How to Host a Great Christmas Party

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and with it comes plenty of get-togethers. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas in your new home with friends and family, or just trying to top your Christmas party from last year, we’re sharing our ultimate list of essentials to make it a success. From how to plan a Christmas party to baking and cooking essentials you'll need, we have all of the tips below so you can be a great host this year!

A Host's Guide to Planning a Christmas Party in 4 Easy Steps

Before we dive into all of the essentials you’ll need, first you want to make sure you’re well-prepared. That starts with planning the Christmas party so that you have everything you need and your party goes smoothly. Follow these 4 easy steps to make sure you think of everything:

1. Decide on a Christmas Party Theme

It's time to think of your overall vision for your Christmas party. Deciding on a party theme is one of the most exciting parts of hosting a party. It helps you to set the mood to match the fun and excitement of Christmas. Having a theme can be as simple as deciding on a colour scheme, or it can be more involved and prompt specific games or activities. Some examples might include:

2. Gather Your Supplies

With your theme set, you can start gathering supplies to begin putting together your Christmas party.

Food and Beverages

When it comes to hosting a Christmas party, ticking everything off from the food and beverages list is one of the most important things to do. If you want to showcase your cooking and baking skills, then you might want to lean toward a sit-down dinner where you prepare the majority of the dishes. Plan it out beforehand, then make a list of the dishes you’re responsible for. This will give you an idea of the supplies you need to pick up.

Christmas Tablescape Decor

Imagine everyone sitting down at the table at your Christmas party. In your imagination, what does the table look like? We’re willing to bet that, for many, it includes at least some Christmas tablescape decor. As everyone gathers around the table, the decor and table settings truly bring the entire party together. So don’t forget to include this in your list of supplies to pick up.

3. Plan Your Christmas Party Games and Activities

Don’t forget one of the biggest draws for hosting a Christmas party – the games and activities that make it so much fun. Some of the most popular Christmas party games and activities include:

4. Prepare for the Christmas Party on the Day

When you plan by following the 3 previous steps, preparing for the Christmas party on the day-of will be much easier. Depending on the size of your party, you might want to do the decorating the day before. You can then spend the day of the Christmas party preparing the food and beverages you’ll be serving.

Baking and Cooking Essentials You Need to Make Your Christmas Party a Success

Baking and cooking are some of the most important elements of hosting a Christmas party. After all, Christmas often reminds us of cosy dishes, plum cakes and warm cookies. When planning out your menu for your party, be sure to think of Christmas baking ideas you want to use. Then, you’ll have a clear understanding of what essentials you’re missing to help you whip up those delicious recipes.

Cooking Essentials

For most Christmas cooking recipes, you’ll probably find yourself looking for:

Meat Thermometer

Roasting a turkey, beef or ham is a typical highlight of any Irish Christmas dinner. Regardless of what type of meat you’re choosing, a thermometer to check for the right cooking temperature is a necessity. It’ll prevent you from serving something overcooked, or worse, undercooked.

Roasting Trays

Continuing along the lines of preparing the meat, if you’re doing any kind of roasting, you’ll need the appropriate roasting tray. Make sure it’s big enough to fit your dish, while also fitting inside your oven.

Variety of Saucepans, Frying Pans, and Pots

Many side dishes and sauces require the use of saucepans, frying pans, and pots. Refer to your menu and figure out which dishes need to be prepared on the hob.

Slow Cooker

Perhaps you want to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your guests. If that’s the case, you might want to prioritise a slow cooker.

Selection of Knives

For many dishes, you’ll have to prepare vegetables or other seasonings. A selection of knives is a Christmas party cooking essential. Find a knife block that includes a carving knife, a chef’s knife, a paring knife, some utility knives, and a bread knife.

Chopping Board

Don’t ruin any of your worktops. Use a chopping board to keep from slicing into your counters. Try using different coloured chopping boards for each of the dishes you’re making so you don’t accidentally mix up your ingredients.

Wooden or Silicone Spoons and Utensils

Spoons are essential for stirring ingredients in a saucepan, skillet, or pot. However, using metal utensils or spoons can cause scratching and scraping, which can permanently damage your cookware. Use wooden spoons and utensils to properly create your sauces and side dishes.

Serving ware

It’s one of the commonly forgotten items, but an important Christmas party cooking essential to make sure everything’s a success. From dishes to serve the food in, to cutlery to scoop it onto plates, make sure you have everything you need once the food hits the table.

Baking Essentials

Just like with cooking, you’ll want to make sure you have baking essentials to share your favourite Christmas baking recipes.

Baking Trays, Sheets, and Tins

Many Christmas baking recipes, such as cookies, bread, and cakes require baking trays, tins, and sheets. Make sure you have plenty of those to accommodate the recipes you plan to make.

Baking Paper

The saving grace of baking is baking paper. Use it to line your trays and any tins you plan to use. It’ll keep your recipes from sticking.

Electric or Hand Whisk

Of course, it wouldn’t be baking if you didn’t combine ingredients appropriately. Opt for an electric whisk or a hand whisk to save your wrists from getting sore, especially if you plan to bake multiple treats.

Mixing Bowls

Having a few different-sized mixing bowls will be crucial to preparing the many different ingredients for any of your Christmas baking ideas.

How to Be a Great Host at Your Christmas Party

Hosting a Christmas party can come with its own set of pressures. You want to make sure everything goes smoothly so everyone has fun and wants to come back next year. To summarise how to be a great host at your Christmas party, here are our top 4 tips:

1. Be Well Prepared

Start with your plan first. That will make sure you’re well prepared beforehand. Preparation is key to making sure everything runs smoothly. You won’t be scrambling for last-minute essentials, which means you can be more focused and present with your guests.

2. Make It As Fun and Festive As Possible

The point of a Christmas party is to have fun! So go all in on a festive theme with games and activities. This will keep everything light-hearted and cheerful so your guests have a fantastic time.

3. Activities

Along those same lines, plan for some fun Christmas-themed activities. Swapping small presents or even sharing your favourite Christmas recipes is a great way to spend your time with friends and family.

4. Delicious Baking and Cooking

Finally, make sure your party has delicious food! Whether it’s finger food, a mix and match of dishes brought by your guests, or a fully plated meal. Good food is one of the best ways to have a successful Christmas party.

Ready to gather all the essentials you'll need to make sure your Christmas party is a success? Find everything here!