Holiday Hosting Tips

Holiday entertaining is in full swing and hosting is one of my favorite things to do! So, today I am sharing some of my go-tos when it comes to hosting and I’ll give you a hint…Trader Joe’s is my best friend!

I like to start with the decor and I always look for one piece that inspires the rest of the design. For this table design, I LOVED the plaid green tablecloth from Zara Home…clearly I am all about the plaid lately for those of you who read my last blog post. I added a shiny gold charger, fun glassware, and sprinkled in candles for ambiance. Then, I finished it off with garland, berries, and pinecones from Trader Joe’s. You could also add in a few pomegranates if you like a bit more color.

Next up is the food! I usually like to do apps vs. a full meal especially if I am having a good amount of people over so the first thing I put together is a big cheese and charcuterie board. Anyone can make one of these look pretty and it is always a crowd pleaser. I start by placing the cheeses first and I always include Unexpected Cheddar, Cheddar Cheese with Caramelized Onions, Boursin, and Double Cream Brie with Truffles…so good!! Then, I fill in with Prosciutto, Calabrese Salame, and Capocollo. I also get olives, marcona almonds, jams, and crackers to fill in the holes and voila!

In addition to the board, I always like to have a few sweet items (these cookies are the BEST), some veggies, fruit, and maybe a warm appetizer if I have the time. You don’t have to over do it on the food, I promise there will be enough! I often find that people stress and over-buy but then they end up with so many leftovers at the end of the night.

Lastly, my favorite…the drinks! Variety is key, but again, no need to over do it. I like to fill a big champagne bucket full of options, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, to include champagne, wines, sparkling water, and belvoir juices. I always like to include some fun items on the side like sugared cranberries and glittery ice cubes!

And that’s it! Now, go call up your friends, make a Trader Joe’s list, and have yourself a fun holiday party!

Photos by: Olivia Marshall