It’s All Fun And Games: The Rules Of Festive Hosting
Reading time: 4 minutes
Mistletoe hangs from the door and ivy snakes up the banister. Fires roar, cheeks flush. Presents sit patiently under the tree before family and friends pile in. And this year it’s all about fun and games, which just happens to be the theme of your soirées: the cocktails-and-canapés party, the quiz, the main event, followed by the Boxing Day walk and one-pot. Then there’s New Year’s Eve when it really comes alive. Below, how to bring your hosting A game.
It’s All Fun And Games: The Rules Of Festive Hosting
Reading time: 4 minutes
Mistletoe hangs from the door and ivy snakes up the banister. Fires roar, cheeks flush. Presents sit patiently under the tree before family and friends pile in. And this year it’s all about fun and games, which just happens to be the theme of your soirées: the cocktails-and-canapés party, the quiz, the main event, followed by the Boxing Day walk and one-pot. Then there’s New Year’s Eve when it really comes alive. Below, how to bring your hosting A game.
It’s All Fun And Games: The Rules Of Festive Hosting
Reading time: 4 minutes
Mistletoe hangs from the door and ivy snakes up the banister. Fires roar, cheeks flush. Presents sit patiently under the tree before family and friends pile in. And this year it’s all about fun and games, which just happens to be the theme of your soirées: the cocktails-and-canapés party, the quiz, the main event, followed by the Boxing Day walk and one-pot. Then there’s New Year’s Eve when it really comes alive. Below, how to bring your hosting A game.
It’s All Fun And Games: The Rules Of Festive Hosting
Reading time: 4 minutes
Mistletoe hangs from the door and ivy snakes up the banister. Fires roar, cheeks flush. Presents sit patiently under the tree before family and friends pile in. And this year it’s all about fun and games, which just happens to be the theme of your soirées: the cocktails-and-canapés party, the quiz, the main event, followed by the Boxing Day walk and one-pot. Then there’s New Year’s Eve when it really comes alive. Below, how to bring your hosting A game.
Ambience
Your turkey is perfectly cooked and the wine, a velvety vintage, prompts a chorus of approval. But none of that matters because the lighting is off. Which is to say there’s too much of it on – the dreaded big light, and not a dimmer in sight. Orange Bitters Deluxe Candles and Pine & Eucalyptus Classic Candles flickering on windowsills and on the hearth, in the bathroom and the hall, creating a story-telling trail of scent.
Place settings
You’d be forgiven for thinking you don’t need a table plan; too formal, a little stilted for family and friends, no? But place cards can inject a bit of fun. Perhaps you’re a good calligrapher and can pen some names on playing cards. If so, be sure to scent them – menus, place names and napkins can all benefit from a misting of something seasonal and delicious. If your penmanship is lacking, however, try some Scrabble tiles spelling out the names of your guests. When dinner is done, a game of Take Two – otherwise known as Speed Scrabble – calls. For the uninitiated… google it, it’s a serious crowd pleaser.
Ambience
Your turkey is perfectly cooked and the wine, a velvety vintage, prompts a chorus of approval. But none of that matters because the lighting is off. Which is to say there’s too much of it on – the dreaded big light, and not a dimmer in sight. Orange Bitters Deluxe Candles and Pine & Eucalyptus Classic Candles flickering on windowsills and on the hearth, in the bathroom and the hall, creating a story-telling trail of scent.
Place settings
You’d be forgiven for thinking you don’t need a table plan; too formal, a little stilted for family and friends, no? But place cards can inject a bit of fun. Perhaps you’re a good calligrapher and can pen some names on playing cards. If so, be sure to scent them – menus, place names and napkins can all benefit from a misting of something seasonal and delicious. If your penmanship is lacking, however, try some Scrabble tiles spelling out the names of your guests. When dinner is done, a game of Take Two – otherwise known as Speed Scrabble – calls. For the uninitiated… google it, it’s a serious crowd pleaser.
