Hosting a festive party is an art form. It's not simply about feeding people and pouring drinks, though that’s a good place to start. The truly accomplished hosts convey effortlessness, charm, and no small amount of elegance. Your evening must sing with conviviality, a well-balanced blend of impeccable style, delectable food and drink, and sparkling conversation. The Italian term 'sprezzatura' says it perfectly: perform a difficult task so gracefully, that it looks effortless. The trick is in the orchestration—and the choreography starts with what you wear.
Dressing to Impress: The Choreography of Couples Style
First impressions are everything, even when welcoming familiar faces. As the hosts, you are the North Star of the evening, guiding your guests to the lofty heights of sartorial festivity. This means planning your wardrobes with discerning precision while ensuring that, as a couple, you don’t look like you’re heading to a costume competition.
For the Gentlemen: When it comes to Christmas and New Year, your arsenal must include a versatile dinner jacket. Favourbrook’s black tuxedo jackets, for example, exude confidence and are easy to style with a pleated dress shirt, silk bow tie, and classic black dress trousers. If the occasion leans towards cocktail attire, a double-breasted velvet jacket in deep emerald or burgundy strikes the perfect festive note.
For the Ladies: It’s a truth universally acknowledged that a woman in possession of a chic evening dress will command the room. Favourbrook’s silk-organza pieces or velvet dresses in jewel tones are ideal for both Christmas and New Year- rich, elegant fabrics that celebrate the season. A silk jumpsuit is another fantastic option that is a breeze to style and looks very contemporary. Accessorise with a statement clutch and subtle jewellery, and remember that your partner’s velvet should never upstage your ensemble. Coordination is key, not competition.
Your aim is to complement one another, like Champagne and oysters. He in sapphire blue velvet, you in a black velvet blazer with similarly sapphire blue sling backs —cohesive yet individual. Avoid matching to the point of parody. If one of you opts for a bold statement piece, the other should lean into refined simplicity. Aesthetic harmony is the secret ingredient to dressing as a couple.
Drinks Strategy: What to Serve and When
The drinks are just as important as the décor—perhaps more so. In On Drink, Kingsley Amis proclaims, “The human qualities can be divided into two categories: the anti-drink and the pro-drink.” You, of course, are hosting for the pro-drink contingent.
The Reception: Always begin with Champagne or a sparkling equivalent. It sets the tone: celebratory, sophisticated, and slightly decadent. Opt for a cold Brut to whet appetites, served in coupe glasses if you want to channel Gatsby-esque glamour. As Amis opines, start with your best, and get progressively more plonkish. Your guests will neither know nor care at that stage
Cocktails: Once the guests have settled, it’s time to offer a signature cocktail. For Christmas, a Negroni with a hint of clove or orange peel nods to the season’s flavours without resembling a mulled wine accident. For New Year, serve Martinis. They are clean, sharp, and - crucially - quick to prepare. As Amis advises, the Martini is not a drink to be tinkered with: gin, vermouth, and an olive. If someone asks for a twist, oblige with mild disdain.
Wine Strategy: Over-complicating the wine list is a rookie mistake. A reliable red (Bordeaux or Burgundy) and a crisp white (Chablis or Sancerre) will cover all bases. If guests bring bottles, smile graciously and keep the duds in reserve for the overly enthusiastic.
The Finale: End the evening with a final flourish: a small glass of vintage port or a splash of cognac. Always keep a bottle of something with kneecapping potential - absinthe or Chartreuse will send everyone on their merry way.
Food Strategy: Tasteful, Simple, and Effortless
The food should serve the party, not the other way around. You are the hosts, not harried sous chefs glued to the hob while your guests drink unattended.
Canapés to Start: Nothing says “effortless” like a silver tray of elegant canapés. Smoked salmon blinis are a classic (and for good reason), while parmesan gougères offer bite-sized bursts of indulgence. Avoid anything messy or overly garlicky - you’re cultivating grace, not chaos.
The Main Event: For a Christmas bash, a glazed ham served with fresh bread and cranberry relish is a winning centrepiece. It requires minimal preparation and satisfies both the hungry and the peckish. Pair it with a simple winter slaw of cabbage, apple, and fennel for a refreshing crunch.
For New Year’s Eve, switch to finger food. Beef carpaccio crostini, prawn cocktails served in chic glassware, and mini tartlets filled with wild mushrooms and Gruyère allow guests to graze as they dance toward midnight.
Something Sweet: Trays of dark chocolate truffles dusted with cocoa are all you need. They’re indulgent, shareable, and leave no plates to scrape clean. Serve alongside espresso for a welcome caffeine hit.
Final Touches
You’ve nailed the outfits, orchestrated the drinks, and served the perfect food. Now, the final flourishes.
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The Playlist: Avoid Christmas cheese unless it’s after 10 p.m. Instead, opt for jazz—Miles Davis, Chet Baker, or the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack. For New Year, an upbeat mix of funk and soul will carry you into the early hours.
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Lighting: Dim the overheads and use candles wherever possible. It’s forgiving, flattering, and makes everything and everyone look better. In our experience, dim lighting seems to accelerate the inebriation process somehow.
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The Toast: Prepare a pithy line or two to toast your guests. Something charming, slightly irreverent, and suitably brief.
The Parting Shot
A great party is a performance, and as hosts, you are its directors, stars, and critics. The goal is for your guests to leave thinking, How do they do it? Of course, you’ll know the answer: careful choreography, impeccable taste, and a touch of Favourbrook’s signature style. So raise your glass, enjoy the applause, and don’t forget to bask in the satisfaction of being the consummate couple this festive season.
