Beginners’ Guide to Holiday Hosting

Happy Holidays!

If you’re planning on hosting a holiday party this year, you’ve come to the right place. Whether it’s your first time hosting or you’re just looking for some inspiration, we’ve got you covered!

Our Beginners’ Guide to Holiday Hosting is your one-stop resource for planning an unforgettable Christmas gathering. From selecting the perfect menu to adding festive touches to your décor, this guide offers plenty of tips and tricks to help you pull off the ultimate Christmas dinner.

Party Planning Checklist

Holiday parties come in all shapes and sizes, from intimate family dinners to lively celebrations with friends. As you start planning your Christmas gathering, take a moment to think about the details that will make your party unique. Consider the following key elements to help guide your decisions and ensure a straightforward and stress-free event.

1. Timing

Choosing the right time of day for your Christmas party is an important first step in your planning process. Some people love the cozy charm of a Christmas Brunch, while others prefer a more traditional dinnertime celebration. Your choice will set the tone for your menu, décor, and overall vibe, so consider what works best for you and your guests as you start to bring your holiday vision to life.

2. Dining Style

Deciding on the dining style for your holiday party is a key part of the planning process. Will your meal be a fancy, formal affair, or a relaxed, casual gathering? Further down, we’ll provide menu ideas to suit a variety of options.

Tip: Be sure to check out our Table Etiquette blog for tips on how to set both a formal and informal table—it’s a great resource to help you create the perfect setting for your celebration.

3. Guest List

Your guest list is the foundation of your holiday party—after all, the season is all about bringing people together! Start by determining who you’d like to invite, whether it’s just close family, a mix of friends and relatives, or a larger crowd.

Invitations can be as simple as a group text to your extended family or as formal as mailed cards with RSVP requests. Whichever option you choose, make sure to include key details like the date, time (brunch or dinner), and the level of formality or attire expected. Clear communication upfront ensures everyone is on the same page and ready to celebrate!

4. Décor

Decorations are a wonderful way to set the mood and make your holiday party feel extra special. Your décor can be as simple or as elaborate as you’d like—think rustic and cozy for a casual brunch or elegant and refined for a formal dinner. Here are some ideas to inspire your Christmas décor:

• Twinkling Lights: Use string lights to add a warm, festive glow to your space.
• Garlands and Greenery: Incorporate wreaths, garlands, or table runners made of evergreen for a classic holiday look.
• Seasonal Centerpieces: Create a beautiful focal point with candles, ornaments, or poinsettias.
• Place Settings: Add festive touches like holiday-themed napkins, plates, or name cards to your table.

These ideas can help you create a holiday atmosphere that feels just right for your celebration, whether it’s simple or extravagant!

5. Activities

Adding activities or entertainment to your holiday party can make it even more memorable and fun for your guests. Here are some festive ideas to consider:

• Sing Christmas Carols: Gather everyone for some traditional caroling around the piano or in the neighborhood.
• Gift Exchange: Host a Secret Santa or White Elephant gift exchange for added excitement.
• Tour the Christmas Lights: Take a group walk or drive through the neighborhood to admire the decorations.
• Christmas Story or Scripture Reading: Create a heartwarming moment by sharing a favorite Christmas tale or a meaningful Bible passage.
• Watch a Christmas Movie: End the evening with a beloved holiday classic everyone can enjoy.
• Play Holiday Games: Organize festive games like Christmas trivia, charades, or a holiday-themed scavenger hunt to keep everyone entertained.

Choose one or more of these activities to fit your party’s style and bring everyone together in the holiday spirit!

6. Food

When planning food for your holiday party, it’s important to consider portion sizes to ensure everyone has plenty to enjoy without creating too much waste. Here are some general guidelines to help you estimate quantities based on your guest count:

• Main Dishes:
  • Ham (boneless): Plan for 1/3 to ½ pound per person (e.g., 12 people = 4-6 pounds).
  • Ham (bone-in): Plan for ¾ to 1 pound per person (e.g., 12 people = 9-12 pounds).
  • Turkey (bone-in): Plan for 1 to 1 ½ pounds per person (e.g., 12 people = 12-18 pounds).
  • Pork Roast: Plan for ½ to ¾ pound (8-12 oz.) per person (e.g., 12 people = 6-9 pounds).
• Appetizers:
  • Plan for about 6 servings per person (e.g., 12 people = 72 servings).
• Side Dishes:
  • For 6 people: Plan for 3 sides (1 starch, 1 salad, 1 vegetable).
  • For 12 people: Plan for about 5 sides.
• Desserts:
  • Plan for 1 to 1 ½ slices of pie or cake per person (e.g., 12 people = 12-18 slices).
• Rolls:
  • Plan for 1-2 rolls per person.

