Lifestyle
The Dos & Don’ts of Holiday Hosting
December 2, 2024
The holiday season is synonymous with festive parties, dinners, and wine-filled gatherings alike, and if you’re planning to put your hosting hat on, there are a few things to know before getting started. Our expert sommeliers’ combined hosting experience spans decades—meaning the Sommsation pros know a thing or two about throwing immaculate, wine-fueled fêtes. In anticipation of the impending holiday season, we took to the experts and put together a list of holiday hosting dos and don’ts to ensure smooth and seamless holiday gatherings ahead.
Get Your Home Party Ready
Whipping your home into party-friendly shape is the first step—and there are a few main boxes to check before your guests arrive. Michael Meager, MS recommends ensuring enough spaces for resting glasses and plates, which could come in the form of renting tables, or simply clearing off countertop / bookshelf space to create more surface area. In terms of ambiance, Meager equally emphasizes the importance of proper lighting. “Don’t make it so dim that it’s hard to see, but also steer away from brightness levels that will have people wishing that they brought sunglasses,” he says.
Additionally, sommeliers across the board suggest steering clear of strong scents—festive holiday candles included. “Strong scents may interfere with your guests’ enjoyment of beverages and food,” he says. Elyse Lovenworth, Lead Sommelier at Sommsation, agrees. Her suggestion? Stick to unscented candles or light-up votives.
Lovenworth equally notes that while one can’t necessarily ask their guests to arrive sans perfume, that having good air circulation (and that placing a simple fan in the room will go a long way).
Whether hosting a full sit-down dinner or something more casual, having your menu planned out—with the majority of the courses assembled in advance—will alleviate stress the day of the party. Arias notes the importance of asking guests for allergies or preferences in advance, as well as prepping as much ahead as possible. “Guests hate waiting for food, so make sure you have everything almost ready,” he says, stating that this can make the flow of the entire party go smoother.
In terms of menu details, Meager suggests keeping it simple. “You don't want to spend your entire time in the kitchen plating food while your guests are having fun without you,” he says. Logistically speaking, Meager equally cites avoiding foods that are too saucy, messy, or potentially difficult to eat—as well as new recipes that could potentially go haywire. “One thing that's an absolute don't for holiday hosting is don't try a recipe for the first time,” he affirms, stating that keeping flavors relatively tame—that is, without ample spice or off-the-beaten-path ingredients—is generally the safest bet.
Similar to menu planning, choosing your wines with guests—and food—in mind is a solid way to set yourself up for success. Arias suggests not getting too esoteric with offerings, and that sticking to crowd-pleasing picks is best for a big group. Like the recipe anecdote above, Meager also recommends sticking to wines you know and love rather than popping the cork on something new. “The last thing you want to do is serve wine that nobody at the party likes, and quite honestly you don't like it either,” he says.
Additionally, Meager emphasizes the importance of serving wines at the proper temperature, which can be hard to do if put off until the last minute. “If you're pulling red wines from a temperature-controlled cellar, pull them at least an hour before the party starts,” he says. For whites, popping them in the refrigerator the night before will ensure ample chilling time. Above all, Arias highlights the importance of having a water station to ensure that guests stay hydrated throughout the soirée.
With regards to how much wine and spirits to have on hand, Lovenworth recommends gauging the vibe of the gathering (think tasting versus dinner versus alcohol-forward party), as well as considering wine servings in ounces. She explains that a standard-size, 750 mL bottle of wine clocks in at 25.3 ounces, which breaks down to about five glasses per bottle. “Will your guests drink five glasses in three hours? Know your audience, but generally one bottle maximum per person is enough,” she says. Moreover, if beer, spirits, and/or cocktails are also being served, you can also expect to serve less wine.
In addition to wine and spirits, Arias notes the importance of having enough glasses and plates, which can easily be solved by renting them. “These companies are generally affordable, and another advantage is that you won’t have to clean much after the party’s over,” he says, highlighting that the majority of rental companies accept returns without being washed.
With regards to how much wine and spirits to have on hand, Lovenworth recommends gauging the vibe of the gathering (think tasting versus dinner versus alcohol-forward party), as well as considering wine servings in ounces. She explains that a standard-size, 750 mL bottle of wine clocks in at 25.3 ounces, which breaks down to about five glasses per bottle. “Will your guests drink five glasses in three hours? Know your audience, but generally one bottle maximum per person is enough,” she says. Moreover, if beer, spirits, and/or cocktails are also being served, you can also expect to serve less wine.
In addition to wine and spirits, Arias notes the importance of having enough glasses and plates, which can easily be solved by renting them. “These companies are generally affordable, and another advantage is that you won’t have to clean much after the party’s over,” he says, highlighting that the majority of rental companies accept returns without being washed.
As with most family gatherings, parties, and work-related functions, we recommend keeping the conversation at your holiday party light—no matter how close you are with your guests. Arias states that this means avoiding sensitive topics including (but not limited to) religion, politics, and other personal subjects. “We are here to have a good time, and if you don't want to have a good time, you can go home,” he says.
Meager finds that the best way to prioritize guests is to prepare as much as possible in advance, so as to be able to spend as much time with our invitees as possible. “This requires a plan and help executing on that plan. Make a list and stick to that list!” he says. In addition to uncomfortable conversation topics (above), chaos and stress are equal party fouls, as they can completely throw off the ambiance of a room. Remember to be present and enjoy—after all, the point of the party is to spend time with loved ones. With enough careful preparation, the rest will all fall into place.
While games and group activities can be tough to navigate in a larger party setting, adding a level of interactive fun is still doable. Lovenworth recommends leaving out a silver or gold Sharpie marker alongside empty bottles, which allows guests to leave fun messages on their exteriors. “I have a collection of so many bottles with past jokes and memories,” she says. Should there be an abundance at the end of the night, give them away to your last-standing guests to take home as a festive souvenir.
Above all, Meager emphasizes to not turn away help when it’s offered. “If other guests can bring a side dish, a bottle of wine, or some other element to share, then it allows for more people to feel involved,” he says. Additionally, allowing guests to contribute to the food and beverage offerings opens up the conversation to learn about others’ holiday traditions, or why what they brought is particularly meaningful to them.
Arias equally highlights that having a friend or co-host help with cooking or cleaning will lighten your load as a host, and in turn, allow you to spend more time with your guests. “If you want to enjoy the party too, you will definitely need help!” he says. While too many cooks in the kitchen can often be a bad thing, in terms of holiday parties, the more the merrier.
(and Prepare Your Guest Room / Couch Just In Case!)
As always, safety comes first, especially when it comes to gatherings that involve drinking. Lovenworth recommends making sure that everyone has Uber, Lyft, or an alternative ride service app downloaded on their phone. As a backup plan, prepare your guest room—or couch space—in the event that someone has consumed a bit too much without organizing transportation in advance. As we said at the beginning, preparation is key, and it comes full circle with this final party step!
From our Sommsation family to yours, we wish you a safe, joyful, and wine-filled holiday season ahead!
