The holidays are right around the corner, and my favorite part of this season is the excuse to spend more time with family and friends. Gift exchanges, work parties, the friend reunion that only happens in December: there’s always a reason to raise a glass. Love that!
Lately, Bob and I have really loved hosting. If you ask me, a holiday cocktail party is the best way to do it – a little dash of festive and a dash of glam. Plus, it’s way less work than a sit-down dinner. Best of all, it gives everyone a reason to dress up, and instead of being in the kitchen prepping dishes, you actually get to spend time and talk with guests.
There’s something so special about gathering people together and making them feel special through the food, the décor and all the little details. So I rounded up everything I’ve learned, from my two signature drinks to my mom’s famous crab dip. (Spoiler: buy more ice than you think you need.)
My Holiday Cocktail Party Game Plan (the Short Version)
- Pick the room where everyone will actually gather.
- Set a dress code, and put it on the invite.
- Serve two signature drinks: one warm, one cold.
- Make bites you can eat with one hand.
- Think through the boring logistics now, so you can relax later.
- Press play on a great playlist before anyone arrives.
- Style the bar cart. It’s the star of the night.
- Set the mood with lighting, flowers and a few holiday touches.
- Wear something festive (and comfy!).
1. Pick the Room Where Everyone Will Gather
At the lake house, our go-to spot with company is always the living room. Sure, it has gorgeous views of the lake, but there’s also the fireplace and a super cozy and comfy vibe. No matter how carefully we plan, that’s where everyone ends up, so we’ve stopped fighting it and lean in.
My advice is to set up the main room as the heart of the party and then give people a reason to move around the home. For example, place drinks in one spot, food in another, and games and books for kids in another.
The non-negotiable? Somewhere to set a drink down. I can’t stand water marks on furniture, so we always make sure to scatter a few small side tables and stacks of coasters knowing our furniture will thank us later.
2. Set the Dress Code (and Put It on the Invite)
Half the fun of a cocktail party is getting dressed for it, so it’s helpful to establish a dress code. Think “festive cocktail attire” for sequins and velvet. “Cozy holiday” for sweaters and maybe a velvet headband. All in all, it doesn’t leave guests guessing and creating a cohesive vibe for fun photos. It’s no a fun feeling showing up overdressed, or worse, underdressed!
3. Serve Two Signature Drinks: One Warm, One Cold
Please enjoy responsibly. 21+ only.
I used to think more options meant a better party. Nope! More options just mean more shopping and more prep. Now I do two signature drinks, one warm and one cold, plus something alcohol-free so everyone has a festive glass in hand. We also have plenty of water, sparkling water, mixers, and sodas.
The warm one: mulled wine. It’s absolutely delicious, and honestly, half the reason I make it is that it makes the whole house smell phenomenal. Let it simmer low on the stove with mulling spices (this set comes with a spice ball, which makes cleanup so easy), then ladle it into mugs as guests arrive.
The cold one: Ina Garten’s Pomegranate Gimlets. Ina never misses, and her Pomegranate Gimlets are as festive as it gets: gin, pomegranate and fresh lime in that gorgeous holiday red. Even better, you mix the whole batch in a pitcher ahead of time and just shake to serve in gold rim coupes.
Alcohol-free: a Christmas punch with ginger ale, cranberry and citrus, so no one is left out. It’s also delicious!
My Tartan Table Inspiration
Want the bar and the table to feel extra festive? Tartan is my answer every single December. I love mixing classic plaid, like these Stewart plaid dinner plates and scalloped tartan napkins tied up with a tartan bow napkin ring, with sparkling crystal and a little silver. A cut crystal decanter and a cut glass punch bowl make the whole table feel elevated, and the plaid keeps it cozy.
4. Make Bites You Can Eat With One Hand
If it needs a knife and fork, it’s not cocktail party food. A big cheese and charcuterie board does half the work for you, and I love this Italian olivewood charcuterie board (here are more of the charcuterie boards I love). Add a few warm bites like jalapeño poppers, stuffed mushrooms and shrimp in any form, and something sweet. It’s not a holiday party without dessert!
My Mom’s Famous Crab Dip Recipe
One of the most nostalgic recipes for me is my mom’s crab dip. I’ll be honest: it’s not the prettiest thing on the table, but it’s DELICIOUS. Moreover, it’s perfect for a bigger party, and it’s always the first thing gone.
- Place a block of Philadelphia cream cheese on a serving plate.
