Christmas is coming, and with it the perfect excuse to throw open the doors to entertain family and friends, whether drinks and nibbles in the big-build up, a full-on feast for the main event itself or a glittering affair on New Year’s Eve.
But while gathering nearest and dearest in your home can be a joyful and rewarding experience, there’s no denying it can also be stressful, what with the decorating, cooking and hosting to be done.
But fear not, as we’ve compiled everything you need to make it go without a hitch in one convenient place, from tablescaping inspiration to Christmas Day hosting ideas and menu-planning, plus general tips and tricks. This year, you’ll be confident in welcoming one and all (just don’t forget to upgrade your dining table – a blank canvas for your creativity).
Why host a dinner party at home?
Despite the effort it takes to throw a dinner party, hosting at home can sometimes be more economical than going out or ordering in, while it gives you a chance to show off your beautiful tablescape and impeccable style.
Better still, there’s no need for a taxi at the end of the night for the host – meaning you can climb the stairs and be in bed the minute everyone has left.
Hosting your Christmas dinner party
The golden rule for any refined gathering? Plan ahead. And when you think you’ve done all the planning you can, plan some more. We’re not just talking about setting a budget – although that’s the first logical step – but setting a date and time that gives everyone plenty of warning to diarise, then sorting a guestlist by circulating (preferably printed) invites to those you want around the table.
Next, think about a theme – which, in turn, can inspire the food and drink – and start buying decorations and tableware so you’re not scrabbling around at the last minute. Even little things, like dressing the table or chopping the veg the night before, can help when it comes to hosting. Why not go one step further and select dishes you can make beforehand and freeze to seal in flavour and texture?
Then you only need to defrost, finish cooking and serve when guests arrive. Likewise, curate a playlist the weekend before your soirée over a glass of wine – it’s fun and will save time and faff when it comes to finding the right vibe on the night.
Creative Christmas dinner party theme ideas
You absolutely don’t need a theme to throw a dinner party, but Christmas is all about having a bit of fun, so it certainly won’t go amiss. There’s plenty of inspiration for Christmas dinner theme ideas on the likes of Pinterest, but the festive season lends itself naturally to concepts like a winter wonderland – think twinkling silvers, faux snow, handcrafted animals and icy blues – or ‘all that glitters’ with gold decorations at every turn.
Otherwise, you could go traditional – greens and reds are making a comeback as we seek comfort and joy in nostalgia – or be creative: the underwater aesthetic is making waves with pearlescent finishes, mermaid motifs and shell designs (this lobster-inspired dec is just the thing). The world really is your oyster, so think big and get creative.
Games and entertainment at your Christmas dinner party
It wouldn’t feel festive without a family game or two after dinner is done, would it? Old-school favourites such as charades and quizzes always go down a storm, as do classics like Scrabble and Pictionary, otherwise the collection of beautifully-designed games by Printworks are sure-fire winners – from Backgammon and Tumbling Tower to Yatzy and Four in a Row.
If all else fails, why not dust off the karaoke machine? It’s Christmas, after all. A simple Google will reveal a raft of Christmas dinner party game ideas, if you’re still stuck.
Festive Christmas dinner party décor
When it comes to setting the scene, Christmas decorations can add twinkle and sparkle, whether it’s in candles, fairylights, ornaments or flowers. Line pillar candles of varying heights down the length of the table or cluster together in a collection in the centre (overhead lighting should be dialled down or switched off); wind battery-operated fairylights around the back of dining chairs; and fill vases with groups of ornaments and use unique ones to add personality to each place setting.
Menu ideas for large Christmas gatherings
With the theme, entertainment and table sorted, it’s time to think about the type of food and format you serve up, which should initially be planned around the number of guests you have in attendance. For a big group, for example, a generous buffet that lends itself to everyone helping themselves is best.
Don’t be quick to judge – the buffet is back in a big way and is being elevated for contemporary entertaining by even the most respected party-planners. Think premium cheeses, pickles and condiments; butter boards topped with spices and herbs; wafer-thin slices of charcuterie; luxurious lobster rolls; bite-sized desserts and old-school trifles (yes, really); DIY spritz stations; and posh punch bowls. For this retro presentation style, consider upgrading your serveware with things like the Tundra Sharing Platter by Musango, our Sintra Salad Bowl and the Rotary Tray from Vitra.