These guidelines will help you prepare a balanced meal with enough variety and plenty for everyone to enjoy. Don’t forget to incorporate Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls and Bread into your spread—they’re perfect for any holiday menu! (Scroll down to find out how!)

Christmas Menu

Now for the fun part—choosing the menu! With your preferred meal (brunch or dinner) and dining style (traditional, formal, or casual) in mind, scan through the popular dish recommendations below and choose: one appetizer (optional), one main, two or more sides (depending on your guest count), one dinner roll option, and one or more dessert (depending on your guest count).

Appetizers – Choose one. Serve 1 hour before main meal.

• Cranberry Goat Cheese Bites: These elegant bites combine creamy and tangy flavors, offering a perfect blend of sophistication and festive cheer.
• Cucumber Caviar Crostini: A crisp, refreshing appetizer that adds a touch of luxury and simplicity to your holiday table.
• Roast Pork and Cranberry Jelly Canapés: A savory-sweet treat that’s both hearty and flavorful, perfect for impressing guests.
• Cranberry Almond Baked Brie: A warm, gooey centerpiece with a balance of tart and nutty flavors that everyone will love.
• Spiced Pear & Pomegranate Crostini: These crostini offer a delightful mix of flavors, adding elegance to your appetizer spread.
• Prosciutto, Goat Cheese and Fig Jam Crostini: A sophisticated charcuterie-style appetizer with a touch of balsamic glaze.
• 3-Cheese Spinach Dip Wreath: A sharable, festive centerpiece that’s warm, cheesy, and perfect for dipping.

Brunch Entrees – Choose one or more, if applicable.

• Sweet:
  • Sugar Cookie French Toast: Made with your favorite seasonal coffee creamer for a festive custard base, this French toast can be topped with sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or fresh fruit for a customizable holiday treat.
  • Sugar Plum French Toast Casserole: A make-ahead casserole with rich custard, sweet blueberries, and a festive touch, perfect for a stress-free holiday morning.
  • Winter Wonderland French Toast: Delight in a snowy-themed French toast adorned with powdered sugar and seasonal spices.
  • Eggnog French Toast Sticks: Enjoy the classic holiday flavor of eggnog in these fun, dippable French toast sticks.
  • Gingerbread French Toast Casserole: Savor the warm spices of gingerbread in this comforting brunch casserole.
• Savory
  • Savory Holiday Brunch Board: Soft dinner rolls brushed with a rich béarnaise glaze, served alongside your favorite savory elements to create an elegant brunch spread.
  • Overnight Croque Monsieur Casserole: A hearty, make-ahead casserole combining ham, cheese, and a creamy béchamel sauce.
  • Autumn Slider Casserole: A delightful blend of apple, brie, prosciutto, and sage brown butter nestled in soft rolls.
  • Cranberry Bacon Brie Grilled Cheese: A savory-sweet sandwich featuring melted brie, crispy bacon, and tangy cranberry sauce, perfect for a festive brunch.

Dinner Entrees (Traditional) – Choose one, if applicable.

• Prime Rib: Try these elegant Prime Rib Sliders, featuring tender prime rib slices layered with fresh arugula, chimichurri sauce with roasted red peppers, creamy blue cheese aioli, and crispy fried onions on Martin’s Sweet Dinner Potato Rolls.
• Ham: Whether serving a small gathering or a crowd, ham is a holiday staple. Try the Slow Cooker Glazed Ham (serves 6-8) for an easy option or the traditional Oven-Baked Ham for a classic holiday meal.
• Turkey: For those who prefer a traditional turkey dinner, this Roasted Turkey with Filling and Gravy is a perfect choice. It combines succulent turkey with a flavorful stuffing and rich, homemade gravy, providing a timeless centerpiece for your holiday feast.
• Roast Pork: If you’re looking for a pork option with a festive twist, consider these Stuffed Pork Chops. Filled with seasonal flavors and baked to perfection, they offer a unique and hearty alternative to the other classic meats.

