Tips for Stylish & Special Holiday Hosting
I have a confession: hosting dinners has always intimidated me. Growing up with potlucks and barbeques, I never saw my parents host a more formal sit-down dinner party. And while I’ve always loved playing mixologist and bringing friends together, I set an intention to expand out of my comfort zone this season and host 8 friends for a true feast for all the senses.
As I began prepping, I found modern hosting tips a little hard to come by. Sometimes the best way to learn is by doing. The two biggest takeaways I learned in the process?
Focus on the little, special details, and don’t be afraid to reach out to creative friends or experts for help!
Read on for all the party details and the tips I learned along the way.
Set The Table
Linens:
Ready to create a stylish table, I worked with the creative genius Joanna Williams of Kneeland Co. to invest in some new entertaining pieces and curate a gorgeous table design!
I love mixing and matching prints to create a spontaneous-looking table. It reads less stuffy, more improvised. A tablecloth helps unify everything, no matter how wild you get! I went with Gregory Parkinson Twilight Blossom tablecloth and napkins for the occasion – and many more to come!
Plating:
For plating, I start with a large plate or charger as my base and then have salad plated on top. This was the perfect opportunity to finally break out our Hermes china (a wedding gift!) but mixing and matching designs or plates you’ve collected through the years works well here, too.
Be sure to add two glasses per setting –– one for water, and one for wine. I picked up these special Murano Flamingo Glasses by Stories of Italy and Zenology stemware to make any drink feel special.
You’ll want guests to have everything they’ll need within arm’s reach, so be sure to include a bottle or pitcher of flat and sparkling water on the table, as well as a tiny bowl of sea salt and a pepper grinder at the ready.
Florals & Candles:
I brought in my bestie Kelin Henry for some beautifully foraged and locally sourced flower arrangements. Florals and greenery bring the table to life, and don’t have to cost much to make a big impact! Get creative and have fun with this – there’s just a few key tips to keep in mind:
Remember to keep centerpieces low so that you can make eye contact with your guests.
Try to avoid fragrant flowers on the table so they don’t compete with the food. Candles should also be scent free!
Joanna and I picked out these stunning Oaxacan Floral Candles in Violet Azalea that tied the linens and florals together and really took the tablescape to the next level!
Plan the Menu
Cocktail Hour:
We started the night with an easy to prepare go-to, the classic Aperol Spritz:
Fill a wine glass three-quarters of the way with ice. Pour in 2 ounces of Aperol, then top with 3-4 ounces of well-chilled prosecco. Add an ounce of sparkling water if desired. Garnish with an orange.
Dinner:
Ah, the main event! Whether you’re cooking, ordering in or hiring a chef, there are so many ways to make it special and memorable. I knew I didn’t want to stress over the food and decided to leave it to the experts – we hired the talented Chef Arturo Avallone to work his magic in the kitchen!
Surprises are fun, but not always at dinner parties. After landing on the menu, be sure to write or print out menu cards for the table so that guests know what to expect – and look forward to – that evening. Even if you order delivery, it feels like such a thoughtful touch. I grabbed our menu cards from Jonathan Wright.
Small Details that Set the Vibe
Music:
Music can make - or break - the vibe! Be sure to set aside some time before the party to curate a playlist that encapsulates the mood.
This is another area where I tapped into creative friends for their expertise – we created this Drinks + Dinner Spotify Playlist that nailed the vibe and set a beautiful backdrop for relaxed dinner conversation.
Elevated comforts:
You want guests to feel totally comfortable and at ease. Extending those special touches into the bathroom will do just that! Bring in a small floral arrangement or bud vase, keep a candle lit (our fave for this space is Le Labo Palo Santo) and make sure your hand soap (can’t go wrong with Aesop’s Reverence Aromatique) is fully stocked.
Parting Gifts:
Thank your guests with a little something special to take home. My absolute favorite items to gift are brought to life by talented women in fashion: Jennifer Fisher’s incredible Salt Trio, and Pia Baroncini’s Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
This is a great opportunity to shop small, support friends, or gift a luxe version of everyday staples that your guests are sure to use and enjoy regularly.
Plan Your Outfit
Perhaps the most fun part, right? This is your excuse to get dolled up and wear something fun! Don’t think you need to shell out for a totally new outfit – consider the fancy dress in the back of your closet, or borrow a piece that’s new to you.
Wanting to take a sustainable approach, I rented this Christopher John Rogers dress from the Albright Fashion Library in LA. Such a vibe. I paired it with Malone Souliers' Maureen 85 satin mules and my go-to Jennifer Fisher Jamma hoops.
A look like this deserves full glam, so I tapped Jesika Miller to do what she does best! If you’re going all out, consider hiring an expert or asking a skilled friend to help out so that you can take one less thing off your plate and focus on the other party details.
