Top tips: throwing the ultimate Christmas party

With the big day almost upon us, it’s time to gather your friends, family and loved ones to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.

If you’ve taken on the role as host this Christmas and want to organise a phenomenal gathering at home, follow our five top tips to pull off a memorable festive do.

Set the scene. Well executed Christmas décor never goes unnoticed. An extravagantly dressed tree, ambient lighting and jewelled tones will assist in creating a fun and festive atmosphere that will have your guests feeling oh so jolly.

Music is key. Of course, festive music is a must, but it’s also important to branch out. Create a playlist combining Christmas classics, party tunes and funky favourites to keep your guests engaged.

Go big on the buffet. Christmas is about making everybody welcome. Sit-down meals mean limiting the numbers, so ditch the fine China and put on a big spread instead. It’s fuss-free, less stress and makes it easier to cater to everyone’s tastes. A more relaxed format will also help you to enjoy your hosting duties while keeping partygoers well fed.

Utilise your space. Think about where you want guests to congregate: those spacious counter tops in the kitchen can carry the buffet you will be putting together; the comfort of your living area is perfect for guests who want to chill and engage in great conversation; will there be dancing in the kitchen later, or would you like to encourage guests out into the garden with mulled wine and a firepit for toasting marshmallows?

Entertain. At a basic level, good food, music and company are the key elements for a great party. But, with Christmas often bringing disparate groups together, planning some activities can help keep the festivity flowing. Games such as charades, Pictionary and Trivial Pursuit can bring people together, or planning a Secret Santa can provide an activity to bond over.