Holiday Hosting: 9 Pro Tips From Prep to Clean-Up

Whether it’s your first time hosting for the holidays or you’ve been doing this for years, it’s always useful to learn new tips and tricks to make your life easier and your celebrations more successful. 

Today, we here at Snif have come up with a list of pro hosting tips ranging from prep to clean-up. You’ll be hosting the most memorable event of the year in no time at all.

How To Host the Holidays

Before you get started, remember that party planning and hosting should be fun. Go easy on yourself and don’t be afraid to get creative and try new things.

1. Stock Up on Essentials

The holiday season can get very busy. Save your future self a last-minute trip to the store and stock up on party essentials ahead of time. This includes items like plates, cups, utensils, napkins, and soap. 

If visitors are coming from out of town and staying at your home, make sure your guest room has everything they might need. This can include clean sheets, hand and body soaps, toothpaste, lotion, makeup remover, and toilet paper.

If you plan to do some baking and cooking, then we suggest stocking up on pantry staples, as well. This includes ingredients like salt, pepper, flour, sugar, baking powder, cooking oil, and eggs. 

2. Set the Mood

Create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere at your get-together to help set the mood. 

Play a cheerful playlist and light a few delicious-smelling candles around the space to help create the perfect ambiance. 

Need some ideas? Here’s a list of festive candles to consider using at your next holiday party:

• Apple Cider Smash: With sparkling apple cider, honeycrisp apple, warm donut accord, and madagascar vanilla, this apple cider candle is crisp, cozy, and nostalgic.

• Pumpkin Smash: Pumpkin spice, cinnamon stick, cardamom, and whiskey combine to create a sweet and inviting scent in this pumpkin candle.

• Lost Claus: Spicy, gourmand, and woody, this holiday candle is ready to spark some drama at the dinner table. 

• Old Saint Wick: This fresh-cut candle features Siberian pine and sandalwood for a merry and bright burn.

• Gingerbread Smash: With baked gingerbread, chai, cinnamon swirl, nutmeg, and frothy vanilla, this gingerbread candle brings you a delicious, luxe scent that’s sure to melt the holiday tension away. 

3. Design Your Tablescape

Designing your tablescape is one of the most important parts of a holiday gathering because this is where your loved ones will gather to enjoy each other’s company over a delicious meal. 

There are several different items that can be featured on the table including dinner plates, salad plates, dessert plates, cutlery, wine glasses and water glasses, serving bowls, and platters.

Choose what’s necessary and set them up on a festive tablecloth and runner.

Then, enhance your guests’ dining experience by decorating the table to match the theme of your event with details like place cards, candles, and a centerpiece. Get creative with the decor but avoid overcrowding the space so that your guests have space to move around.

4. Serve Appetizers

Serving appetizers to your holiday guests is one of the most effective ways to maintain a cheerful atmosphere. 

If there’s a gap between the party starting and dinner being served, providing visitors with snacks will keep them satisfied.

For your convenience, you can set up the appetizers buffet-style so that guests can serve themselves however and whenever they like. A trendy way to serve appetizers to your guests is to arrange a charcuterie board with cheeses, crackers, cured meats, nuts, chocolates, fruits, veggies, and other treats.

5. Choose Your Color Scheme

Choosing a color scheme for the decor at your party can help to create a cohesive and effective aesthetic throughout your home. 

The easiest way to select a color palette for your party is to consider the theme. You can also select from the colors associated with the season you are in. For example, if it is autumn, consider earthy tones like different shades of brown, red, and orange. If it is winter, choose between reds, greens, and golds or blues and silvers.

6. Include Board Games

Keeping fun board games accessible to your guests is a really clever way to encourage them to spend time together. Try sticking to games appropriate for all ages, so that everyone has the chance to play together. 

In addition to keeping guests entertained, having board games at your party fosters a playful vibe. When your guests arrive and see that there are games, they’ll know that they are safe to kick back and have some fun.

7. Decorate Your Space

Holiday decorations are an absolute must when it comes to hosting a party. The decor that you use is going to set the vibe for your guests, so don’t be afraid to get festive and creative.

Whether you prefer store bought or DIY, our suggestion is to utilize as much of the space as is possible. Decorate the entryway with a wreath, hang up garlands over the mantle, and scatter trinkets throughout the room. Remember to stick to your color scheme!

8. Cook Ahead of Time

One of the simplest ways to make the day of your holiday party a little less stressful is to do some of your cooking ahead of time. Take a look at your planned menu for the event and find out which dishes could be prepped a day or two beforehand. 

Doing so will free up your valuable time on the day of the actual party allowing you to navigate the day with less pressure. 

Just be sure to store the pre-made food appropriately, whether that’s in the freezer, refrigerator, or airtight containers, so that they taste just as yummy on the day of.

9. Choose Disposable Serveware

Consider using disposable serveware to make cleanup easier. After a holiday party, there will be lots of tidying up to do. By using disposable plates and cutlery during the party, you’ll have fewer dishes to do later.

If you choose to go the disposable route, try your best to make an eco-friendly decision and avoid plastic serveware when possible. To avoid contributing to plastic waste, choose products made of paper or bamboo instead. 

Make Your Holidays a Hit

We hope our tips help to set you up for success this holiday season. With a little elbow grease and attention to detail, you are sure to put together a party you can be proud of. 

When your guests are raving about what an incredible host you are, it really will feel like the most wonderful time of the year. 

Sources:

Music for Relaxation: A Comparison Across Two Age Groups | PubMed

The Benefit of Family Mealtime | Harvard Grad School of Education

Cultivating joy as a family | Harvard Health

Plastic Waste Statistics | UNEP