Dinner Entrees (Formal) – Choose one, if applicable.

• Crown Roast of Pork: Impress your guests with this show-stopping Crown Roast of Pork with Mushroom Dressing. This elegant dish features tender pork paired with a savory mushroom stuffing, making it perfect for a formal holiday gathering.
• Cornish Hens: For individual serving options, try these Cornish Game Hens with Sausage Stuffing. This flavorful and visually stunning dish combines juicy Cornish hens with a rich, herbed stuffing.
• Roast Duck or Goose: Elevate your holiday menu with a roasted duck or goose. The rich, flavorful meat and crispy skin make them a luxurious choice for formal dinners that guests will certainly remember.

Dinner Entrees (Casual) – Choose one, if applicable.

• Roast Pork Sandwich: Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked with herbs and spices, served on Martin’s Hoagie Rolls with sharp provolone, sautéed broccoli rabe, and roasted red peppers.
• Pomegranate Brie Burger: Juicy ground beef patties mixed with minced garlic and brie cheese, topped with caramelized onions, arugula, and a sweet-tart pomegranate sauce, all nestled in Martin’s Sandwich Potato Rolls.
• Holiday Pull-Apart Roasted Chicken Sliders: Shredded rotisserie chicken mixed with an herb-infused mayonnaise, layered with mozzarella cheese between Martin’s Sweet Party Potato Rolls, baked until golden brown and served warm.
• Roast Beef and Caramelized Onion Sliders: Thinly sliced roast beef topped with caramelized onions, cornichons, and watercress, served on toasted Martin’s Slider Potato Rolls with a spread of horseradish mayonnaise.

Sides (Veggies) – Choose one or more

• Green Bean Casserole: A classic side dish featuring tender green beans in a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with crispy fried onions and a breadcrumb topping for added texture.
• Brussels Sprouts Casserole: A hearty blend of Brussels sprouts, bacon, and shredded white cheddar cheese, combined with toasted Martin’s bread cubes for a savory twist.
• Fennel and Sausage Stuffed Peppers: Bell peppers filled with a flavorful mixture of country sausage, fennel, celery, and toasted Martin’s 100% Whole Wheat Potato Bread cubes, baked to perfection.
• Stuffed Artichokes: Artichokes stuffed with a savory blend of Martin’s Potato Bread crumbs, anchovies, garlic, parsley, and Locatelli cheese, simmered until tender.

Sides (Starches) – Choose one or more

• Martin’s Famous Stuffing: A classic, savory stuffing made with cubed Martin’s Potato Bread, onions, celery, and a blend of herbs. (Tip: For more stuffing ideas, explore our recipes archive.)
• Sweet Potato Casserole: A creamy blend of sweet and Yukon Gold potatoes, enhanced with fresh sage and topped with buttery breadcrumbs made from Martin’s Potato Bread.
• Lobster Mac & Cheese: A luxurious twist on a classic, featuring tender lobster meat and a rich cheese sauce, baked with a crispy breadcrumb topping made from Martin’s Old-Fashioned Real Butter Bread.
• Corn Pudding: A sweet and savory corn casserole incorporating creamed corn and cubes of Martin’s Old-Fashioned Real Butter Bread, baked to a golden perfection.

Soups & Salads – Choose one or more (optional)

• Soups:
  • Italian Sausage & Tortellini Soup: A hearty blend of Italian sausage, cheese tortellini, and fresh spinach in a savory broth, perfect for warming up your guests during the cold weather season.
  • Pumpkin Soup: A creamy pumpkin soup topped with crispy bacon and homemade croutons made from Martin’s Potato Bread, offering a delightful mix of flavors and textures.
  • Cauliflower Butter Bean Soup: A smooth and nutritious soup combining roasted cauliflower and butter beans, garnished with fresh thyme and served alongside Martin’s Sweet Dinner Potato Rolls.
  • Cheddar Seafood Chowder: A rich, creamy chowder filled with tender shrimp, scallops, and sharp cheddar cheese, accompanied by toasted Martin’s Hoagie Rolls.
• Salads:
  • Mixed Greens with Mandarin Oranges, Pecans, Pomegranate: A refreshing salad featuring seasonal greens, juicy mandarin oranges, crunchy pecans, and sweet pomegranate seeds, topped with homemade Martin’s Potato Bread croutons.
  • Fig and Manchego Salad with Herbed Croutons: A sophisticated mix of fresh figs, shaved Manchego cheese, and mixed greens, complemented by herbed croutons made from Martin’s Potato Bread.
  • Roasted Veggie Panzanella: A warm salad combining roasted Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, apples, and carrots, tossed with toasted Martin’s Sweet Dinner Potato Roll cubes and drizzled with a maple glaze.

