Be the hostest with the mostest this Christmas
From intimate gatherings to sophisticated soirées with a 100-strong guest-list, however you plan on entertaining this festive season, our exclusive hosting guide will ensure your attendees are left in awe from start to finish…
DEFINE YOUR BUDGET
Before you even start thinking about the canapés you’ll serve and the cocktails you’ll shake, you first need to identify your budget and stick to it. Divide your total budget into categories; food, drink, decor, and any additional costs, and ensure you stick to it. Keep recipes, as it’s harder to disregard your spending when you have hard proof in hand.
GUEST LIST
Hosting can be stressful enough, so it certainly pays to give thorough consideration to your guest list. You need to think about who will gel with whom–particularly if a seating plan is involved. In an ideal situation, each attendee should know at least one person other than yourself who they can speak to initially while you’re topping up drinks or preparing food.
It also pays to invite people you know are comfortable leading conversations. “If you invite engaging people, you and your guests will have a good time'', confides Eric Garnier, General Manager of Edinburgh’s favourite eatery, The Ivy on the Square. “I’d also suggest, for larger events, inviting 20% more guests than you want, as you’ll inevitably have last-minute drop outs”.
INVITATIONS
Nothing sets the tone for an occasion quite like the invitation. If you want to create an occasion your guests will remember, forgo group chats and invest in the real thing. “Use your stationery to give a hint to the decor of your theme; be it fresh foliage, crisp white, or traditional red and gold”, suggests Kirsty Brannagan, the skilled pen behind Edinburgh-based calligraphy company, Olivia Hope Calligraphy.
DRESS CODE
Seldom does the opportunity present itself to properly dress up, which is why we suggest making the most of this one. If you do send out invites, ensure you make your desired dress code clear.
There’s no harm in suggesting garments either; "ties aren't essential but very much appreciated”, for example.
MUSIC
Your guests will take their cues from the music you play. If you want refined, engaged conversation, keep the tempo low, but not so low that it sends them into a slumber. If you want dancing, choose songs with an easy to follow beat with a subtle bass undertone, so as not to drive your neighbours up the wall. The key is to create a tasteful playlist that includes a mix of genres; this will stop the atmosphere from becoming stale.
If budget and space allow, entertainment can be wonderful. Whether you favour a jazz singer or a DJ, it gives your evening a real talkability factor and will mark it in your guests’ memories for years to come.
DECORATIONS
You’ll be pleased to hear that, when it comes to party decor, less is most definitely more. If you want to adorn the outside of your home, stick to warm white lighting—definitely skip the icicle variety. On your door, a simple wreath or spruce branches held together at the stems with cream ribbon will suffice. Then inside, fill jars and vases with foliage and berries—either white or red, depending on your preference—and place on every empty surface.
LIGHTING
As far as ambience goes, lighting is just as important (if not more so) than music. If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace, use it. Overhead lighting should remain off—instead, let light spill out from underneath floor lights, low-slung lampshades, candles, and simple Christmas tree lights.
FOOD
For bigger gatherings where a sit-down dinner just isn’t possible, instead consider creating a bountiful grazing table instead. We spoke with Gaynor Kay, founder of The Good Graze, who specialises in blending centrepiece styling with delicious food here.
DRINKS
Drinks are often a stumbling point for many hosts, with cost proving to be a major concern for most. That said, you don’t need a full-stocked bar to appease. Beer and wine are essential, and there’s hardly a drink that can’t be mixed without either vodka, gin, or whisky.
“Christmas-themed drinks are always fun and make for an Instagrammable shot”, advises Ben Iravani, owner of Aberdeen’s most glamorous cocktail bar, Orchid. Allow your guests to do the hard work by creating a garnish station, stocked with everything from cinnamon and berries to lemon wedges and rosemary sprigs.
FAVOURS
You needn’t be made of money to give your guests a memento to take home at the end of the night. You don’t want something they’ll simply stuff in a drawer when they get home, which is why food is an excellent option. Why not bake cookies, parcel them up in paper, and tie them with twine?