- Pour your favorite red cocktail sauce over the top (this is the one we swear by).
- Pile fresh crab meat on top of that.
- Serve with Ritz crackers and fresh veggies.
That’s it! SO easy, and truly a crowd favorite every single time.
5. Think Through the Boring Stuff Now
These are the parts of party planning no one really talks about. I find it makes the difference between enjoying your own party and spending it running around refilling the ice. A few things I always sort out ahead of time:
- Where coats go. A bed, a rack or a cleared-out closet.
- Ice. Buy double or triple what you think, seriously.
- Trash and recycling where guests can see them. Check them often in case they need to be redone.
- Extra everything: napkins, glasses, toilet paper, candles. You’ll use it eventually (and the cuter the better). This is my go-to brand for cute napkins and paper plates.
- Getting home safely. Have rideshare info or a ride plan handy for anyone who needs it.
6. Press Play on a Great Playlist
Music sets the mood more than any decoration. My current favorite is A Very Nancy Meyers Christmas on Spotify, which basically makes your living room feel like the set of The Holiday. Keep it loud enough to feel festive and quiet enough to talk over.
7. Style the Bar Cart
The bar cart or countertop bar set-up is the water cooler of a cocktail party. It’s where everyone gathers, chats and lingers. Stock the basics first: your spirits and mixers, a shaker and bar tools, an ice bucket and pretty glassware. Gold-rimmed coupes always feel festive to me. Then make it feel like the holidays with greenery, a few ornaments in a bowl and a chinoiserie champagne bucket for the bubbly. I love this brass bar cart for a party setup – so chic!
For more ideas, here are my favorite bar carts and how I style them year-round.
8. Set the Mood With Lighting, Flowers and Holiday Touches
Think glamorous, not just Christmas-y, and dim the overhead lights and turn on every lamp for a cozy feel. Very Nancy Meyers, y’know? I love to light candles everywhere (these brass taper holders are so pretty), add fresh flowers and pull a few holiday touches through the room, like garland on the mantel or a velvet ribbon on the bar cart.
If you’re setting out food, I highly recommend breaking out your best dishes that typically collect dust. After all, this is the time to use your good stuff, and they always make your tables and countertops look so elegant. For an extra special touch, I always purchase festive napkins in fun patterns and prints. My Tuckernuck table is one of my favorite setups – they have such gorgeous home pieces.
Looking to elevate other areas of the home for the party? Check out the five ways I decorate for the holidays for some helpful tips to elevate each space.
9. What I Wear to Host (Hint: Slippers!)
OK, let’s talk about the most important part: what are you wearing?! When we host this year, I’ll most likely be in my Sail to Sable x Style Charade Anne Velvet Midi Dress. It’s SO comfortable it feels like pajamas, but it also looks so luxe. Plus, we’re a shoe-free home (Bob and I always wear house slippers), so I pair it with a chic pair of cozy slippers. Hostess-approved and comfy all night long!
Shop the rest of my Sail to Sable x Style Charade Holiday 2026 Collection for more party-ready pieces, and see these party dresses if you’re going full sparkle.
My Holiday Hosting Edit
These are the pieces that make holiday hosting easier, and certainly a lot prettier.
Shop My Full Holiday Cocktail Party Edit
Want even more ideas? I rounded up 50 of my favorite pieces for hosting this season, from the bar cart and the table to hostess gifts and what to wear. Scroll through and shop the whole edit below.
Holiday Cocktail Party FAQ
How many cocktails should I serve at a holiday party?
Two signature drinks (one warm, one cold) plus an alcohol-free option is plenty. It keeps prep simple and still gives everyone a choice.
What food should I serve at a holiday cocktail party?
Anything you can eat with one hand while holding a drink: a charcuterie board, warm dips, shrimp and a small dessert. My mom’s crab dip is always the first thing gone.
What do you wear to host a holiday cocktail party?
Something festive that you can stand and move around in all night. I love a matching set or midi dress. Plus, since we’re a shoe-free home, I pair it with chic slippers. In fact, I even purchase some comfy socks in case guests forget theirs. It’s an easy, affordable way to make guests feel at home (and they obviously can take them home with them). These are the ones I always have in a cute basket by the front door in case someone needs them.
Cheers to the Season!
Here’s the secret: nobody remembers whether the napkins matched. They remember feeling welcome, a great drink in their hand and the people around them. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season ahead, and please drop a comment below and share your trips. I’d love to hear how you keep things festive and effortless in the months ahead.
