So, you’re on hosting duties this Christmas with a house to dress and friends-of-friends to impress.
With an elegant party on the cards, there’s rather a lot to think about. From decorations to glassware, booze to pyjamas, our stress-free guide will help you stylishly jingle all the way to the big day.
The cards and gift wrap: Memo Press
If anyone understands the art of a beautiful package, it’s Alice Edwards, the former Tatler and Sunday Times Style jewellery editor who set up Memo Press after years searching for timeless stationery. Her Christmas collection, featuring pretty watercolour illustrations, from Nutcrackers to Mistletoe, has already sold out once. Luckily for you, they’re back in stock (for now).
Wrapping paper, £12.50, Cards pack, £20; memopress.co.uk
The Christmas tree: Green Elf Trees
There’s no shortage of Christmas tree companies in London but Green Elf Trees are among one of the most sustainable and ethical, offering households across the UK a chance to rent a beautiful pot-grown tree that’s replanted in afforestation projects in the South of England. Plus, for every order, £2 is donated to a charity of your choice.
From £74.99; greenelftrees.co.uk
The giant door bow: Straw London
This year it’s all about adorning your door with a giant gingham bow and Straw London’s are the best, all handcrafted in east London, with a two-week production time (so, get cracking). Unlike traditional wreaths, these linen bows are reusable and can be popped just about anywhere, above your fireplace or covering that hole in the wall you’ve been meaning to fill.
£145; strawlondon.co.uk
The scent: Jo Malone London
Christmas candles aren’t always suited to every nose but somehow the scent fairies at Jo Malone London have conjured up the very best of the season with this pleasing Ginger Biscuit interpretation. Rich and warming, it smells as if it’s been drizzled with caramel and tossed with roasted hazelnuts, an enveloping cosy warmth of fairy lights, fat socks and toasty fires.£59; jomalone.co.uk
The crackers: Happy Crackers
Aside from the fact these crackers are insanely good-looking, in cheerful stripes with extra sparkle to make the prettiest of Christmas tablescapes, they are also reusable year-after-year, and definitely not just for Christmas. Each cracker is handmade in Yorkshire using 100% cotton and comes with recycled paper confetti and space to stuff them with whatever treats you fancy.
From £135 for a box of 4; happycrackers.co.uk
The party platter: Berry and Brie
If you’ve agreed to throw the annual Christmas meet-up with your mates but have zero time to prep food, Berry and Brie’s feasting platters will come to the rescue. A show-stopping decoration and a crowd pleasing meal in one that’s laden with the finest charcuterie, artisanal cheeses, seasonal crudités, homemade baked goods and more, it’s a no-brainer.
From £85; berryandbrie.com
The tablecloth: H&M
Nothing beats chic candy cane stripes for an elegant Christmas tablescape and H&M’s red striped cotton and linen weave tablecloth is an easy win (plus, let’s face it, stripes never go out of style). Combine with matching cranberry-hued tableware for a striking effect or let the stripes do all the talking and pare everything else back.
£24.99; hm.com
The stockings: Volga Linen
Amongst the chaos of Christmas, it’s easy to forget about the humble stocking. There’s something reassuringly traditional about Volga Linen’s stockings, in earthy tones of moss green and pastel blues that were made for hanging elegantly against a roaring fire. They’re all up-cycled from the designer’s fabric cut-offs and hand-embroidered with your desired initials.
£150; volgalinen.com
The turkey: KellyBronze
Considered the ‘Rolls-Royce of turkeys’ if you’re hosting Christmas, you’ll want a KellyBronze. Paul Kelly and his family have been rearing these birds since the 1970s, and they’re free to roam in the wild woodlands at the family farm in Essex for three seasons. Nigella and Jamie are top customers, not to mention the fact they’re the centrepiece at the Windsor’s Christmas lunch.
From £76.81; kellybronze.co.uk
The champagne: Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé Champagne
There aren’t many bottles as photogenic as this one, perfect for a big occasion like Christmas. With its golden rosy hue and beautiful anemone-illustrated bottle, this Perrier-Jouët Rosé Champagne is delicately floral, with notes of wild strawberries and raspberries thanks to a blend of grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
£295; fortnumandmason.com
The ready-made cocktails: Kocktail
Everyone loves cocktails but we all know making them for a crowd is a bit of a bore (unless you’ve hired a bartender for the night). Cheat with Kocktail’s freshly-bottled cocktails. Just give a quick jiggle in a cocktail shaker for a professional finish. From gingerbread espressos to candy cane martinis and chocolate orange whisky sours, there’s something for everyone.
From £27; kocktail.co.uk
The glasses: Richard Brendon
Christmas parties are all about the glasses, they are the background accessory in every Instagram shot and absolutely need to do that fancy champagne justice. You’ll want these understatedly chic star motif crystal ones from British designer Richard Brendon at Claridge’s, with graceful long stems to show off your festive manicure.
£150, Claridge’s; shop.claridges.co.uk
The shoes: Emilia Wickstead
These scarlet satin jewel-buckle pumps by Emilia Wickstead could not be more perfect for the Christmas party season, not least because if you’re on hosting duties, the kitten heels won’t cripple. Wear with sheer black tights and your go-to party mini-dress and come the new year, pop them on with jeans, they’ll undeniably cheer you up through a bleak January.
£610; emiliawickstead.com
The Christmas day pyjamas: YOLKE x Salvesen Graham
Skip the novelty polar bear pyjamas this year, it’s far wiser to spend your money on a pair crafted from quality organic cotton that you can wear long past December 25. Luxury sleepwear brand YOLKE has collaborated with interior design house Salvesen Graham to design this stunning heritage winter floral set you’ll find yourself wanting to nest in all winter long.
£155; yolke.co.uk
The party dress: 16Arlington
If it’s your party, it’s only right that you’re the official disco ball of the evening. Turn to Scandi brand 16Arlington for the mini dress, made from tulle and covered in light-twinkling sequins, with bell sleeves and a peek-a-boo neckline. It’s razzle-dazzle at its finest and the above-knee length means you can easily get away with wearing this with a low heel, or even flats.
£950; net-a-porter.com
