Christmas means many things: indulgent food and drink, shopping for presents and, of course, festive parties. If you're hosting this year, you may feel that holiday stress is unavoidable; the experts, however, are here to make your life just that little bit easier with their tips and tricks. From how to put together a guest list (without the drama) and what to wear, to decorating and curating a party playlist, we've asked our favourite tastemakers for their advice. So this year, all you need to do is take stock—and enjoy the party. How to curate a guest list by Ivana Giachino, talent and event strategist and founder of Lo Studio Mix up different social groups "When I create a guest list for a client, I always ensure I have the right mix of people that know each other, as well as a mix of new and talented individuals. I am always looking for fresh names and personalities—exciting faces that would add a different layer to any conversation. If I'm making my own dinner party list, I would always invite some old and new friends and ask someone to bring a guest... preferably someone I have never met. It's always nice to ensure you have an eclectic list where everyone can meet new people. When seating your guests, mix it up: never sit couples together and ensure you know who gets on with who!" Don't over-invite "Always keep the number for a personal get-together to 20 people, maximum. Intimate is best—it means you can speak to everyone and make the occasion memorable. However, I always allow a plus one... I mean, who wants to go out alone these days? You always need a plus one, no matter what!" Consider your invitations "I send out digital invitations only, but I try to make them fun and appealing. There's no need for paper invitations; we should all try to reduce our waste." How to deal with no-shows "I always confirm guests three times, including on the day of the event. The most frustrating issue is when people cancel one hour before a dinner, which can be problematic, but there is a solution to everything: simply take away a seat and make the table smaller. No one else need ever know." What to wear by Rosie Arkell-Palmer, fashion editor at Harper's Bazaar View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonia Jo Jacquet. (@soniajacquet) View this post on Instagram A post shared by SHOPPING WITH DALI (@shoppingwithdali) There's no such thing as too much "When it comes to Christmas I believe in excess in all areas. It's impossible to be overdressed when entertaining at Christmas, so pile on the sequins, feathers and sparkles. My go-to brand for OTT occasionwear is Taller Marmo. Their billowing dresses with tasselled trims and feathers are very forgiving at this over-indulgent time of year." But stick to your personal style "If head-to-toe sparkle is too much for your minimalist taste then take notes from the Valentino couture show and pair a simple shirt with statement diamanté earrings and a fun shoe for a more subtle touch of festive cheer." How to set your table by Laura Jackson, presenter, writer and founder of Glassette View this post on Instagram A post shared by Flowersliving 🌸 Marta Petrioli (@flowersliving) Keep things simple, seasonal and sustainable "I try to keep things really simple at Christmas. If I'm doing a full roast dinner with a turkey then I'll try and get ahead as much as possible, so I can just enjoy the day. I love crackers (I’ve actually made my own this year) and I love seasonal decorations. I’ve got a box of Christmas stuff which I get out year after year, and I always buy a new bauble. This year, I got myself a really nice lemon slice from Glassette. "I've also got some dried hops which I've put over my fireplace; I'm hoping to use them again next year, and change them up by adding holly, berries and other bits and bobs. I love the fact that it’s a dry arrangement I can reuse." Consider lighting "Candles are so important. I really like to use a mixture of candles to create lots of different heights, a sense of ambiance, and add structure to the table. I'll combine really long candles, tea lights and tapers too—I like using loads of each." Add personal touches "I don’t have matching crockery, just because I usually have lots of people bringing different dishes. This year I'm probably going to do a handmade menu and get the kids to add to it too—I always feel like they stay at the table longer when they feel as though they’ve played a part and added to the decorations." Above all, don't worry too much "Do tablescapes need to be elaborate? Absolutely not! There are no hard or fast rules when doing a table; I honestly think it’s just about making the best of what you’ve got. There’s a lot of pressure to do things for other people and make everything look incredible, but ultimately, the most important thing is that you spend quality time with the people you love the most." Decorating with festive flowers by Whitney Bromberg Hawkings, founder of Flowerbx Courtesy of