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Whether you relish the role of host or it’s simply your turn, having a houseful of guests at Christmas can be hard work. Cramming everyone in, remembering everyone’s dietary requirements – and the fact that no matter how many glasses and mugs you think you own, it’s never enough.
Logistics aside, though, there’s something so magical about seeing your whole crew under your own roof. And from DIY troubleshooting to deliberately mismatched crockery, there’s plenty you can do to reduce the Christmas cortisol levels – and, yes, that includes delegation.
How to host a stress-free Christmas
Make a list (and check it twice)
In the run-up to Christmas, sit down and make a list of what you’ll need clean and ready for your party size, based on the length of their stays and their individual needs (don’t forget to check if anyone has new dietary requirements or is going sober for yuletide). Write down anything you’re missing and need to buy.
Do some DIY troubleshooting
Do a walk around your home to check things off: are all the lightbulbs working in your guest room? Is there somewhere for people to put muddy boots? Are there enough chairs for everyone in each living space, or at least scatter cushions for younger guests to perch on? Folding chairs that can be stashed away afterwards can be useful.
Folding chair
Prevent a cooking stress bottleneck
Create a clear timetable for cooking spreads, picky bits and of course, the Christmas dinner. A productivity planner notebook may help you to lay it all out. “Write down what you want to cook, then work backwards to the prep,” says professional host of the Seasonal Supper Club, Lucy Turnbull. “Consider fridge space and how long each element takes to make. If it’s starting to feel overwhelming, dial it back; fewer well-executed dishes are much better than abundance.”
Productivity planner
Don’t fret about clashing dinnerware
Once you’ve decided what you’re eating and when, check well ahead of time that you have more than enough crockery, glassware, cookware and cutlery to serve it on. Rather than worrying that new additions won’t match, opt for statement plates, serving dishes and colourful glasses that make it all look like an artful mix. These La Gent coupes are a playful choice, while some printed plates would make a lovely touch to helm the table at each end. I like these Bitossi porcelain ones. Cutlery wise, if you’re falling short, MG&Co does gorgeous styles with colourful handles, like the salad servers below, which make the mismatching look feel intentional.
For dressing the table, you can put a bow on pretty much anything to add some festive cheer. It can be reused and won’t make a mess that needs cleaning up, like flowers or confetti. The John Lewis velvet ribbons below make for a pretty and festive colour combo.
If you have lots of different ribbons that look good together, try personalising your guests’ place settings by tying a ribbon around their napkin to help them remember which is theirs and save you washing them after each meal. You can do the same to prevent glasses from getting muddled with charms like Anthropologie’s chilli and olive motif ones.
Coupes, set of two
Dinner plate (each)
Salad servers
Velvet gift ribbon
Cocktail charms, set of two
Buy or borrow bedding
It’s worth getting the nicest bedding you can if you plan to repeat host (try our edit of the best bedding styles); otherwise, see what you can borrow. Make sure you have enough good-quality pillows (borrow some if you’re short), and if anyone is going to sleep on a sofa or pull-out bed, consider a mattress cover like this from Ferm Living.
Mattress cover
For more, read our guide to the best pillows
Stock up on guest essentials
A basket of toiletries (toothpaste, shampoo, Alka-Seltzer for the hungover) is handy in the bathroom, so guests who forget them don’t have to ask. Leave a carafe or jug on the bedside table so water is within easy reach (we love this one by Block Design). Interior designer Isabella Worsley says she loved staying the night with a friend and finding a mini kettle and hot-water bottle in her room: “Always appreciated during winter.”
Glass carafe set
Delegate, delegate, delegate
Most guests want to pitch in, so give everyone something to take charge of in advance. Someone can bring the cheese board or pick the wine, your bartender cousin can be on the cocktails, and the am-dram auntie could stage the charades.
Set up a drinks station
To avoid being expected to cater to everyone outside meal times, set up a tea station with mugs beside the kettle, so people can help themselves, as well as a mini bar with drinks, glasses and an ice bucket. Consider the fridge neutral territory if guests are staying, but make sure you separate meal ingredients from free-for-all snacks.
For more, see our guide to the best Christmas drinks, from gingerbread rum to mulled rose
Be clear on timings
As the saying sort of goes, guests and fish go off after three days, but whatever the length of stay, be clear ahead of time about arrival and departure times: eg “Do come from teatime on Christmas Eve until after breakfast on the 27th.” If you’re still drowning in leftovers on departure day, put together little takeaway tupperware boxes of food that will keep to give guests a gentle nudge out the door.
Food containers, set of 17
For more, read how to host the perfect Christmas dinner
Hayley Spencer is a journalist and editor with 15 years’ experience writing on topics spanning style, beauty and wellness
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