Get Your Guests in the Christmas Spirit with these Party Hosting Tips
The festive season is here! And with it comes inviting friends and family into our homes for joyous celebrations. Whether it’s your first time hosting at Christmas or you’re a seasoned host looking to go the extra mile, we spoke with the experts from five-star hotel The Grand, York, to share their steps for hosting the merriest Christmas get-together of them all.
Step 1: Create a warming atmosphere
Dylan Cottrill, Guest Relations Manager at the five-star hotel, says, “When hosting friends or family over the festive period, it’s really about creating an atmosphere that feels warm, relaxed, and special, where people can unwind and enjoy being together. For this, it’s the small details that make all the difference and can turn a simple get-together into something memorable.”
Dylan recommends getting your home ready for guests with gentle festive music and a hint of scent, something festive such as pine or orange, and a few simple decorations like a wreath, candles or fairy lights. Follow this by greeting guests at the door with a smile and a glass of something seasonal to bring a welcoming feeling across all the senses.
“As the get-together goes on, think about what your guests may need before they ask – extra blankets, something to eat, or even things like the Wi-Fi password or where to find the bathroom – showing this extra attention makes for a real five-star host.” Dylan says. “Aim to keep things easy and informal; a relaxed host sets the mood, and encouraging guests to help themselves will make them feel comfortable.”
“As a final touch, as your guests are leaving, share a small gift with them – it is Christmas after all! Something with a personal touch, perhaps a few homemade biscuits, a candle, or even a handwritten note, is a simple way to show care and attention without feeling overdone.”
Step 2: Embrace the “spirits” of Christmas
Lauren Campey, Food and Beverage Services Manager at The Grand York, suggests, “Set the scene with a signature cocktail and try to balance the offering of other drinks to include something sparkling, something warming, and non-alcoholic options.
“For a festive party, start with the classic glass of champagne for something sparkling, and a brandy-based cocktail for that warming sensation. One of my favourites is a Christmas Pudding and Custard Cocktail, which is advocaat, brandy and Pedro Ximenez. It combines flavours reminiscent of alcoholic custard and looks amazing in the glass; it’s always a winner at this time of year.”
As the host, pre-batch where you can, to save time; and Lauren recommends mocktails or fruit punch being great for this. There are some amazing non-alcoholic spirits available now too, which can be substituted for the alcohol in the majority of cocktails, and for the festive season, you can lean into warm spices such as cinnamon, and orchard fruits such as apple, cranberry and pear for a truly Christmassy flavour.
Lauren says, “Once you’ve got the drinks planned, make sure you have the right glasses to serve them in. Glassware really matters for that five-star appeal, and making sure a drink is served in the correct, chilled glass is important.”
“Garnishes can really make a drink and tie it together visually for that finishing touch to impress. One way to make the garnish extra special is to freeze it within the ice cubes – berries and herbs are brilliant for this. Garnish ice cubes are easy to make and instantly elevate the presentation of the drink, with a timely, frosty, festive appearance for Christmas.” She says.
Step three: Prepare a feast of festive flavours
Kevin Bonello, Executive Chef at the five-star hotel and Legacy, says, “When it comes to the food, you need to start by establishing the final number of expected guests and any dietary requirements they may have, as this will heavily influence the menu. Ideally, you want to create a menu that mostly consists of items that can be prepared in advance, leaving only the plating and reheating for the time of the event, so you can spend as little time in the kitchen and more time entertaining your guests as possible!“
Planning ahead is also crucial to make sure you can gather the highest quality ingredients, at least 10-14 days in advance, especially over the festive period where stocks of traditional favourites may run low.
“Start with a selection of hot and cold small plates, as these are perfect for sharing and encouraging conversation, then move on to the grand main course: a whole roast of meat or poultry such as a sirloin, pork crown, or the classic Christmas turkey and trimmings.” Kevin says. “The key to a five-star meal is the statement presentation, something that leaves guests in awe – a whole roast bird is a spectacle on its own, but paired with all the trimmings, it’s a real winner.”
“Finish with a seasonal showstopper for dessert to leave a lasting impression on your guests. My favourite is a chestnut and vanilla bread pudding served with silky custard, the perfect comfort dessert ideal for cold winter days. It’s easy to prepare but full of flavour and something a little different to help your meal stand out.”