CELEBRATION
From a good party to thoughtful gifts and the spirit to have on standby, author Sophie Dahl reveals how to make the holiday season magical for the people you love
What I’ve learned about throwing a good festive party is…
Even now, I want things that smell and sound like Christmas, taste like Christmas, promise Christmas. I think the best Christmas parties (and parties generally) are always those that bring together a mixture of ages and people. The parties I’ve been to and loved have always had a healthy blend of young and old, and a guest list with invitees ranging from the host’s vet to Joan Collins. I think mixing people up, being sure to introduce them and letting them get on with it is a winning combination.
I think what makes guests feel welcome is…
I’m fascinated by the concept of welcome and its cultural and spiritual importance. For me, a welcome is one of the most fundamental things we can offer another person in an interaction. So, with that in mind, I think it’s simply distilled down to making people feel at home. Making sure you know what they like and don’t like to eat and drink, making them feel cherished and cared for. The moment they walk in, give them a drink and make sure they’ve been introduced to everyone. Think about who is sitting where and help start the conversation between strangers. