11 Tips to Ace Holiday Season Hosting This Year
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Holiday season hosting can feel overwhelming. Between planning the menu, getting the house ready, and figuring out how to set a holiday dinner table that feels festive rather than fussy, you’ve certainly got your hands full! But the good news is, you don’t need a picture-perfect spread to wow your guests. The key to making the most of your holiday gathering is to focus on what matters most: a cozy atmosphere, good food, and a few simple festive decorations to pull it all together.
Whether you’re hosting a big family celebration or a small dinner party for friends, a few smart shortcuts and intentional touches go a long way. Think family-style dishes that make serving a cinch, a holiday dinner table set with pieces you already love, and just a sprinkle of sparkle or greenery as a nod to the spirit of the season. With these easy holiday season hosting ideas, entertaining this year will feel a little less stressful—and a whole lot more joyful.
1. Prepare a Bathroom Basket for Guests
The bathroom is one of the most-used spaces during any gathering—yet we often think of it last. Make guests feel welcome by setting out a small basket with essentials like tissues, hand lotion, extra toilet paper, breath mints, and a stain remover pen. Not only does this keep guests comfortable, but it also saves you from having to run around refilling things mid-party. You can even make the space feel festive and cozy with a seasonal candle or holiday-themed hand towel. They’re small details, but ones that guests will always notice.
2. Create a “Landing Zone” for Coats, Shoes, and Bags
When guests arrive, you don’t want to have to scramble to find hangers or places to stash jackets. Setting up a designated area for people to drop their coats and other belongings will help guests feel welcome and ensure you’re not dealing with a giant pile of coats on the bed. (Just think how much smoother the end of the night will be!) A coat rack for jackets, a basket for scarves and hats, and a simple bench for shoes is really all you need to keep things feeling tidy and thoughtful.
3. Prep Food Ahead of Time
If there’s one thing you can do to save yourself from stress while your guests are arriving, it’s prepping your holiday food beforehand. Any dishes that can be made a couple days in advance, like casseroles, stews, gravies, pies, and more, will help cut down on cooking time day-of. That way, you can just pop them into the oven before guests come over and focus more on the holiday party you’re hosting.
4. Curate Your Perfect Playlist
The perfect party deserves the perfect playlist! Collect your favorite holiday songs or classics and create a Spotify or Apple Music playlist. (Drew and Jonathan shared some of their favorite holiday songs here!) Start the playlist right when you wake up that morning to boost your mood—your guests will be rockin’ around the Christmas tree all night, and it’ll set the tone for a fun and festive evening as soon as they arrive.
5. Give Out Festive Party Favors
Are party favors necessary? Not always. But do they make the holiday party so much cuter for guests? Absolutely. Go with a themed candy, some fun and functional piece with a holiday motif, or even gift your guests with an adorable ornament keepsake. Adding in a festive party favor is a sweet way of saying thank you to your guests, and makes everyone feel special.
6. Declutter and Toss What You Don’t Need
While it can be tempting to hold onto the items you have tucked away in your closet for just the right occasion, odds are, if you aren’t using them now, you probably won’t use them anytime soon. The fewer random knickknacks and unfinished projects you have to juggle, the easier it will be to actually clean and organize the rest of your space. Be it adding in some underbed storage or finally tackling the kitchen cabinets, getting the clutter out of sight will help keep your space looking clean for guests.
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7. Give the House a Deep Clean
When you’re switching between your normal and seasonal decor, take advantage of the transition time to vacuum, dust, and wipe down every surface. This is probably the barest your house has been in a while, so it will be easier to reach all the nooks and corners where mess likes to build up. A good quality vacuum or vacuum mop can take your home from clean to sparkling real quick.
8. Spruce Up the Entryway for a Good First Impression
No matter what type of get-togethers you have planned this season, every guest is going to have to pass through your entryway. So if your time is limited, deck the halls of your doorway so they feel the seasonal joy right away. This can be as simple as adding a festive wreath to the front door or placing a holiday doormat at the foot of the doorway. That little touch of holiday spirit goes a long way, and sets the tone for the rest of the evening.
9. Plan Well So You Can Enjoy the Party, Too
The more mouths you have to feed, the more important it is to make sure that any drinks and refreshments are easily accessible. If you don’t want to play bartender the entire night, then a well-organized bar cart can allow guests to serve themselves. Similarly, strategically placing serving trays around a space can keep crowds from clustering around just one or two spots.
10. Create a Place to Rest and Relax
Seating is another issue that can come back to bite you if you’re not prepared. While most guests will appreciate simply having a place to rest their feet, you can really make them feel comfortable by arranging different clusters of seats to suit their needs. Let those looking to keep the party going lounge in the room with the music and set up space near the fire for those having quiet conversations.
11. Tidy Up the Guest Room
If any of your visitors are staying overnight, then don’t forget to prep your guest room for the holiday season. On top of having clean sheets and a comfy spot to rest their head, we have a few extra tips on how to make them feel as if they have a home away from home. A few simple luxuries will make for a more peaceful stay, and the extra thoughtful touches are an easy way to show your hospitality.
Holiday Hosting Q+A
How to host for the holidays on a budget?
When it comes to throwing a holiday party, there are a few things that matter most: good food, good drinks, and even better company—all of which can be done on a budget. Start by planning your menu around family-style dishes like soups, pastas, casseroles, or big salads, and ask guests to bring a side, dessert, or drink to share. You can also cut down on costs by using what you already have for decor: Candles you own, greenery or pinecones from the yard, or a few ornaments in a pretty bowl can look just as festive as something new and expensive. Top it off with little touches like holiday music, cozy lighting, and a few simple seasonal decorations, and you’ve got all the makings of an unforgettable holiday bash.
How do you make a holiday menu everyone likes?
What are some good holiday party themes?
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D&J Editors
Tierney McAfee
Tierney McAfee is a writer and editor with a passion for all things home, lifestyle, and entertaining. Her work has been featured in People, Country Living, The Pioneer Woman, The Spruce, and more, covering everything from interior design and holiday decor to DIY projects and the best products for home and lifestyle. Always in search of the next big trend or hidden gem, Tierney is all about transforming inspiration into style. When she’s not busy writing, she’s testing out new recipes, hunting for vintage treasures, or plotting her next outfit.
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