a big dinner? These Nordic fair isle mugs are the cutest, coziest, festive-iest thing to serve in.
Villeroy & Boch Cake Plate
No holiday party is complete without a sweet ending. I like to put this cake plate out for whatever dessert is the focus. It doesn’t have to be a cake. I put cupcakes, cookies, mini cheesecake bites, or pie on this cake plate. Love it.
Effortless Entertaining Tips
The secret to memorable holiday hosting isn’t doing everything yourself, it’s making everything feel easy. The most inviting gatherings always have an effortless rhythm to them, as if the host just casually threw everything together (even if a little or A LOT of planning happened behind the scenes).
Start by editing your menu. You don’t need five appetizers, five mains, and a homemade dessert spread. Choose one or two signature items you’re excited about and let everything else be simple or store-bought. A beautiful cheese board, bakery cookies on a vintage-looking dessert plate, or a well-chosen frozen appetizer can be just as impressive as anything homemade especially when presented thoughtfully.
Speaking of presentation, serveware does the heavy lifting. Everyday chips look better in a stoneware bowl, pour nuts into a small pedestal dish, or transfer drinks into a glass pitcher. These small swaps elevate even the most casual foods and eliminate the need for constant fussing once guests arrive.
Another effortless hosting trick? Create “zones” around your home. A self-serve bar area lets guests help themselves, while a dedicated snack station keeps people mingling rather than hovering in the kitchen. When guests can naturally flow from one space to another, the party feels relaxed and you’re freed up to actually enjoy it.
Finally, remember that the most important element of any gathering is how it feels. Soft lighting, background music (ahem that Amazon Echo Dot), and a calm host set the tone more than a perfectly executed menu ever could. Light the candles, pour yourself a drink, and let things unfold naturally. Guests don’t remember if the napkins matched, they remember feeling welcome.
Effortless entertaining isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating a warm, beautiful space where everyone (including you) can settle in and stay awhile. Happy Holidays, everyone!
Disclaimer: The Betty Edit is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you purchase something through the links above, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. I’m a former digital marketer turned stay-at-home mom looking to make a few extra bucks for coffee runs and new books. I only recommend products I genuinely like, use, or come recommended by trusted friends. Thank you for supporting me!