Get into the Christmas party mood

FREELANCE stylist Crystal Yap is no stranger to hosting. For the past few years, she has been offering private dining, initially via word of mouth through her friends and contacts, and more recently on the Pelago booking platform.

But while she is currently taking a break this holiday season to recharge and will restart bookings in January 2022, she will be cooking up a Christmas feast for her family.

It has always been a family tradition to celebrate Christmas at her grandmother's home but that stopped after she passed on. "Since then I have been hosting Christmas parties at my home or celebrating it at a friend's home instead of dining out. I prefer it that way as it just feels more homely and Christmassy," says Yap.

She adds: "We usually have a traditional meal at home on Christmas Eve, the kids will leave cookies and milk out for Santa Claus before bed while the adults indulge in more festive drinking and we open our presents together on Christmas morning."

Start with a theme

But whether it is a big party or in the case of this year, limited to five guests to a household, Yap says a memorable party always starts with a theme, as it makes it more fun for all guests, regardless of age.

"It not only elevates the fun and party factor but it allows people to take their minds off their usual and get into the whole holiday mode," she says.

For those who are up for a laugh, Yap suggests a 1980s fashion theme or for guests to come dressed as their favourite icon. "The simplest option for those who want to play safe would be to go with a colour theme - so you get group shots that will look seamless and Instagram worthy," says Yap.

Ceramic artist Rosalind Boots-Lim chooses a colour theme for her Christmas dinner parties based on the colours on her Christmas tree.

This year, her tree is adorned with gold ornaments, and so her table setting will follow suit. She will be using her gold chinaware. "But don't fret if you don't have things of that particular colour, it can be as simple as having a gold napkin ring, or a gold box of chocolates."

Boots-Lim also prepares theme-appropriate props for her guests to wear, so no one will feel left out.

Astrie Sunindar-Ratner, founder of A - The Etiquette Consultancy says: "Choose themes that you are familiar with, it takes away the pressure. Sometimes we get tempted to do things so over the top that it creates additional stress."

Some of her suggestions include White Winter Wonderland, Christmas Tea Party, Fondue Christmas or Back to Nature Christmas done outdoors or on the balcony.

Feeding your guests

While Boots-Lim hosts small parties every month, because she loves connecting with people, she isn't shy to admit that she doesn't do all the cooking.

"There is no shame in ordering food," she says. She is getting a turkey for Christmas, but is making two appetisers and dessert on her own.

Besides dietary restrictions, Lim also considers her guests' dietary preferences, such as offering gluten-free bread for those who prefer it.

She also uses seasonal ingredients, such as Argentinian cherries and Australian lychees for her pavlova this Christmas.

"I like to use good quality food that is in season, so that the dish tastes as good as it looks," she says.

Sunindar-Ratner always asks for her guests' dietary restrictions, then works the menu around it. Special dishes are marked and separated. "During dinner, please be subtle about explaining the different dishes, or rather don't make a big scene to avoid making your guest feel uncomfortable."

She adds that hosts should also keep in mind that not everyone drinks alcohol. "Be sensitive to those who are not drinking alcohol by providing lovely non-alcoholic drinks or mocktails."

Setting the table

Melissa Wang, creative and production head at floral boutique Wonderland Botanicals recommends having flowers on the table.

"A live table runner makes the Christmas ambience the focal point of your dining hall immediately. The scents of fresh festive foliage on your table, dressed with candles and tealights envelop your guests as they enjoy the Christmas dinner spread," says Wang.

But while traditional colours like red, green and white are safe options, Wang suggests throwing a tropical Christmas party this year.

"Christmas will be celebrated mainly at home in small groups this year, much like the last. So for two years running, the classic red, white and green themes can feel like Groundhog Day," she says. "We wanted to inspire a sense of newness and joy this year by showing how traditional Christmas decorations such as garlands, wreaths and even the tree can be exciting and still festive in tropical colours."

Wonderland Botanicals' offerings this year feature a mix of spider amaryllis, nerine, double red tulips, and even orchids.

To make her guests feel welcome, Sunindar-Ratner will handwrite menus or make personalised place cards with a little note or flower attached. "These small touches make everything look and feel pulled together," she says.

Boots-Lim always sets the table a day before the party. "This way I get a clear idea of where to put the dishes, if the table too cluttered with flowers or are there bare spots," she says.

Another must for her is to create elevation on the table, particularly if she wants to highlight a dish. Cake stands are a good way to elevate dishes, "or turn a bowl upside down and place the plate on top", Lim suggests.

Thank you and good night

All good things must come to an end, so how do you subtly tell your guests it's time to go home?

Sunindar-Ratner says that the a good guest should know when to leave a party. "One of the Etiquette dinner party rules is that once tea, coffee or after dinner drinks have been served, guests should know that the dinner party has ended and take their leave," she says.

She adds: "As a host you can stop serving or offering any other drinks, except perhaps water. When a host asks at the end of the night if people would like more water, it is quite a clear sign to leave. If the message still hasn't been received, the hosts can then thank their guests for coming, then slowly head to the door."

Yap says: "This is where music comes in handy - turn down the volume slowly. The lighting is another subtle component if you have dimmers or candles where it's controllable without being too drastic and obvious."

And for an unforgettable party, Boots-Lim gives her guests a little goodbye gift. She makes personalised plates for guests to use at dinner which they can later bring home. On another occasion, she gifted her guests spices that she used in her lamb shank. "Hopefully it reminds them of their experience," she says.

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