The ultimate guide to entertaining in style this Christmas

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

 

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

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

Lean 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!"