I put out a call on Insta to see if anyone needed help hosting the holidays, and got a lot of great responses. There were some questions that came up a few times as well, so I’ve put together these Q&As in hopes of helping you prepare for a smooth, stress-free hosting season. It can be intimidating to have everything ready, but trust me, your guests are there to see you and not your perfectly set table. You can do this!
Serving plate Arch panels | Dishes | stem glasses | velvet ribbon | Red Taper Candlesticks | Striker of the match Striped tablecloth (similar) | Garland | Dining chairs | wallpaper | Gallery Wall | Wall sconce | chandelier
“Do you know any good ready-made meals?”
We – and I mean Chris 😉 – often make our caramelized onion frittata the day before and bake it the day before or make a big batch of protein-rich breakfast rolls. Chris will prepare batches of his Mexican Marinated Chicken Casserole which can either be in individual portions or one large batch for eight people. Swedish meatballs are a delicious dinner this time of year and are easy to prepare in advance and reheat in the crock pot.
“What vegetarian dishes will you serve?”
They may not be traditional holiday dishes, but Chris’s glass noodles with crunchy chili peppers and mushrooms are dynamite. He also has a stir-fry dish with cauliflower rice (can use regular rice) that is full of flavour. You can also make nachos using a couple of cans of black beans instead of ground beef!
“Can you share some easy breakfast and lunch ideas?”
I love this question! It’s all about putting things on the table with the least amount of effort and time. You can have sausages and eggs baked in one pan on the table in about 30 minutes. You can also make a crunchy Chris Cucumber Salad and serve it over quinoa or farro to make it a light and delicious lunch. Friends still rave about this!
“What are some easy food ideas?”
Oval plate | Dish towel (similar) | Cocktail skewers
You should try the seasoned pork chops (made in 5 minutes and feed a crowd) or the white bean dip in a skillet – they’re a great appetizer. If you want an easy lunch that’s fresh and bright, you can serve these grilled chili shrimp with a big salad. Or try a masterpiece like this easy overnight pork. For dessert, this mixed berry dump cake is delicious and takes minutes to prepare before it goes in the oven.
“What should I do for a large crowd?”
A few years ago, Chris prepared a feast featuring tender beef (7 pounds of meat serves 21 people), creamy mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, and a refreshing green salad with blue cheese crumbles (try these!) for a large dinner party we hosted. This easy overnight pork is perfect for the holidays. We put out a large meat board to keep people snacking before the meal. A baked potato bar is another great option (try my recipe for perfectly baked potatoes!) or a hot dog bar with lots of fun toppings.
“I need help setting the table!”
Shop in the dining room
I like to stick to a few basic colors, and even a monochromatic palette can look very classy. Such as tablecloths and napkins in shades of burgundy, emerald green or even warm gold. You can also make a two-color stripe, allowing one color to stand out such as red and white. I don’t like anything too fussy—it’s also a great look to mix and match dishes, silverware, and glassware, so you don’t feel like you have to get a whole set of anything. Add some taper candles at different heights for drama. And keep the flower arrangements low key so people can easily talk about them! Check out this guide to setting the table – from the basics to all-out drama!
“Do you have any ideas for a favor?”
A little token of the party or dinner is a fun way to commemorate that, like the Polaroid you took from them and their extra person. A roll of ribbon is festive and useful – you can put a piece of pie in a box to match! There are small poinsettia plants found in local garden stores that may also be sweet.
“What are your tips for overnight guests?”
Shop at the guest house
It’s so much fun to put together a guest basket full of things they may have forgotten as well as some things that will make their stay more comfortable (like a phone charger, dry shampoo, makeup wipes, and a pair of slippers!). I also like to pack a big plate of roasted meats so it’s ready when they arrive, so there’s a snack/dinner available for you so you can catch up and not be stuck in the kitchen. Check out these ideas to entertain them during their stay. If you’re turning a room into a temporary guest room, here are my tips!
“What should I do to the name tags?”
I used fresh, ripe pears, with a name tag taped around the stem. For something more casual, you could take mini Instax photos of guests as they arrive and write their names underneath to place on plates while they eat appetizers. I purchased a set of blank name cards from Amazon that comes in a set of 200. I write the names of the guests in cursive and use other cards to label items on the buffet.
“Help me find a good tablecloth!”
For me, I don’t necessarily want the tablecloth to steal the spotlight. I prefer to use a simple stripe or tartan pattern as a backdrop for my table settings. Just by layering in sparkly candlesticks (I love adding velvet bows to my candlesticks!) and some greenery, you’ll have a beautiful mix of elements that make the table shine.
Shop holiday tablecloths
“Where can I find beautiful serving utensils?”
We have a large, extended family, and Chris always goes all out for the holidays, so I tend to mix some festive dishes and serving pieces into my everyday dishes. I think it’s good to have a mix! Find a great holiday dish you love and make it the centerpiece. There is some beautiful holiday serveware out there but I think beautiful polished silver or gold looks elevated even if it’s not Christmas themed. Fun note: I didn’t have a pie server until recently, which is a luxury item. You can find vintage items online through Etsy and they are so beautiful.
Shop holiday serving tools
“What are some games that can be played with a large group?”
We like to play Chameleon with up to 8 players, and Clue Conspiracy and Take 5 with up to 10 players. If you have up to 12 players, try Wavelength, Nertz, and Telestrations Party (it surprises me every time). And if you have a party, LRC Wild, Like Minds, Really Loud Librarians, and Yahtzee can accommodate an unlimited number of players!
“What are some ideas for holiday activities?”
Artificial gingerbread houses
Here are some activity ideas to help you have a good time with friends and family:
Do a taste test: Buy a batch of applesauce, hot chocolate, or eggnog and get little cups that you can label so people can vote on their favorites. Even kids love this! Plan something outside: It can feel a little claustrophobic if you’re stuck inside, so go for an evening walk to look at Christmas lights or set up a fire pit and roast some holiday drinks. If the weather is bad, you can always pack the car and caravan in the best Christmas lights in town. Set up a talent show: I mentioned in Love Letter (sign up here for future feedback!) that my family used to put on talent shows at our uncle’s house while we were growing up for some holidays. You can either prepare people in advance, or give them a last-minute touch, like pairing up with someone else at the event to do an interactive talent. We always laugh during the show. Make Gingerbread Houses: You can buy these kits at the store or even make faux gingerbread houses out of paper houses. This makes for a great outing for guests who drive by to see you. Plan a quiet activity: In moments when you need some relief, I like to grab a big Christmas puzzle, make something delicious in the crock pot, bring out some snacks, and play a Christmas movie in the background while we put the puzzle together. Host Christmas Karaoke: Get an inexpensive karaoke group or find an app, and belt out Bing Crosby to your heart’s content. Go to a Holiday Market: Many cities host holiday pop-ups based on European markets. It can be a lot of fun to window shop while sipping a comforting hot beverage. You may find a gem! Do a food “crawl”: Pick one food item (maybe chicken wings, or maybe Brussels sprouts) and go to a few restaurants around town that do that thing well. It’s so much fun to select the place that has your favorite shape.
What holiday hosting tips have you collected over the years? I’d love to hear from them!