Petersham NurseriesLean in to garlands and wreaths "A wreath on the front door is always the first piece of decor I choose, as I like it to guide the floral palette across the rest of my home. In recent years, I’ve seen so many more people having fun with their festive wreath choices, adding luxe touches to classic designs to really show their own personal style. Wreath season is one of our favourites at Flowerbx, and I love to dream up fresh takes with my team of florists, whether that's experimenting with new shades of velvet ribbon bows or collaborating with popular brands. One of my top tips when it comes to wreaths is to think beyond your front door, as a wreath can also make a beautiful piece of statement Christmas decor on a chimney breast or signature wall, as well as doubling up as a long-lasting centrepiece for holiday soirées. "Foliage garlands are one of my go-to festive decorations, and there’s nothing like the real thing, so I always opt for fresh over faux. There’s nothing quite like the scent of fresh eucalyptus or pine filling your home throughout the season, and garlands are surprisingly versatile. Weave up a staircase, drape over a mantlepiece, or team with taper candles as a table runner—the choices are endless!" Always opt for seasonal blooms where possible "The flowers I use to decorate indoors always mirror nature’s mood, and Christmas is no different. Seasonal foliage like berried eucalyptus, pine and fir are all instant hits, while flower-wise, I turn to winter wonders like dainty anemones and ranunculus, alongside the first flurry of the season’s tulips, frilled carnations and—of course—ruby red ilex branches. "For me, flowers will always be the ultimate mood-setter, and my top tip is to keep your floral choices as curated as possible. Choosing an abundance of stems in the same shade or variety is an easy way to emulate a considered party look, whether that be in large vase arrangements creating a central display, or dotted along a dinner table in dainty bud vases. "Creating a party atmosphere is all about flow, so nod to your table decor in the hallway or sitting room to help a space feel cohesive. Once you’ve nailed this concept, you’ll be able to turn to it at every party you host—no matter the colour scheme, theme, or occasion." And if you're not hosting, flowers make the perfect gift "I often opt to send flowers after an occasion, to truly show my appreciation and how much I’ve enjoyed the hospitality—but naturally, I don’t like to show up empty-handed at the party, either! Bringing a smaller gift—like 20 stems of something seasonal, a fragrant candle or small houseplant—can be a lovely gesture for your host, to be followed by a wow-factor bouquet they can really enjoy once the party is over. Right now, I’m sending everyone our Super Bouquet in festive red." How to be a good hostess by Shiza Shahid, social activist and co-founder of Our Place Moviestore/Shutterstock//ShutterstockMake your life easier by streamlining your kitchen "I love bringing people together around food, especially during the holidays. The Our Place ethos is all about the joy and ease of cooking and hosting. I cook in my Always Pan and Perfect Pot, and place them straight onto the table—no serving dishes required. After all, luxury is simplicity. I serve drinks in our Party Coupes—perfect for wine, cocktails, or any spritz; no one needs to be sorting through seven different styles of glassware! I cook most things in my oven, so I don't have to watch the stove. And I wear our fashionable Hosting Apron that we launched with Selena Gomez, because I want to feel chic even while I'm cooking." Activities and games are your friend "While delicious food is important, the true joy of hosting is in creating memories, so I also try to break out some card games, designed for delightful conversations at the dinner table. It's a brilliant way to ensure a good time, and keeps everyone off those topics that could spark arguments..." Cook something you're confident making "This isn't the time to try something new. Roasted salmon with a miso glaze is my personal go-to—10 minutes in the oven, and I have my main course ready to go! I like to add roasted veggies, balsamic-glazed brussels sprouts, chaat-masala dusted smashed potatoes and a green salad." Curating a party playlist by Clara Amfo, BBC Radio presenter Bazmark Films/Warner Bros/Kobal/ShutterstockWhat to consider when choosing your music "I want something that is not going to overpower the room, but that will also lovingly force people into a singalong when the moment is right. I try to choose a selection of songs that aren't necessarily all festive, but that are going make people feel connected and happy to be in my home. Personally, I like a mixture of soul classics, modern pop and R&B, plus some unapologetically on-the-nose Christmas tunes. For me, music is essential to help set the tone of an event: it's a conversation-starter and puts people at ease. I