For a tighter group – eight, say – a sit-down affair might be more appropriate with a centrepiece or sharing board placed in the centre of the table for everyone to dig in and help themselves. Forgo the traditional turkey in favour of something more fashionable like pulled pork or cauliflower wellington as a guaranteed conversation-starter.
Why not present on something pretty like the Tala Ceramic Platter by ferm LIVING? For groups or six or four, you may want to dish up individual plates in the kitchen before presenting them at the table, and include a starter, main and dessert before retiring to the living room for cheese and digestifs. Our box-sets – from the grey-blue tones of Nordic Sea to our colourful collaboration with LF Markey – make refreshing your crockery for Christmas easy.
As the big day itself can be quite the undertaking, we recommend keeping any entertaining you’re doing on Christmas Eve low-key, so stick to a single course for a small group or just two – oysters and Champagne is an always elegant pairing. These saucers from The Vintage List are timeless. However many you’re catering for, always remember to check dietary requirements beforehand, meaning there are no surprises when it comes to plant-based or gluten-free guests.
Don’t overlook drinks, either: while you’ll have plenty of beer, wine and spirits to hand, ensure you’ve got smart softs for teetotallers or drivers, too. Sober-curiosity – whereby people are consciously choosing to drink or abstain on different occasions – is becoming increasingly popular.
Remember, whoever you’re hosting and however you’re hosting them, it’s all about the company. So long as the conversation (and wine) is flowing, everyone will leave with a smile on their face.
Get inspired by more Christmas dinner party ideas.
[ INSPIRATION ]
Christmas
Heal’s Cares is our sustainable and ethical approach to design. As part of this, we pledge to diversify our sector, from championing emerging talent in our Heal’s Discovers programme to supporting communities that are underrepresented in the industry.
Most recently, we partnered with ARTHOUSE Unlimited, the London-based charity that represents a collective of artists with complex neuro-diverse and physical support needs, on a very special piece of art.
Becky Sheraidah, CEO and Founder of the charity, says: “The collaboration between Heal’s and ARTHOUSE Unlimited showcases the creativity of the artists and provides a platform for them to be seen and respected. It’s a really beautiful way of showing that innovative businesses can ‘do good’ at all levels.
The partnership works in perfect synergy because the piece that the artists created and the level of design that we have developed with them is showcased brilliantly by Heal’s and its own high level of presentation.”
She adds: “The brief was based around the iconic imagery of Heal’s and its history, combined with the artistic style and mark-making of our artists, and how they work together. The interpretation of the artists’ drawings and line-work, using both the ARTHOUSE Unlimited and Heal’s colour palettes, has resulted in a truly unique design.”
A colourful representation of Christmas, depicting movement, celebration and togetherness, the artwork is on currently on display in the seasonal window of our flagship store on Tottenham Court Road.
Explains Becky: “The process of brainstorming was based around the iconic Heal’s staircase that created a circular space at the centre of the artwork from which the piece expands from using inspiration from the store, drawing on the theme of togetherness in a beautiful Christmas home where the artists can experience joy. The result is a beautiful collaboration that clearly represents both Heal’s and ARTHOUSE Unlimited.”
Design and Art Instructor Manager, Zoe Thomas, says: “The artists really enjoyed working together and creating something huge that is seen in such a magnificent setting. They’ve since liked finding the parts that they worked on and how it connects as a collaborative piece, and the feeling of pride that accompanies this.”
Offering a sense of purpose to its talented creatives lies at the heart of ARTHOUSE Unlimited with the belief that feeling seen and respected will improve their health, wellbeing and happiness.
Sabina Miller, buying director at Heal’s, concludes: “This year’s collaboration with ARTHOUSE Unlimited strengthens our relationship with a wonderful charity we’ve been working with since 2020. Heal’s has a strong tradition in supporting talent and this year we’re proud to celebrate its community of artists.
The artwork produced not only captures the heritage and details of our historic store, but celebrates the joy and energy that was tangible when our teams worked together on this brief.”
Support ARTHOUSE Unlimited and its artists by shopping its products at Heal’s.
To many, bringing your cherished box of Christmas tree lights down from the loft signals the beginning of Christmas, but it’s not all fun and games once you tear it open. Inside, a tangled mess of lights may await, while finding the one faulty bulb that’s letting the whole string down can be a nightmare.
And that’s before you’ve even started to think about getting the lights on the tree. Horizonal? Vertical? Bottom-to-top? Top-to-bottom? Before the decorations or after?!