Ambience
Your turkey is perfectly cooked and the wine, a velvety vintage, prompts a chorus of approval. But none of that matters because the lighting is off. Which is to say there’s too much of it on – the dreaded big light, and not a dimmer in sight. Orange Bitters Deluxe Candles and Pine & Eucalyptus Classic Candles flickering on windowsills and on the hearth, in the bathroom and the hall, creating a story-telling trail of scent.
Place settings
You’d be forgiven for thinking you don’t need a table plan; too formal, a little stilted for family and friends, no? But place cards can inject a bit of fun. Perhaps you’re a good calligrapher and can pen some names on playing cards. If so, be sure to scent them – menus, place names and napkins can all benefit from a misting of something seasonal and delicious. If your penmanship is lacking, however, try some Scrabble tiles spelling out the names of your guests. When dinner is done, a game of Take Two – otherwise known as Speed Scrabble – calls. For the uninitiated… google it, it’s a serious crowd pleaser.
Ambience
Your turkey is perfectly cooked and the wine, a velvety vintage, prompts a chorus of approval. But none of that matters because the lighting is off. Which is to say there’s too much of it on – the dreaded big light, and not a dimmer in sight. Orange Bitters Deluxe Candles and Pine & Eucalyptus Classic Candles flickering on windowsills and on the hearth, in the bathroom and the hall, creating a story-telling trail of scent.
Place settings
You’d be forgiven for thinking you don’t need a table plan; too formal, a little stilted for family and friends, no? But place cards can inject a bit of fun. Perhaps you’re a good calligrapher and can pen some names on playing cards. If so, be sure to scent them – menus, place names and napkins can all benefit from a misting of something seasonal and delicious. If your penmanship is lacking, however, try some Scrabble tiles spelling out the names of your guests. When dinner is done, a game of Take Two – otherwise known as Speed Scrabble – calls. For the uninitiated… google it, it’s a serious crowd pleaser.
Scents of occasion
An orange studded with cloves. Pine needles and woodsmoke. Spices and roasted chestnuts; few holidays are tied to such distinctive scents as Christmas. All this to say, the candles you burn, the reeds you soak – they matter. Scent has the power to transport us, heighten our senses and transform a space. When you’re cooking on Christmas morning (and every other morning before) try the season’s special gourmand: a Bitter Orange & Chocolate Ceramic Candle.
Tablescaping
Doubling up as mini chess boards, checked napkins are an ideal addition to a game-themed table. Failing that, tap into the butter-mould trend by transforming a block of your salted best into mini chess pieces with the help of a silicone mould. You can also freeze your pieces to make them last longer – after all, your meal will be shared with guests and Instagram.
For a playful touch, tie velvet bows around cutlery and the stems of stainless steel pudding coupes, then scatter draughts counters and dominoes in and among plates and festive crackers, for fun, easy decoration. At the children’s table, lay a white paper cloth with pots of crayons and let them go wild on noughts and crosses, dot-to-dot and Pictionary. No tablets necessary. If it’s a non-seated occasion, try a banquet table with ‘foodstallations’ (more achievable than they sound, promise); Imogen Kwok, friend of Jo Malone London, has a visual feast of inspiration on her Instagram.
Treats
No festive table is complete without crackers, and no consummate host is set without Jo Malone London harlequin-patterned ones. Filled with three fragrant miniatures, your guests will shriek with glee. The giddiness will continue when they are encouraged to go on a treasure hunt around the house to find as many numbered boxes with bows as they can.
Scents of occasion
An orange studded with cloves. Pine needles and woodsmoke. Spices and roasted chestnuts; few holidays are tied to such distinctive scents as Christmas. All this to say, the candles you burn, the reeds you soak – they matter. Scent has the power to transport us, heighten our senses and transform a space. When you’re cooking on Christmas morning (and every other morning before) try the season’s special gourmand: a Bitter Orange & Chocolate Ceramic Candle.
Tablescaping
Doubling up as mini chess boards, checked napkins are an ideal addition to a game-themed table. Failing that, tap into the butter-mould trend by transforming a block of your salted best into mini chess pieces with the help of a silicone mould. You can also freeze your pieces to make them last longer – after all, your meal will be shared with guests and Instagram.
