My very favorite time of year is here! The holidays provide so many opportunities for hosting family and friends and creating lasting memories with those who mean the most to you. While it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of making sure everything is just right, planning a holiday cocktail party doesn’t have to be stressful.
To help make planning a little easier, I have partnered with Lillet to share some tips for hosting a holiday cocktail party.
Pick a theme for the party and stick with it. The key to creating a cohesive party is to carry the colors or theme throughout even the smallest of details. For my holiday cocktail party, I wanted to create a moody and festive vibe for the decor, inspired by the Lillet mixed cocktails I would be serving. I selected rich red velvet linens for the table and black stoneware plates and patterned napkins for the place settings. Fresh florals, bottle brush trees, scarlet red tree ornaments and a hand lettered Christmas sign were a few of the other details that helped to tie the theme together.
Serve a signature cocktail. A signature cocktail is a fun and festive way to get the party started. Not only does a signature cocktail tie in a party theme, it is a great way to break the ice as guests walk in the door. For my holiday cocktail party, I picked two classic cocktails that complemented the charcuterie board I would be serving that evening. To add a little holiday glitz, I got creative with the drink garnishes by adding a DIY tinsel drink stirrer, fresh rosemary and seasonal cranberries. Get the recipes on how to make a Lillet French Blonde and Pomegranate Lillet Fizz here.
Create a seasonal charcuterie board. Whether you are serving a sit-down dinner or opt for a heavy appetizer party menu, make sure your guests have something to snack on as they arrive. I love to create a charcuterie board for the parties I host because it looks deceivingly impressive and also allows me prep everything ahead of time so I have more time for mingling with my guests. Stay tuned for instructions on how to make a stunning and budget-friendly holiday charcuterie board next week!
Provide plenty of photo ops. In the digital age that we live in, most people love a good instagram-worthy photo moment. Be thoughtful about the party decor and the layout of the space to ensure guests have a few fun options for taking photos during the party. A twinkling Christmas tree is one of the most obvious backdrops for a holiday party photo, but other vignettes such as a hand-lettered backdrop make for a great photo op too. If you plan to do a toast with the guests at the party, stage a camera and use a self-timer to capture the moment.
Whether you are hosting a large or small holiday gathering, I hope that you find these tips helpful. Be sure to stay tuned for our post Building a Holiday Charcuterie Board with Lillet coming out soon!
Must be 21+ to drink. Please enjoy Lillet responsibly.
Vendor Credits: Photography: Brittany Gidley Photography | Event Concept + Styling: One Stylish Party | Florals: Ashley’s Floral | Food Styling: Teaspoon of Sparkle | Cocktail Styling: Cocktails and Spanx.
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