Holiday season survival guide: How to host Christmas at your house like a pro

Christmas at yours this year and feeling overwhelmed? We asked the experts what their essentials are to hosting like a pro.

“There’s always this need to present our homes in the most perfect form come Christmas,” says interior designer and judge on The Block Darren Palmer. “To appear pulled-together and picture-perfect, to impress the in-laws and rellies. It’s really stressful, but it needn’t be.”

Therese Moussa, creative director at The Grounds of Alexandria, says the key to hosting (and keeping your sanity) is to stick to a strong theme. “Whether it is a colour, tradition or trend, be consistent and carry it throughout your home. It will flow beautifully and more importantly, effortlessly.”

Food

Try adding Christmas decorations to plates to create some texture on the table. Photo: William Meppem

“Christmas day has to be the most intense cooking day of the year, so the kitchen needs to be incredibly organised and well laid-out, ” says Palmer. “For me, the fridge is the entertainment hub. I have an LG SIGNATURE refrigerator with a stainless steel interior that makes it very clean and sterile. Which is important when you are feeding masses of people. It is seriously big too, so we can fit the family’s entire Christmas lunch in it. That includes a smoked ham, all the sides and salads and wine. There is even space to dedicate one whole shelf to just champagne.”

Moussa says once you know the menu, take time to consider the essential accoutrements required come lunch. “Especially key dishes like a large turkey or ham,” she says. “Work out how and where you can prep them and where you will plate them up.”

When it comes time to serving, consider your theme and prepare your table accordingly. “A mix of contemporary and vintage tableware always looks beautiful both aesthetically and practically,” says Moussa. “I like to place Christmas ornaments onto antique silver trays, that are removed when food is served. They add texture, height and glamour to the table.”

Drinks

Don’t forget to prepare your glassware well ahead of meal time. Photo: John Mangan

Plan your drinks, glassware and garnishes and have them prepped and ready-to-go well ahead of time. “Be sure to have enough glassware,” she says. “A full set is essential – water, wine and champagne. If you have vintage or crystal-cut glassware, now is the time to polish them up. Then plan your garnishes. I love placing edible flowers for a pop of colour in mine, and cinnamon quills and star anise for texture and a Christmas scent.”

For Palmer, there can never be enough filtered water and ice. “An ice and water dispenser is a lifesaver when entertaining,” he says. “It means you never run out. My LG SIGNATURE refrigerator even allows vessels of any height, which is brilliant for filling different style water jugs. It has digital controls that measure the exact amount of purified water it dispenses, so it fills to the right level while I get on with the cooking.”

Guests

A beautifully styled bedside table with all the necessities, along with fresh sheets, will make your guests feel at home. Photo: A Beautiful Mess

Stylist Rebecca Johnson from Bird Lifestyle says it is essential to make your spare room feel welcoming for visiting family and friends. “I like to make sure my guests have everything they need, as well as making it feel warm and stylish,” she says. “On the bedside table there is always a beautiful vase of white flowers, crystal water glass, pile of current magazines, a little handmade ceramic dish for their jewellery, and a scented candle,” she says.

A beautifully made bed requires high quality sheets, and Johnson says that means linen. “Along with enough pillows and a cashmere throw, linen is my non-negotiable,” she says. “Hale & Merchantile make the best and they only get better with wear. They look incredibly stylish and are beautiful to sleep in because they breathe.”

Palmer says along with guests, comes plenty of laundry. “My washing machine basically runs non-stop during Christmas,” he laughs. “I have an LG SIGNATURE twin wash washer dryer combo that you can set a timer on and it washes and dries everything to your schedule. It’s also great for those large, heavy linen tablecloths, because they come out crease-free. It’s a really helpful sideline to entertaining.”

Family time

After a big meal, guests will want to gravitate to the couch. Create a comfy space by adding lots of cushions and throw rugs. Photo: Eve Wilson

Post-lunch, nothing beats slumping in front of a good movie. “We eat too much, and just want to chill out,” laughs Palmer. “The quote ‘luxury that is not comfortable is not luxury’ is especially applicable here. Comfort is everything. For me, it’s all about texture. Beautiful soft furnishings, layers of light decorative cushions and plenty of cosy throw rugs create a beautiful environment and a really comfortable, flexible and relaxing space for the whole family.”

Moussa says that continuing your festive theme here is as important as ever. “Layer the coffee table with big glossy books, festive candles, and fill the corners of the rooms with oversized indoor plants for greenery. I like to hang a few plants too and drape them with feature lights. It’s a simple effect which looks magical in this space and adds a beautiful warm glow.”

The LG SIGNATURE Wallpaper TV serves as the main entertainment post lunch in Darren Palmer’s house.

When it comes time to be entertained, sublime image quality and surround sound is essential, says Palmer. “During lunch My LG SIGNATURE Wallpaper TV operates as a stereo and runs a constant image flow of family photos. Post-lunch, it’s movie time and provides us with a full cinematic experience, with brilliant image quality and Dolby surround sound. When on, the speakers pop up and the sound bounces off the walls for a full surround sound experience. Then on with the show!”