With the Christmas season fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about festive parties and get-togethers. Whether you want a small intimate gathering or a big celebration, throwing the perfect Christmas dinner party requires careful planning and attention to detail.
To help you host the party of the season, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that covers all of the important aspects of hosting a festive dinner celebration. Let’s dive in and start planning the perfect party.
Setting The Stage
The holiday season can get busy, so it’s crucial to pick a date well in advance and send out invitations early. A simple Whatsapp message or group can be enough, or you may want to consider sending out physical invitations in line with your theme (if you have one).
Speaking of themes, while Christmas is a natural go-to, it can be a good idea to go in the opposite direction when everything in else in December is centred around the festivities. You could explore other creative options to set your dinner party apart. For instance, Pasta Evangelists have put together a guide on hosting an Italian dinner party, or if you don’t want to have themed cuisine, you could base it around dress code (think black tie or old Hollywood glamour) or an activity like a murder mystery evening.
Planning The Menu
Decide whether you want to go with traditional Christmas dishes or align your menu with the chosen theme. But remember not to allow the theme to take priority over practicalities — make sure you take into account any dietary restrictions or preferences your guests may have. Ensure that there are options for everyone, from canapés to desserts.
Serve a selection of festive drinks and cocktails to keep the spirits high, and make sure you have some tasty non-alcoholic options on offer too. Consider classic festive options like mulled wine and eggnog, or align the tipples to your theme of choice. For instance, if you’ve gone for Italian, you could serve up espresso martinis or winter-spiced negronis.
Shopping And Preparation
Once you have your menu planned out, make a detailed shopping list of everything you’re going to need. Aside from fresh ingredients that are best bought closer to the date, buy non-perishable items in advance to avoid last-minute stress if items are sold out.
It’s also advisable to create a cooking schedule to ensure that everything is ready on time for your guests. Prepare as much as possible in advance to reduce the workload on the day of the party. Remember you want to have a great time too, it’s not just for your guests.
Ambience And decoration
Whether you’re going for a festive theme or something entirely different, transform your space with cohesive and appropriate decorations.
Use ambient lighting, such as string lights, candles, or lanterns, to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Arrange a well-dressed table with elegant tableware, linens, and floral arrangements that complement the chosen theme. Personalised touches, such as place cards or small favours, add a thoughtful and memorable element.
To enhance the mood, incorporate subtle background music (although this will inevitably change into party songs as the drinks are flowing and things get more lively!)
Entertainment And activities
To foster connection, arrange seating in a way that encourages conversation between your guests. Then, plan activities to keep them engaged and entertained throughout the evening. You could incorporate games, like themed trivia or classic card games, or go for something more personalised like a secret Santa gift exchange.
Other ideas include hiring a live musician (if you have the budget), or setting up a DIY photo booth with props to encourage lighthearted moments and spontaneous snapshots.
Balancing these activities ensures that the entertainment enhances rather than overwhelms the dining experience, fostering a memorable and enjoyable evening for all attendees. Remember that personal touches and attention to detail can make a world of difference. If you need to keep it simple, that’s okay. The main thing is to create an environment where you can bring your friends together, eat, drink and be merry.
