5 top tips for throwing the perfect Christmas dinner party

Christmas is the perfect excuse to pull out all the stops and really take your hosting to another level. Wow your guests with every detail, from a champagne tower for welcome drinks to the ultimate tablescape for a dinner to remember.

Take some time to plan your event, and have fun with the prep and decorating. ‘Prior to hosting, I always make sure I have a handy festive checklist ready to elevate an evening and turn it into a real showstopper,’ says interiors influencer Jess Clark. Jess has used pieces from Habitat’s Christmas collection to add festive flair to her home when having guests over. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and you can make your party one for everyone to remember with Jess’s simple tricks.

Create a soft glow

Want to make your guests feel instantly welcome? Soft, warm lighting is key and over the holiday season it adds that all-important magical sparkle, too. ‘I think lighting is one of the most important elements of an evening,’ says Jess. ‘It really helps set the tone for your guests coming round.’

Brighten dull corners with twinkly fairy lights and candles, then make your table shine with a look-at-me centrepiece. Jess loves Habitat’s gold candelabra – ‘it’s a real statement piece,’ she says. Simply fill it with tea lights for a flickering glow that will bring your tablescape to life.

Dress the table

‘When it comes to my festive tableware I tend to go a little more neutral,’ says Jess. But neutral is by no means boring, as you can play with quirky shapes and unexpected flashes of colour to add visual interest and build a unique and style-savvy scheme. Look out for glassware with a little bit of colour (Habitat’s wine glasses with blue stems are the perfect colour hit). It’s all about styling it up to surprise and delight – ‘something your guests won’t see day to day’ – says Jess.

Get creative with your decs

When it comes to festive decorating, turn the spotlight on having fun and embracing the colours and finishing touches that will make your guests smile. ‘Christmas is such a happy, joyful, colourful time of year and I love to be able to reflect that in my decor as well,’ says Jess.

There’s so much you can do with a simple bauble. These little beauties are a must-have for your tree, but they can also add colour and sparkle to any surface. Dot them around your table and they’ll reflect the candlelight and tie your colour scheme together. Use them to fill a large glass vase, and you’ve got an instant centrepiece. Top tip: pop a little set of battery-operated fairy lights in with them to max out the shimmer.

Having food ready when guests arrive

‘I think it’s so important to have nibbles ready when your guests arrive. If they’re anything like me, they’ll want to be fed straight away!’ says Jess. Serve your festive snacks on plates and bowls that make a design statement. We love the ceramic star and tree nibble bowls from Habitat – their interesting shapes add a fun festive touch, while the white colourway brings a touch of elegance.

If you’ve got a sideboard, turn it into a drinks and nibbles station. Protect the surface with a runner or cloth (another great way to add colour), then line up treats for your guests to tuck into.

Wow guests with your drinks display

If you’ve always loved the idea of a show stopping champagne tower, but haven’t been brave enough, this is the year to give it a go! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’ll make sure your evening lasts long in guests’ memories. ‘You want something that is going to wow your guests,’ says Jess. Don’t be daunted – it’s easier to put together than you might think. Jess used Habitat’s gold rimmed champagne glasses to build her tower – the wide rims and bases add stability. Choose a square or triangle base, line up your first glasses evenly and build your tower slowly. It’s as simple as that!

For everything you need to nail your very own showstopper evening, check out Habitat’s full Christmas collection.