Entertaining Ideas

3 Ways To Host Christmas For Your Guest Count

You might not know it now, but that Christmas guest list is guaranteed to pile up quick. Don’t be caught off guard—start planning now for your ideal holiday setting based on the amount of people you expect. From small, casual dinners at home to big family affairs with out-of-town relatives ready to pinch your kids’ cheeks, we created every tablescape based on your head count. Visit the Christmas Shop to find everything you need for the season: dinnerware, glasses, serveware, ornaments (and even a few gift ideas!)

 

Warm & Cozy Meal

(4-6 people)

Spread holiday cheer with an intimate tablescape filled with the two iconic colors of Christmas: red and white. Perfect for a family of four, this set-up emphasizes the closeness that comes with the season. From the round table, family-style food and glowing tealights, this is the type of Christmas where you’re free to go from opening presents to sipping coffee using our coffee cups to back to the table for more dessert. We mixed ours with Balsam Lane and Blue Bay dinnerware for a white-as-snow look with touches of winter charm. Our Balsam Lane teapot couldn’t be cuter with its cabin design that fits right at home on the table. Pour your tea into our cardinal mugs for an extra festive accent. This type of setting is best for the sweet moments of the holiday: like after-dinner fruit, morning croissants and sipping cocoa while you watch the snow fall.

Small Family Dinner

(6-8 people)

 

When you want to impress your guests, this is the table to try. Can’t you just hear crackling fire and Bing Crosby crooning in the background? This sit-down-style dinner is great for extended families who want to spend most of their time at the table; including games, gift-giving and cocktails. A traditional Christmas calls for our own favorite tradition: bringing out our classic Holiday pattern. A staple of the season for over almost 50 years, our Holiday dinnerware makes every table instantly merry with its holly and berry motif. We added Tuscany Classics wine glasses and Portola flatware to each place setting, along with plush white throws and evergreen accents to give the table that ultra-cozy feel. Serve your classic dishes, like glazed ham, roasted potatoes, green bean casserole and more to emphasize that home-for-the-holidays feel.

Large Buffet Holiday

(10 or more people)

Guest list growing and not enough room at the table? Time to make your way to the buffet! Turn your sidetable into an elevated, grab-and-go plate station filled with porcelain dinnerware—no plastic here—gorgeous golden flatware and decanters at the ready. This polished set-up mixes the fanciness of a good host with the casualness that comes with holiday dinners. For a new twist on tradition, we mixed our cheerful Winter Greetings plates over Chelse Muse matte black for a dark contrast of festive and flourish. Now your family and friends are free to mingle without being tied down to one specific place setting. It’s perfect for the host who loves a good conversation (and hates being tied up in the kitchen all evening!) 

Hosting Christmas this year? Which tablescape works for your guest count? Tell us by tagging @lenox on Facebook or Instagram