Interior Designer and Event Planners Share Holiday Hosting Tips

This article was prepared from the source material provided, which included tips from Lisa Simopoulos, MK Hennigan, and Cameron Forbes as quoted in the original content.

Hosting the entire family for the holidays can be stressful, but three entertaining experts say preparation and delegation can ease the burden. Lisa Simopoulos, founder of Northern California interior design firm Simopoulos Designs; MK Hennigan, founder of Southern-inspired provisions company In the Curious Kitchen; and Cameron Forbes, an event planner and founder of boutique event planning company Forbes Functions, shared their recommendations for tasks to tackle before a gathering, decorations to set out, and ways to avoid spending the evening mixing cocktails.

Credit: Simopoulos Designs / Photo by Tori Wible

Take inventory and plan the menu

Simopoulos advises hosts not to wait until the day of the party to count plates, bowls, and flatware. She says the task takes only 15 or 20 minutes. "If you know you usually have 10 to 12 people on average, see that you have enough to fill your table and if not, fill the gaps," she says.

She also suggests having a few go-to drinks and recipes in mind, along with shelf-stable ingredients. Simopoulos clears out her pantry and refrigerator specifically for holiday food so she knows what she has and what to buy.

Outsource food and drinks where possible

Simopoulos Designs / Photo by Tori Wible

Charcuterie boards are popular for parties, but Hennigan says hosts don't need to assemble one themselves. She recommends ordering from a local cheese shop. "They create beautiful boards and will make you look like the ultimate hostess," she says. "Don't forget to order the crackers and crostini, too."

Hennigan also suggests outsourcing alcohol from a favorite local shop, which can offer recommendations based on the menu and help determine how much is needed based on party size. If the store doesn't deliver, she recommends ordering in advance for easy pickup.

Set up a self-serve drink station and keep decor simple

To avoid playing bartender all evening, Forbes recommends assembling a stylish drink-making area with pre-made cocktails, mixers, and wines. "Elevate the experience further with a cute signature drink menu—you can find free design templates on Canva or get crafty with pen and paper," she says.

For decorations, Forbes suggests simple pieces like candles and greenery. "Incorporate a variety of tones and textures, like velvet, glass, and wood, to create a cozy, layered look," she says. "Add natural touches like pinecones, evergreen branches, or dried oranges for an organic feel."

Simopoulos Designs / Photo by Tori Wible

For the table, Simopoulos says to have fun but not overspend. "Shop your home first for inspiration, then shop the stores if needed," she says. "Set it up and enjoy it for the season." She recommends reviewing existing decorations ahead of time and creating a mood board or plan to avoid last-minute worry.

For formal dinners, Simopoulos advises getting linens cleaned and pressed ahead of time. To avoid pressing napkins, she suggests running them through a wash cycle, partially drying them, folding them into thirds by pressing them flat with your hands, and leaving them to air dry.