For a playful touch, tie velvet bows around cutlery and the stems of stainless steel pudding coupes, then scatter draughts counters and dominoes in and among plates and festive crackers, for fun, easy decoration. At the children’s table, lay a white paper cloth with pots of crayons and let them go wild on noughts and crosses, dot-to-dot and Pictionary. No tablets necessary. If it’s a non-seated occasion, try a banquet table with ‘foodstallations’ (more achievable than they sound, promise); Imogen Kwok, friend of Jo Malone London, has a visual feast of inspiration on her Instagram.
Treats
No festive table is complete without crackers, and no consummate host is set without Jo Malone London harlequin-patterned ones. Filled with three fragrant miniatures, your guests will shriek with glee. The giddiness will continue when they are encouraged to go on a treasure hunt around the house to find as many numbered boxes with bows as they can.
Scents of occasion
An orange studded with cloves. Pine needles and woodsmoke. Spices and roasted chestnuts; few holidays are tied to such distinctive scents as Christmas. All this to say, the candles you burn, the reeds you soak – they matter. Scent has the power to transport us, heighten our senses and transform a space. When you’re cooking on Christmas morning (and every other morning before) try the season’s special gourmand: a Bitter Orange & Chocolate Ceramic Candle.
Tablescaping
Doubling up as mini chess boards, checked napkins are an ideal addition to a game-themed table. Failing that, tap into the butter-mould trend by transforming a block of your salted best into mini chess pieces with the help of a silicone mould. You can also freeze your pieces to make them last longer – after all, your meal will be shared with guests and Instagram.
For a playful touch, tie velvet bows around cutlery and the stems of stainless steel pudding coupes, then scatter draughts counters and dominoes in and among plates and festive crackers, for fun, easy decoration. At the children’s table, lay a white paper cloth with pots of crayons and let them go wild on noughts and crosses, dot-to-dot and Pictionary. No tablets necessary. If it’s a non-seated occasion, try a banquet table with ‘foodstallations’ (more achievable than they sound, promise); Imogen Kwok, friend of Jo Malone London, has a visual feast of inspiration on her Instagram.
Treats
No festive table is complete without crackers, and no consummate host is set without Jo Malone London harlequin-patterned ones. Filled with three fragrant miniatures, your guests will shriek with glee. The giddiness will continue when they are encouraged to go on a treasure hunt around the house to find as many numbered boxes with bows as they can.
Scents of occasion
An orange studded with cloves. Pine needles and woodsmoke. Spices and roasted chestnuts; few holidays are tied to such distinctive scents as Christmas. All this to say, the candles you burn, the reeds you soak – they matter. Scent has the power to transport us, heighten our senses and transform a space. When you’re cooking on Christmas morning (and every other morning before) try the season’s special gourmand: a Bitter Orange & Chocolate Ceramic Candle.
Tablescaping
Doubling up as mini chess boards, checked napkins are an ideal addition to a game-themed table. Failing that, tap into the butter-mould trend by transforming a block of your salted best into mini chess pieces with the help of a silicone mould. You can also freeze your pieces to make them last longer – after all, your meal will be shared with guests and Instagram.
For a playful touch, tie velvet bows around cutlery and the stems of stainless steel pudding coupes, then scatter draughts counters and dominoes in and among plates and festive crackers, for fun, easy decoration. At the children’s table, lay a white paper cloth with pots of crayons and let them go wild on noughts and crosses, dot-to-dot and Pictionary. No tablets necessary. If it’s a non-seated occasion, try a banquet table with ‘foodstallations’ (more achievable than they sound, promise); Imogen Kwok, friend of Jo Malone London, has a visual feast of inspiration on her Instagram.
Treats
No festive table is complete without crackers, and no consummate host is set without Jo Malone London harlequin-patterned ones. Filled with three fragrant miniatures, your guests will shriek with glee. The giddiness will continue when they are encouraged to go on a treasure hunt around the house to find as many numbered boxes with bows as they can.
