6 Tips For Hosting An Unforgettable Holiday Party

‘Tis the season to be merry and throw chic holiday soirées! For those who love entertaining, Haute Living has put together tips for throwing an unforgettable holiday party.

Tip #1: Set the mood with a wintery centerpiece

Use authentic acorns and pine tree branches to incorporate the fragrances of the holiday season naturally.

After the sun sets, light white candles for a romantic glow. For a touch of whimsy, choose candles in a variety of thickness and size.

Tip # 2: Prepare a signature cocktail

Save time and money by serving a large-scale punch cocktail in a decorative pitcher or carafe. For a fruity beverage with a festive twist, check out “The Farmer and the Partridge,” created by Pamela Wiznitzer.

Ingredients (serves 14):
14oz American Harvest
6oz Leopold Bros. New England Cranberry Liqueur
10oz Looza pear nectar juice
6oz simple syrup
6oz lemon juice
2 cups dry sparkling wine
*Garnish with grated cinnamon, think pear slices, and orange slices

Tip #3: Serve gourmet finger foods

Instead of gorging on heavy dishes until you need to unbutton your jeans, serve a selection of flavorful finger foods. They’re easy to make—and easy to eat without requiring a knife and fork. Besides, appetizers are the best part of a meal anyways! Make these crispy jumbo lump crab cake bites as a starter.

Tip #4: Get creative with serving ware

Arrange sharp cheese, cured meat, and crusty bread on an rough wood chopping board for a rustic look.

Drink from Mason jars emblazoned with mini chalkboards instead of traditional glassware for a fun touch to the table. They work great as place setting cards as well!

Tip #5: Forgo the boring dessert table and create a hot cocoa station

Cap off your meal with something sweet like steaming hot cocoa with flavored marshmallows. For a fun twist, set up a bar cart filled with white, milk, or dark hot chocolate and a variety of toppings like chocolate chips, butterscotch morsels, shredded coconut, and peppermint sticks.

Tip #6: Go old school with board games

Once the cocktails are flowing and everyone seems full, bring out board games for some old school fun. Taboo, Cards Against Humanity, or Twister are sure to make everyone howl with laughter and finish the night off on a fun note.