love the sound of bustling conversation with a great song underneath and, of course, it encourages people to dance. No one is sitting still at a party of mine!" How loud should you go? "On a volume scale of one to 100, I think 50 is safe. Just loud enough that you can catch the melody and beat for dancing, but quiet enough to have a good chat or a festive flirt. In terms of speakers, I am partial to Sonos; the designs are equally cool and elegant." Here are the songs I'd recommend right now... Dua Lipa, 'Houdini': a fab return to form and a reason to dance, it's like the dark B side of her song for the Barbie movie. Beyonce, 'Renaissance': I am cheating here by suggesting an entire album, but it's fed us so much this year! I've seen some great TikToks of people making Renaissance-themed Christmas trees, so it's festive too. Mariah Carey and John Legend, 'When Christmas Comes': an underrated Christmas song in her canon. Their voices are gorgeous together. Donny Hathaway, 'This Christmas': like your favourite Christmas jumper, his tone is so warm and comforting. Olivia Dean, 'Ladies Room': it's her ode to women bonding in said ladies rooms and I know that is the number one activity at office Christmas parties! Janelle Monae, 'Float': their album was in my top five this year and, as we look ahead to the New Year, I love the sentiment of this. Mette, 'Van Gough': this woman is definitely one to watch for 2024. This has classic 1980s Prince energy but is still modern and slick. Darlene Love, 'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)': one of the original Queens of Christmas and backing singer of some mega classics—learn more about her story in the brilliant documentary 20 Feet From Stardom. What to cook at Christmas by Tim Siadatan, chef director of Trullo Courtesy of Simon RoganChoose a lavish canapé "It’s extravagant, but a great nibble on arrival is just caviar, salty crisps and a bit of creme fraiche. No blinis—salted crisps all the way, or plain Pringles are quite good as well. I also get oysters in at this time of year and lobster—the sorts of things that I wouldn't normally treat myself to. This is the time of year that you're allowed to do it." Think outside the box with your menu "One thing I really love doing is a big pasta dish on a massive platter of beautiful shellfish. Think fruits de mer but with spaghetti, on a massive platter, with clams, mussels and lobster. I make a shellfish stock from the shells of the lobster, then cook the spaghetti in the lobster stock, and get that all on a plate in a tomatoey, fishy sauce. Add loads of parsley and then pile all of the shellfish on top. Then just put it in the middle of the table and ask people to get stuck in." Don't spend all your time in the kitchen "The key to successful hosting is not cooking when the group is there. So get ahead: make things that you can prepare the day before or earlier, so that when guests arrive, you just need to reheat things. You certainly don't want to be prepping just before people come, because it gets you in a flap and it's just not worth it. I find that cooking at the last minute can be incredibly stressful, especially if you’re not a well-trained chef or don’t cook often." How to recover the next day by Sarah Chapman, beauty specialist and skin technician Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate "Unsurprisingly, hydration is key during the Christmas party season to both prevent and treat the dulling and drying effects of too much alcohol and sugar—not to mention the stress of holiday shopping. I aim to drink at least two litres of water a day, supporting this healthy habit with topical hydration; think hyaluronic acid-rich formulas like my Intense Hydrating Booster and 3D Moisture Infusion Mask. Omegas such as flaxseed oil are another fantastic way to lock in moisture and keep skin smooth and radiant throughout the festivities. You can also find nourishing Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in fish like mackerel, trout and salmon, as well as in one of my favourite Christmas treats: walnuts." Give yourself an at-home massage "When it comes to post-party skincare, my top tip is to spend a few minutes in the morning working the skin with your fingertips and knuckles. If you’ve woken up with a puffy, tired face after one too many cocktails—or mince pies—a massage will help boost blood flow and circulation, bringing back a healthy, natural radiance while helping to release toxins from your lymph nodes." Book a boosting facial "If you're looking for a more intense skin boost, I would recommend trying the newly launched DeepGlow+ Meso Facial at my Chelsea Clinic. It incorporates the visibly rejuvenating benefits of Mesotherapy in an innovative way that makes you feel relaxed and wonderfully cared for." Lead image credit: HBO Also read: A step by step guide to creating the most enchanting Christmas tree Also read: 6 homegrown candles to light up your christmas spirit!
