- New
-
Outdoors & Leisure
Back
- Featured Brands
- Little Dutch
- Retreat
- Elizabeth Scarlett
- Fermob
- Garden Glory
View all Outdoors & Leisure
-
Home Accessories
Back
- Shop by Category
- Candles & Home Fragrance
- Clocks
- Curtains
- Cushions
- Decorative Accessories
- Door Mats
- Door Stops & Draught Excluders
- Fireplace Accessories
- Featured Brands
- Luxe
- Essentials
- Retreat
- Global Explorer
- Alessi
- Assouline
- Fornasetti
- Jonathan Adler
- Missoni Home
-
Dining
Back
- Shop by Category
- Barware
- Coasters & Placemats
- Cutlery
- Glassware
- Picnicware
- Serveware
- Featured Brands
- Luxe
- Global Explorer
- Essentials
- Retreat
- Christofle
- Cutipol
View all Dining
-
Kitchen
Back
- Shop by Category
- Bakeware
- Cleaning & Utility
- Cookware
- Food & Drink
- Food Preparation
- Hob Kettles
- Kitchen Appliances
- Featured Brands
- Luxe
- Retreat
- Alessi
- Boska
- Casa Bugatti
- Emile Henry
-
Bedroom
Back
- Featured Brands
- Luxe
- Essentials
- Etro
- Missoni Home
- Ralph Lauren Home
- Bathroom
-
Furniture
Back
- Shop by Category
- Armchairs
- Bean Bags
- Beds
- Benches
- Bookcases & Shelving
- Cabinets & Sideboards
- Chairs
- Chaise Longues & Day Beds
- Featured Brands
- Luxe
- Global Explorer
- Essentials
- Retreat
- Bloomingville
- Fatboy
- Fornasetti
-
Lighting
Back
- Shop by Category
- Ceiling Lights
- Floor Lamps
- Giftable Lighting
- Kids' Lighting
- Lamp Shades
- Light Bulbs
- Featured Brands
- &Tradition
- Anglepoise
- Bover
- Edgar Home
- Flos
- Gingko
-
Home Office
Back
- Featured Brands
- Essentials
- &Tradition
- Broste Copenhagen
- Gangzai
- Horm & Casamania
- Kartell
View all Home Office
-
Baby & Kids
Back
- Featured Brands
- Bloomingville
- EO
- Ferm Living
- IVI World
View all Baby & Kids
-
Brands
Back
- Brands
- Best Selling Brands
- Essentials
- Global Explorer
- Luxe
- Retreat
- Missoni Home
- Kartell
- Fornasetti
- Ralph Lauren Home
- New Brands
- Little Dutch
- Lacoste
- Gathre
- Venini
- Space Hotel
- WIJCK
- Miller Harris
- Rug Republic
- Featured Brands
- Etro
- Christy
- Cutipol
- Normann Copenhagen
- Bloomingville
- Ferm Living
- Broste Copenhagen
- Aquanova
View all Brands
-
Gifts
Back
- Gifts
- Gifts by Recipient
- Gifts for Her
- Gifts for Him
- Gifts for Kids
- Gifts for Couples
- Gifts for Pets
- Gifts by Occasion
- Mother's Day
- Anniversary
- Birthday Gifts
- Christening
- Engagement
- Housewarming
- Wedding
- Gifts by Interest
- Luxury Gifts
- Games, Books & Stationery Gifts
- Skincare & Wellbeing Gifts
- Tech Gifts
- Food & Drink Gifts
- Unusual Gifts
- Gift Sets
- Novelty Gifts
- Gifts by Price
- Less than £50
- £50 - £100
- £100 - £250
- £250 - £500
- £500 - £1,000
- £1,000 - £1,500
- £1,500 - £2,000
- More than £2,000
- Ideas
-
Sale
Back
- Sale
- Shop by Category
- Bedroom
- Bathroom
- Dining
- Home Accessories
- Cushions
- Featured Brands
- Essentials
- Global Explorer
- Luxe
- Retreat
- Key Offers
- Up to 30% OFF Missoni Home
- Up to 40% OFF Ralph Lauren Home
- Up to 50% OFF Liberty London
- Up to 50% OFF UGG
View all Sale
5 Tips for Last Minute Hosting at Christmas
5 Dec 2018
Christmas is the time for over indulging in food, drinks and friendships and although we can plan for some celebrations and get-togethers, the festive season brings many surprises and impromptu gatherings that just can't be planned. Today Natalie Ellen Cobb, Event Planner at Private Dining London and Event Director at Event Setters gives her top tips for last minute hosting of those unexpected dinner parties at over the festive season…
1. Food & Drinks
Last minute hosting means extra mouths to feed at short notice, so it goes without saying that you need to be tactical with your next visit to the supermarket. Stock your wine rack with some bubbles, bottles of good wine, pre-made mulled wine and some fun non-alcoholic alternatives. The fridge should have a good range of delicious cheeses and cured meats that’ll keep well, ready for guests to dig into. Try having some mince pies, nuts and snacks in the dry cupboard for emergencies. If your kitchen is prepared, you will be prepared!
2. Standing or Seated?
Sometimes we may struggle to accommodate guests at short notice due to space at home or furniture. If you don’t feel you have enough capacity for a sit down event when it comes to last minute hosting I’d suggest making your impromptu party a standing affair. Canapes, charcuteries and standing drinks can be easier to host and put together so may be a preferential option.
3. Setting the Scene
In terms of decor, filling your house with a festive tree, winter-scented candles and seasonal flowers will ensure that your house is ready for any unexpected guests and a cosy atmosphere can be created easily. Bring out your best tableware and cutlery if you feel the occasion deserves it and Christmas music will set the perfect background for entertaining.
4. Dress to Impress
We can’t be dressed festive constantly in the hope that we may have an invitation to a last minute party but a good trick is to have a simple but glam dress in your wardrobe and a fun Christmas jumper for something more casual so that you have options to be ready at very short notice, perfect for last minute hosting.
5. Don’t Panic, Relax and be Festive!
The biggest tip I can give for last minute hosting this festive season is to celebrate and enjoy the moment. Welcoming guests into your home should be a pleasure and fun so follow the tips above, have some lovely drinks and spend time with friends that you enjoy the company of. This way, your impromptu party will be a festive success!