HOSTING GUIDE: Christmas Edition
1. Set a Conversation-Starting Table
Choose tableware that tells a story — hand-painted plates, symbolic coasters, or glasses in unexpected colours. Guests will be drawn in straight away, and the table becomes the first spark of conversation.
2. Mix & Mismatch with Intention
Forget the perfectly matching set. Curate a mix: vintage goblets with modern plates, linen napkins in varying shades of the same palette. The table feels layered, personal, and full of character.
3. Centrepiece with a Twist
Skip the traditional flowers. Try a runner of pine branches dotted with candles, or bowls of pomegranates and clementines brushed with gold. It’s festive, fragrant, and edible.
4. Theming by Symbolism
Bring in motifs like stars, moons, and suns across your décor and tableware. Celestial details feel magical and tie into the season of light in a chic, non-cliché way.
5. Create Micro-Moments at the Table
Add little surprises at each place: a handwritten wish, a sprig of rosemary, or a small trinket. Every guest feels individually thought of.
6. Atmosphere in Layers
Think beyond candles — weave fairy lights into garlands, place lanterns on the floor, or feature a dramatic candelabra. Varying heights and layers of light create depth and intimacy.
7. Encourage Mingling Before the Meal
Set up a mulled wine or cocktail station where guests can add their own twist — orange peel, cinnamon, star anise. It’s interactive and gets everyone chatting before sitting down.
8. Play with Texture
Velvet runners, ceramic plates, glass ornaments, woven placemats — a mix of tactile materials elevates the sensory experience and makes the table feel abundant.
9. Set the Mood with Scent
Choose one subtle seasonal note — clove, pine, or frankincense — through candles or diffusers. It creates an invisible layer of magic without competing with the food.
10. End with Gratitude
As dessert arrives, invite guests to share one thing they’re grateful for from the year. It creates a heart-warming closing moment, leaving the room filled with true Christmas spirit.
May your table be full, your home feel warm, and your Christmas be sprinkled with a little Soroka magic.
