For a Christmas party that everyone will remember, take your pick of our creative tips and let the good times roll

Last modified on Wed 22 Dec 2021 07.39 EST

1 Ask yourself: why do you want to throw a party? The obvious answer is “to have fun and see people”, but push a little deeper and the rest of your party planning will fall into place. Would you like to make a small circle of friends feel cared for after a stressful year? Are you thanking a group of colleagues for their work? Are you combining festive drinks with a very belated housewarming? Five minutes of thinking time before you start will save you hours later on, as you can weigh every decision against your main intention.

2 Tell a story with the invitation You have your purpose, now communicate it to your guests. One simple line will do, for example: “It’s been a tough 18 months – let’s make up for lost time!” Make sure you set out the parameters, too. How hard do you want your guests to go with fancy dress? Is this a party where children will be in attendance? How about people who want to bring their dogs? Let everyone know from the start and you’ve set your guests’ expectations, cut down on post-invite queries and started to set the mood weeks before your party starts.

3 Make a difference with decorations This can be as simple as setting out tea lights, but you can also get more creative. When socialite Sara Murphy threw a party for the opening of Stravinsky’s ballet Les Noces in Paris in 1923, she wanted to use flowers to decorate a barge on the Seine, but no florist would deliver on a Sunday. So instead she stacked up pyramids of children’s toys as centrepieces on the banquet table.

Toys aside, if you’re after fuss-free luxury, choose just one colour and go with it. These days guests may also appreciate somewhere to pose for pictures. A small wall-hung backdrop with golden tinsel or a web of fairy lights is easy to create and will give you a talking point, an activity and lots of shots to remember the occasion.

4 Create memories with food If you love to cook, you already know about planning in advance. But if you are not a chef or time is tight, theming your party around one bought-in dish can actually make it more memorable. That can be anything from a whole side of salmon to gourmet pizzas timed to show up about an hour after the start time. You only need one show-stopper to give your friends a hook for their recollections.

5 Have one special drink Similarly, serving a signature drink will also make you stand out. Imagine friends collected around a table with a bottle of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel. Every bottle comes from a barrel that has been hand-selected by Jack Daniel’s team of master tasters for its one of a kind flavour. It’s perfect for making cocktails, so why not treat your guests to a Single Barrel Manhattan? Start by filling a mixing glass with ice, followed by 50ml of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select, along with 15ml sweet vermouth and two dashes of Angostura bitters, then stir for 10 seconds. To serve, rub the rim of a chilled cocktail glass with orange peel, strain in the liquid and garnish with a dark red cherry.

6 Throw an event within an event As the host, you can direct how the party flows. It’s worth taking some time in the first couple of hours to create a mini-event to draw all of your guests together and to give strangers a starting point in conversation. This could be a game – although people divide quite sharply into those who enjoy games and those who wince at “forced fun” – or, if you really want things to kick into a higher gear, you could even think about hiring a karaoke machine for the night. The simplest thing to do, though, is a toast. Raise your glass, thank everyone for coming and allude back to the story you told in your invitation, reminding everyone why you’ve gathered.

7 Curate music for mood and conversation Everyone knows the classics, whether Carols from King’s or Mariah Carey. Playing anything you and your guests love is always a winner. But also try exploring more unusual Christmas song choices, which can be great for starting people either talking or dancing. Guitarist John Fahey put his own Americana spin on various Christmas songs – his version of Silent Night is beautiful. You could try the slightly psychedelic 1960s pop of The Free Design’s Close Your Mouth (It’s Christmas) or look for tracks in languages other than English, like Betelehemu – which is usually sung as a choral piece in Yoruba and was composed by Nigerian drummer Babatunde Olatunji.

8 Leave the mess A stressed host running about and clearing up is interpreted by most people as a cue to leave very quickly. For one night, ignore the mess. If the kitchen sink is piling up or the dining table is covered in debris, just shut the door. The sky won’t fall. If you truly want to treat yourself, look into a cleaning service for the next day or ask your regular cleaner to come for one hour longer (complete with a Christmas bonus).

9 Enjoy the glow Your guests came and had a good time. You created a one of a kind party that they will remember. The biggest luxury of all is being able to let people know they matter.

Make it count with Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, for a one of a kind Christmas

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