Have a glug of mulled wine and relax. We’re here to show you how to put lights on a Christmas tree while demonstrating the best ideas to make yours shine the brightest. It’s time for the big switch-on.
The basics of Christmas tree lighting
How many Christmas lights do you need?
Firstly, figure out how many lights you need for your specific tree. As a general rule of thumb, 100 lights for every foot of tree, but it’s always a case of the more the merrier – especially if you want the professional look of a dressed spruce in a department store or boutique hotel.
Luckily, we’ve got sets featuring up to 720 LED lights in a single pack, so it’s easy to make yours look abundant. Next, plug in your lights to check that all the bulbs are working before you go to all the trouble of putting them on your tree only to find something’s wrong (we’ve got a wide range of Christmas lights if you need new ones).
Leave them on while you’re working so you can see how they’re looking and address any dark spots as you weave the string over and under the branches. Then, start from the bottom-up closest to the power outlet so you don’t have to run an extension cord to the top – the opposite is true when removing them after Christmas – and always add your lights before your decorations.
If you want to install your Christmas tree in a space without a power socket, use multiple sets of battery-powered lights, such as these from Sirius.
Vertical VS horizontal: which method suits you?
We’d recommend wrapping your lights around your tree horizontally – the most traditional and popular way – by placing lights over and under branches as you work your way around and up.
For a professional look, nestle some lights further back into the tree and others closer to the front for depth and interest, alternating so the arrangement looks natural. But how do you put lights on a Christmas tree vertically? Vertical arrangements started as a trend a few years ago as a modern twist on the traditional method.
The technique makes the lights shine brighter because more of them are on show as they’re less likely to be covered up by branches. Starting with the end of the strand without the plug, simply cascade lights from the top to the bottom of the tree in an ‘S’ shape or zig-zag down the front.
Certainly, this arrangement is easier to remove once Christmas is over. For best results, choose something with a ‘loose’ string over a structured wire – such as these with weighty sultan-shaped glass lights – as they’ll hang better.
Safety tips for Christmas tree lights
There’s nothing quite like Christmas lights to get you into the festive spirit, but take the time read our list of precautions to keep you safe, ensuring yours bring you nothing but comfort and joy.
Replace missing or broken bulbs.
Use a ladder if decorating outside your home or hard-to-reach spots.
Choose the right kind of light – outdoor for the garden; and indoor for the home.
Similarly, use an outdoor extension cord for the garden, not an indoor one.
Don’t overload power outlets.
Avoid feeding cords through doors and windows.
Always turn off lights when you’re not home or overnight when you’re asleep.
Integrating your tree into your home décor
It’s not only your tree that can be integrated into your home décor – traditional VS contemporary, for example, or green VS white – but your Christmas lights, too. Consider the style of your interiors and existing lighting scheme.
Does a layered mix of wall lights and table lamps emit a golden glow? If so, choose warm lights with a yellow tinge. Alternatively, does a combination of ceiling lights and floor lamps create a silver wash? Then opt for cool lights with a blue tinge.
Contemporary Christmas décor concepts
Every year, trends dominate our trees – from disco to underwater and gothic (yes, really) – and Christmas lights are no exception. This year, it’s all about ‘quiet luxury’ in every aspect of our lives, with a less-is-more approach that whispers rather than shouts.
To get the look, why not consider a tree that’s only decorated with lights rather than a cacophony of baubles? Choose a set that’s beautifully simple, such as a festive string of LED lights on a gold wire, and let your lights be the loudest thing in the room.
Other creative Christmas tree décor ideas
On the opposite end of the spectrum, maximalism is back with a bang, eschewing a minimalistic approach in favour of all things outrageous. In the spirit of excess, dress your tree with more lights than it needs, and consider a combination of different styles for an abundant and eclectic aesthetic: throw together the Millie, Trille and Knirke.
For something altogether more traditional – a big trend as we seek comfort in nostalgia during tumultuous times – try the Molly cone battery garland with a rustic, country vibe.
Remember: lights don’t just have to be wound around or draped down Christmas trees. They can fill vases; snake between banisters; wind around windows; or even hang down doors.
The more ‘pockets’ of Christmas you can create, the more festive your home will feel, so think big and get creative. Once you know how to put lights on a Christmas tree, you’ll save time and stress each and every year, while being able to dress your spruce like a stylist.
Find more bright ideas by browsing our collection of Christmas lights.
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