Ask Julia: Holiday Hosting Help!

I put out a call on Insta to see if anyone needed help with holiday hosting, and I had so many great replies. There were some questions that popped up multiple times too, so I compiled this Q&A to hopefully help you prep for a smooth and stress-free hosting season. It can feel intimidating to have it all prepared, but trust me, your guests are there to see you and not your perfectly set table. You can do this!

Serving Platter | Bow Plates | Flatware | Stemmed Glasses | Velvet Ribbon | Red Taper Candlesticks | Match Striker | Striped Tablecloth (similar) | Garland | Dining Chairs | Wallpaper | Gallery Wall | Wall Sconce | Chandelier

"Know any good make-ahead meals?"

We — and by we I mean Chris ;) — often make a caramelized onion frittata the day before and bake it day-of or make a big batch of high-protein breakfast wraps. Chris will make batches of Mexican-spiced chicken bowls that can either go in individual portions or one big batch for 8 people. Swedish meatballs are a delicious dinner this time of year and are easy to make ahead and reheat in a Crock-Pot.

"What vegetarian dishes would you serve?"

They may not be traditionally holiday dishes, but Chris's glass noodles with chili crisp & mushrooms are dynamite. He also has a stir-fry with cauliflower rice (could use regular rice) that is packed with flavor. You could also make sheet-pan nachos with two cans of black beans in place of the ground beef!

"Can you share some easy breakfast and lunch ideas?"

I love this question! It's all about getting things on the table with the least amount of effort and time. One-pan baked sausage and eggs is something you can have on the table in around 30 minutes. You can also make Chris's cucumber crunch salad and serve it over quinoa or farro to make it a heartier, but still light lunch. Friends still rave about that one!

"What are some easy food ideas?"

Oval Platter | Dish Towel (similar) | Cocktail Skewers

You have to try candied ham bites (they prep in 5 minutes and feed a crowd) or skillet white bean dip—they're great appetizers. If you want an easy lunch that's really fresh and bright, serve chili lime grilled shrimp with a large salad. Or try a showpiece like easy overnight ham. For dessert, mixed berry dump cake is delicious and takes minutes to prep before it goes in the oven.

"What should I make for a large crowd?"

A few years ago, Chris whipped up a feast featuring a juicy beef tenderloin (7 pounds of meat for 21 people), creamy mashed potatoes, grilled carrots, and a refreshing green salad with blue cheese crumbles (try this one!) for a big dinner party we hosted. This easy overnight ham is perfect for the holidays. We put out a big charcuterie board to keep people snacking before the meal. A baked potato bar is another great option (try my recipe for perfectly baked potatoes!) or a hot dog bar with tons of fun toppings.

"I need help with setting the table!"

Shop The Dining Room

I like to stick to a few key colors, and even a monochromatic palette can look very elevated. Like tablecloths and napkins with shades of burgundy, emerald green, or even a warm gold. You can also do a two-tone stripe, letting one color pop like red & white. I don't like anything too fussy—it's also a great look to mix and match plates, silverware and glassware, so don't feel like you have to have a full set of anything. Add some tapered candles in different heights for drama. And keep the flower arrangements low so people can talk over them easily! Check out this guide to setting the table—from just the essentials to all-out drama!

"Do you have any favor ideas?"

A little token of the party or dinner is a fun way to commemorate it, like a polaroid you took of them and their plus one. A roll of ribbon is festive and useful—you could put a piece of pie in a box to go with it! There are mini poinsettias at local garden stores that would be sweet too.

"What are your tips for overnight guests?"

Shop The Guest House

It's so fun to put together a guest basket full of things they may have forgotten plus some things that will make their stay more cozy (like a phone charger, dry shampoo, makeup wipes, and a pair of slippers!). I also like to put together a big charcuterie board that's ready when they arrive, so a snack/dinner is there for you so you can catch up and not be stuck in the kitchen. Check out these ideas for entertaining them during their stay. If you're converting a room into a temporary guest room, here are my tips!

"What should I do for name cards?"

I've used a fresh, ripe pear, with a name banner taped around the stem. For something more casual, you can take mini Instax photos of the guests even right as they arrive and write their names underneath to put on the plates as they're snacking on appetizers. I bought a blank name card set from Amazon that came in a pack of 200 cards, and I write guests names in cursive and use others to label the items on the buffet.

"Help me find a good tablecloth!"

For me, I don't necessarily want the tablecloth to steal the show. I prefer to use a simple stripe or tartan pattern as the backdrop for my table settings. Once you layer in some shiny candlesticks (I love to add velvet bows to mine!) and some greenery you've got a beautiful combination of elements that makes the table shine.

Shop Holiday Tablecloths

"Where can I find pretty serveware?"

We have a big extended family and Chris is always pulling out all the stops for holiday get togethers so I tend to mix in some festive platters and serving pieces with my everyday ones. I think it's nice to have a mix! Find a great show-stopping holiday platter you love and let that be the centerpiece. There are some pretty holiday serving utensils out there but I think a beautiful polished silver or gold feels elevated even if it's not themed for Christmas. Fun note: I never had a pie server until recently, and it’s such a luxury item. You can find vintage ones online through Etsy that are just beautiful.

Shop Holiday Serveware

"What are some games to play with a big group?"

We love to play Chameleon with up to 8 players, and Clue Conspiracy and Take 5 take up to 10 players. If you have up to 12 players, try Wavelength and Nertz and Telestrations Party (cracks me up every time). And if you have a party, LRC Wild, Like Minds, Really Loud Librarians, and Yahtzee can take unlimited players!

"What are some holiday activity ideas?"

DIY Faux Gingerbread Houses

Here are some activity ideas that make for a great time with friends and family:

• Do a taste test: Buy a bunch of apple ciders, hot chocolates, or eggnogs and get mini cups that you can label so that people can vote on their favorites. Even the kids love this one!
• Plan something outside: It can feel a little claustrophobic to be stuck inside, so go for an evening walk to look at Christmas lights or set up the fire pit and roast some holiday s'mores. If the weather is bad, you can always pack up the car and caravan around to the best Christmas lights in town.
• Set up a talent show: I mentioned in Love Letter (sign up here for future notes!) that my family used to do talent shows at our uncle's house growing up for some of the holidays. You can either prep people in advance, or give them a last-minute twist—like pairing up with another person at the event to do an interactive talent. We're always laughing during showtime.
• Make gingerbread houses: You can buy the kits from the store or even just make faux gingerbread houses from paper mache houses. This is a great take-home for the guests who drove to see you.
• Plan a quiet activity: For the moments when you need some downtime, I love to get a big Christmas puzzle, make something delicious in the Crock-Pot, get out some snacks and put a Christmas movie on in the background while we put the puzzle together.
• Host Christmas karaoke: Get an inexpensive karaoke set or find an app, and belt out Bing Crosby to your heart's content.
• Go to a holiday market: Many towns host pop-ups for the holidays that are based on the European markets. These can be so fun to window shop while you drink a cozy hot beverage. You may find a gem!
• Do a food "crawl": Choose one food item (maybe it's chicken wings, maybe it's Brussels sprouts) and go to a few restaurants around town that do that thing well. It's so fun to decide which place has your favorite variation.

What are your holiday hosting tips you've gathered over the years? I'd love to hear them!