Must-have Essentials for Hosting Christmas in Style
Get ready for a stress-free holiday with must-have items for hosting Christmas. Find essentials to make your celebration festive and memorable.
Hosting Christmas this year?
Getting everything ready can seem a bit much, but it’s so worth it.
The key here is not to let the planning get the best of you.
Dive into Christmas hosting with a solid game plan for that holiday party, from setting up a dazzling Christmas dinner menu to decking the halls with holiday decorations that won’t break the bank.
Hosting Christmas is all about making those memories with family and friends, stress-free.
Let’s make this holiday one for the books, without you needing to spend a fortune or lose your mind in the process.
Sounds like a plan?
Let’s do it!
Your Ultimate Checklist for Hosting Christmas This Year
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Planning Your Guest List
Our best tip for tackling that guest list?
Get it sorted early. Knowing who’s coming makes everything from food to seating less of a headache.
Start with your A-list – those folks you absolutely want there. Then, if space allows, add a few more.
And of course, it’s always a good idea to plan for a couple of unexpected yeses.
When it comes to invites, we prefer to go digital.
So many sites out there make this a breeze, and it’s way kinder on the budget and the planet.
Plus, tracking RSVPs online is a no-brainer. Saves you chasing texts or lost invites.
Plus you could even put a spot on your RSVP for attendees to add any food allergies.
Deciding on the Menu
We like to start with crowd-pleasers, like a juicy roast that smells like the holidays, and then weave in some veggie options that even meat-eaters will dive into.
Don’t forget to throw in some classic sides – think fluffy mashed potatoes and honey-glazed carrots.
For those with dietary restrictions, a few tailored dishes will make them feel thought of, like a gluten-free stuffing or dairy-free dessert.
Crafting a menu that’s both inclusive and delicious is totally doable without stretching yourself too thin.
And what’s better than sharing a meal with all your favorite people around the holiday.
Festive Decorations
Our suggestion is to keep it real simple.
DIY decorations are a lifesaver. Grab the kiddos and make an afternoon of it.
Our favorite ideas are making paper snowflakes or homemade garlands from popcorn or cranberries.
Then, all that’s left is to add in the holiday lights.
Wrap them around banisters, drape them over the mantel, or stuff them in clear vases for an instant glow-up.
And of course, adding in your favorite candle scents will make your whole home feel and smell holiday ready.
Adding in some festive kitchen towels will bring it all together.
With these tips, you’ll be able to create a warm, welcoming vibe easily without stress or overspending.
Setting the Christmas Table
Our favorite way to set the Christmas table for a large group is to go disposable.
Ditch the worry over a mountain of dishes with disposable cutlery that still looks chic.
In our list below, we added in festive disposable napkins and cute napkin rings to add that luxe feel without the laundry hassle
The one thing we like to keep real, and not disposable is our plates. We chose some cute festive red plates that will look gorgeous on your table.
You can also add a splash of charm with cute mugs for that hot cocoa magic and marble coasters to protect your surfaces in style.
And, lastly, add a white ceramic pitcher vase as your centerpiece with flowers.
Creating a Holiday Ambiance
Cozy Christmas holiday party vibes? Yes please!
Here’s our short list to create the best ambiance.
- Holiday music
- Christmas scents, like cinnamon, pine, or even fresh-baked cookies with candles or a diffuser with holiday oils.
- Twinkle lighting
Keep it simple, and let the holiday cheer do its thing.
Entertaining Your Guests
If you’re looking for fun ways to entertain your guests, there are so many great Christmas party games.
They’re not just for kids!
You could do an ugly sweater contest or a festive quiz can get laughs without much prep.
And for something a bit more laid-back, you could have classic board games set up around the house.
We like to keep a couple of Christmas cocktail recipes up our sleeves too.
Not only does mixing up some holiday cheer keep your hands busy, but it also gives people something to gather around and chat about.
Bonus points if you can share a story or two behind the recipes.
And as we said above, never underestimate the power of a good holiday music playlist.
It fills in any gaps in conversation and sets the vibe.
These are great ideas to help you take it easy and focus on the fun.
Hosting Christmas Must Haves
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Here are all our favorite hosting Christmas must haves to help you set up the perfect party!
- Gold Plastic Silverware Set (160 Bulk Pack) Disposable Cutlery Utensils – Elegant and practical, this disposable silverware adds a touch of class to your holiday table without the cleanup.
- Embossed Reindeer Ceramic Mug, Set of 4 – Sip your favorite holiday drinks in style with these festive reindeer mugs.
- 100 Pcs Christmas Napkins, 3 Ply Christmas Paper Napkins – These durable napkins are perfect for keeping your table clean while adding holiday charm.
- Cheerful Optic Glasses with Gold Rim, Set of 4 – Serve drinks in these sophisticated glasses that feature a festive gold rim.
- Vintage Coffee Mugs Set of 2, 14 oz Embossed Glass Cups with Handle – These charming embossed glass mugs are perfect for cozy coffee or tea moments.
- Cork & Mill Marble Coasters Set of 6 – Protect your surfaces in style with these elegant handcrafted marble coasters.
- 12 Pcs Gold Napkin Rings-Metal Spiral – Add a luxurious touch to your table setting with these eye-catching gold napkin rings.
- Holly Jolly Ceramic 11 inch Dinner Plates, Set of 4 – Celebrate the season with these beautifully designed ceramic dinner plates.
- White Ceramic Pitcher Vase – This versatile ceramic pitcher doubles as a water jug or a stunning centerpiece vase.
- 3 Tier Ceramic Cake Stand – Display your holiday treats elegantly on this timeless ceramic cake stand.
- 12 Inches Stainless Steel Salad Server Sets with Salad Spoon and Fork – Serve salads with ease and style using this durable stainless steel server set.
- Kitchen Towel 100% Cotton Set of 3 – These absorbent and festive cotton towels are a kitchen essential for the holidays.
Christmas Hosting: Final Thoughts
We love hosting parties, but it’s important to remember that just because you are hosting, doesn’t mean you have to skip out on the fun.
Do as much preparation ahead of time to make sure you have enough energy and space to mingle and enjoy everything you created.
And when it comes time to clean up, you’ll be glad you went with mostly disposable, so you can finish your night with fun too!
What are your favorite Christmas hosting tips? Drop your ideas in the comments.
More Holiday Tips
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