The holiday season is a time for celebration, connection and joy. From intimate family gatherings to stylish soirées, it is the time to savor moments of togetherness. While much of the country turns inward against winter’s chill, we enjoy ideal conditions for outdoor gatherings—an opportunity to make the most of our patios, decks and gardens for holiday events, al fresco dining and cocktail parties.
But the holidays can also be a time of anxiety, with pressure to create picture-perfect, meaningful and magical experiences for your guests. We hope these suggestions will help you host a fun, festive celebration—without any of the unnecessary fuss.
Be Present
Experts agree that the key to a successful event lies in creating a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. A great party starts with the host. Are they relaxed, enjoying the food and conversation—or still running around in the kitchen? When the host is at ease, it sets the tone for the whole gathering. You don’t need to be Martha Stewart or a Michelin-star chef to pull it off. You can bring people together without letting anxiety steal the show. It’s okay if things don’t go exactly as planned (spoiler alert: they rarely do). Your guests aren’t coming for the food or the décor—they’re there for you.
Be Original
The rules were made to be broken. You can shape your ideal gathering however you like, whether it’s a low-lift, no-cook, wine and bites party centered around a lavish grazing station, a backyard cookout or seafood boil, a halfway-homemade brunch featuring pastries and a bagel station from your favorite neighborhood shops or even a formal sit-down dinner with the good china and all the trimmings. The point isn’t to follow a blueprint. It’s to craft an experience that reflects your style, your energy and the people you’re bringing together. Choose the approach that feels natural, effortless and distinctly yours—and in doing so, you’ll create a celebration that is both memorable and authentic.
Be Prepared
For those entertaining at home, preparation is key. Shopping and cooking in advance keeps the focus on guests once the event begins. Our local outdoor and gourmet markets also make sourcing fresh and local easy. Offering a wealth of ingredients, from gourmet sauces and fresh seasonings to artisan spreads and cheeses, you’ll find everything you need to create a beautiful grazing board for a casual cocktail party or a full-on feast for family and friends.
Be a Pal
Hosting doesn’t have to be a solo sport. Some of the best gatherings happen when everyone contributes, lightening your load and turning the event into a true collaboration. You can ask guests to bring a favorite dish, which adds variety to the menu while easing your workload. Friends can also take on different roles—handling drinks, curating the music or helping with setup and cleanup. And when someone offers help, don’t hesitate to be specific about what you need, whether it’s picking up extra ice or setting the table. When everyone pitches in, hosting becomes less of a burden and more of a shared celebration.
If that all sounds too complicated or ambitious or you just want to savor the evening without the stress of coordinating everything yourself, bring professional help. After all, you deserve a treat and what better gift can you afford yourself than to be pampered?
“You can give yourself and your guests the gift of a curated culinary experience,” says Kelly Rodriguez Laureano of Lolita's Catering & Events, which was voted best caterer in our annual Readers’ Choice Awards. “If you choose to have an extra set of hands, you can actually spend time enjoying your guests and leave the details to someone else. At Lolita’s, we offer seasonally based menu choices that consider most dietary preferences.”
From drop-off catering to concierge-level service, a caterer can craft the exact experience you want and be there to ensure everything from set-up to cleanup is handled with care.
Be Impactful
Simple enhancements—candlelight (ditch the battery powered ones, real tapers and column styles are back in a big way), a seasonal playlist and a thoughtfully constructed tablescape—create an atmosphere that feels special without being overproduced.
“Add a few nuanced touches with impact,” Rodriguez Laureano suggests. “Many people think they have to go all out with big centerpieces at the holidays, but we love to use pinecones, tulle with fairy lights mixed with ornaments in glass vases and greenery on tables. Not only does it allow you to have a conversation across the dining table without navigating a fussy floral arrangement, but the scents are a subtle element your guests will appreciate and that will add to the overall experience.”
Be Strategic
A self-serve drink station is the way to go. Alongside buckets of a few great pre-chilled wines and a non-alcoholic option, consider offering a signature cocktail—perhaps a cranberry prosecco spritzer with a twig of rosemary as a garnish or a spiced rum punch. Pre-batching a holiday cocktail means you won’t be stuck mixing drinks all evening.
Be Our Guest
Dining out is also a great way to support our incredible local restaurants and indulge in some of the inventive seasonal menus and creative cocktails that are only offered this time of year. Pick a date and send an invite to your favorite group of merrymakers. Always try to make large group reservations as early as possible, so you can enjoy gathering and connecting without any of the fuss.
Be Audacious
Actually, why choose? Throw a dinner at home one weekend, then swap the dishes for reservations at a restaurant the next. What matters most is an atmosphere that invites people to relax and connect. Whether it’s at your own table or at your favorite eatery—whether you’re doing the cooking or bringing in expert help—take some time to savor the season. Remember it’s about presence, not perfection. However you celebrate, we wish you a season of joy, reflection and connection.
