Your Best Holiday Party Yet
How To: Your Best Holiday Party Yet
As the holiday season continues to inch closer, many of us entertaining enthusiasts find ourselves scrambling to get our space ready for holiday hosting. The eternal question is posed: How do we create an unforgettable gathering without committing major hosting crimes?
You want your party to be remembered for its festive atmosphere and joyful moments—with just the right amount of space and perfect lighting. By carefully arranging furniture, intentionally choosing colour and holiday décor , and using your eye for detail, you can ensure your celebration stands out for all the right reasons.
Thus, we’ve put together this guide of practical tips to keep you thriving through holiday dinner parties and the season of entertaining.
Holiday colour forecast
The colours of the winter season take on many delightful forms, from soft and neutral pastels to rich and opulent shades. This year’s holiday colour forecast has the usual suspects (hello red and green) as well as the fresh and trending: sage, mushroom and gingerbread. Evoking a sense of earthy richness and holiday baking, these colours add warmth, coziness and a generous helping of style.
Create space for conversation
When setting your dining table, aim for about 24 inches of elbow room between each guest. The goal is to give everyone enough personal space. This allows for easy movement and comfort when conversing. We’re not knocking packed-like-sardines seating arrangements à la European bistro. However, if there’s one thing we’ve learned about dinner parties, it’s that the best ones are those where there’s space for conversation to happen naturally.
Hosting in a small space? Not a problem. Extension tables are a simple and easy way to make room for more.
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Tailor your seating
The dining table is the heart of your holiday gathering, ensure it’s both inviting and comfortable. It’s not just the place settings that are important. Table seating is a meaningful detail to consider, one that’s always appreciated by guests. Think dining chairs, with padded cushions and supportive backs for conversations that roam well past dessert.
We’d like to give an honourable mention to leather and faux leather chairs. Offering comfort, style and simple maintenance, it’s worth considering for those who find themselves constantly dreading the clean-up portion of hosting.
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Use rugs for extra coziness
A well-chosen rug will effortlessly tie your dining area together. We recommend following the design rule of matching the shape of your dining table to your rug. It’s simple: round tables will look best on round rugs, while rectangular tables will pair nicely with rectangular rugs.
Aim for at least 24 inches of space between the table and the rug edges so chairs can easily be pulled out and tucked in under the table. For an even cozier vibe, layer in accent rugs and runners that can incorporate extra softness as well as the aforementioned seasonal colours.
Light the way
The right lighting can transform your space. The goal here is not too harsh, not too dim—but just right. Combinations of ambient and task lighting will check all the boxes and give you the option to adjust for different times of day. Bonus points go toward adjustable fixtures or dimmers that let you fully control the mood.
For a cozy setting, consider using a floor lamp that provides broad illumination and a warm glow. Task lighting may be a better option for activity-based events where specific lighting is required. (We love a good murder-mystery dinner party.) Smaller table lamps can create a soft ambience by filling in the gaps, while glow lamps provide a subtle, inviting light ideal for intimate gatherings.
Final touches for a memorable evening
The little things really do make a difference. To take your holiday entertaining one step further, consider thoughtful details like personalized place cards or fun table games. After a night of celebration, laughter and chatter, small take-home gifts can also keep guests thinking about the evening long after its ended.
For more inspiration and how-to guides, keep perusing the Right at Home Blog or find us on socials @urbanbarn.