Dinner Rolls – Choose one

• Cheesy Christmas Tree Pull-Aparts: Transform Martin’s Sweet Party Potato Rolls into a festive, shareable centerpiece by stuffing them with mozzarella cheese and arranging them in a Christmas tree shape. Brushed with a garlic herb butter and baked until golden, these pull-apart bites are both visually appealing and delicious.
• Herbes de Provence Compound Butter: Elevate your dinner rolls by serving them with this aromatic compound butter. A blend of softened butter mixed with fresh herbs like thyme, basil, rosemary, oregano, marjoram, savory, and tarragon, it adds a fragrant and flavorful touch to any bread.
• Rosemary-Thyme Dinner Roll Glaze: Add a savory twist to your rolls with this simple glaze. Melted butter infused with fresh rosemary and thyme is brushed over Martin’s Sweet Dinner Potato Rolls and briefly baked to set, resulting in a fragrant and flavorful addition to your meal.
• Cinnamon-Maple Dinner Roll Glaze: For a sweet variation, consider this glaze made from melted butter, pure maple syrup, ground cinnamon, and brown sugar. Brushed over the rolls and baked until set, it offers a warm, sweet complement to your holiday feast.

Desserts – Choose one or more

• Cinnamon Roll Bread Bake: A warm and indulgent casserole made with Martin’s Cinnamon-Raisin Swirl Potato Bread, layered with crunchy pecans and a sweet caramel glaze.
• Cranberry Bread Pudding: A festive twist on a classic, combining cubed Martin’s Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl Potato Bread with dried cranberries, soaked in a rich custard, and baked to perfection.
• Pecan Pie Bread Pudding: A decadent dessert that marries the flavors of pecan pie with bread pudding, using Martin’s Potato Bread cubes soaked in a sweet pecan-infused custard.
• Deep Fried Cinnamon Apple Raisin Sandwiches: A unique treat featuring Martin’s Cinnamon-Raisin Swirl Potato Bread filled with apple pie filling, dipped in a spiced batter, deep-fried until golden, and dusted with powdered sugar.
• Apple Charlottes: An elegant dessert where Martin’s Potato Bread slices are used to encase a spiced apple filling, baked until crisp, and topped with apricot jam and powdered sugar.

Additional Resources

Hosting a holiday party is a wonderful way to celebrate the season and create lasting memories with your loved ones. With a little planning, the right recipes, and a touch of creativity, you can pull off a festive gathering that your guests will cherish. Whether you’re serving a formal dinner, a casual buffet, or a cozy brunch, remember to keep the focus on enjoying time with family and friends—because that’s what the holidays are all about.

Final Tips and Words of Advice:

• Start Early: Give yourself plenty of time to plan, shop, and prepare. A relaxed host is a happy host!
• Delegate Tasks: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Assign family members or friends to bring a dish, help set up, or assist with clean-up.
• Plan for Variety: Offer a range of dishes and flavors to accommodate different preferences and dietary needs.
• Add Personal Touches: Small details, like handwritten place cards or a favorite family recipe, can make your event feel extra special.
• Enjoy the Moment: Don’t stress over perfection. What makes a holiday gathering truly memorable is the joy, laughter, and togetherness.

Check out our printable resources, below, to make your holiday planning even easier. Here’s to a festive and joyful holiday season—cheers!

Printable Planning Guides:

Sources:

• https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/hosting-a-big-party-heres-how-much-food-to-serve/
• https://www.tastingtable.com/692941/dinner-party-amount-main-sides-dessert/

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