This isn't the time to be tweezing micro herbs onto dishes if you usually stay out of the kitchen. Personally, I love to bake. So I seized the opportunity to create a showpiece Christmas Pavlova. Cook the meringues the night before (Delia knows best). For my other bake, I love the saltiness of cheese straws with drinks. I need to learn my father's recipe tricks over the holidays but essentially, I made shortcrust pastry ((I prefer its stability and crispy texture compared to puff), added generous handfuls of Parmigiano Reggiano and baked until golden. For my final flourish, a sparkling, easy festive cocktail: Pomegranate Mimosas.

Much though I love a seating plan, the drop-in, relaxed nature of drinks fits the festive period. Plus you can say yes to plus ones (or plus threes) even last minute.

Learn when and how to delegate. This might be peeling sprouts, setting the table or in my case, ordering restaurant-level canapés delivered to my door from Pocket Rocket. The menu included Dorset crab doughnuts, butternut squash tahini logs and miniature beef wellingtons. All made with responsibly sourced produce and the luxury flair for which Rocket caterers are renowned.* The handmade teal serving platters by DB Ceramic make it even more special (pro tip - beautiful serving dishes elevate even Twiglets!).
*PR gift

This peony print tablecloth might seem summery but with a festive colour palette and accessories, it's an elegant tablescape for December. Pink adds modernity and romance to traditional red and green. The centrepiece layers these colours: candles beribboned with grograin or tiny painted bows in glossy sage candlesticks. Single anemone mistral flowers in bud vases are an easy, affordable way to add flowers. Note how the flowers and candles are at different heights to intrigue the eye. Then pomegranates, cranberries and spruce twist and cluster between these vases.

I recently heard brilliant chef and regular host Clodagh McKenna sing the praises of organisation: "discipline gives you freedom." Make a plan, break down the tasks and tackle them over a few evenings before your party. That way, you’ll feel relaxed on the night—setting the tone for your guests.

With thanks to:

Canapes: Pocket Rocket
Plates & bowls: DB Ceramic

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