LET’S HAVE IT AT MINE

Words: Lindsay Samson | Styling: Sanri Pienaar | Images: Frances Marais

Ah, Christmas: festivities, food, family, friends and gifts galore. It’s the perfect time to kick back and make some brilliant new memories. And just as easy to overindulge and get carried away in the merriment. One glass of bubbles too many and before you know it, you’ve promised your nearest and dearest that you’ll be hosting this year’s festivities. Cue panic. How will all of your family and friends fit in your home? Where is everybody going to sit and where is the Christmas tree supposed to go? Should you even get one? Deep breath. We’ve got it covered.

If you’ve finally had to accept that there’s just no way all your guests can fit at your table for six, how about taking it to the floor? Lay down a stylish rug and scatter plenty of plush and stylish cushions for a relaxed get-together. Fun fact: according to Ayurvedic medicine, eating on the floor improves digestion, so besides being somewhat of a novelty for the festive season, it will also make your guests that much more comfortable after all that eating.

Keen to give an old recipe new life for festive season hosting? Just make sure you taste test it before any of your gatherings, so you know you’ll nail it on the big day. Glazed, spicy sweet potatoes, for example, are a great alternative to traditional roast potatoes. And if you’re bored of the usual bread-based stuffing, try mixing up the classic dish with different ingredients – mushrooms lend a delicious umami flavour and, unless your guests are vegetarians, throw in some Italian sausage for a spicy but sweet taste. Doing turkey this year? Try getting it in the oven on Christmas Eve. No one likes a dry turkey and this method allows it to cook gently and slowly and remain moist.

Here’s a clever addition to your holiday arsenal. A bar trolley will save you countless trips back and forth between the kitchen, bar, lounge, dining area and patio. Guests can pour and mix their own libations at your little mobile drinks station and your hands will be free to get to the really important things, like basting the turkey one more time. Select a cart with chic golden accents or dress it up yourself with a wreath made from poinsettia plants for festive flair. Pour your wine and spirits into beautiful decanters and place these on your cart, along with gorgeously textured glasses. To make your guests’ experience even more memorable, have a few cocktail books on hand. Just make sure the bar is stocked with all the essential ingredients and then let them go to town.

What’s a party without music? No party, if you ask us. Yes, we know festive season anthems can be annoying, but it’s always fun to get a little cheesy at this time of year. Get everybody into the spirit of things with some classic tunes and festive season favourite. Think Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas and Frank Sinatra’s A Jolly Good Christmas. And what’s the Christmas season without a little bit of Boney M? Load up the playlist and get your guests into the groove. Don’t forget to relax and enjoy yourself a little bit too: you deserve it.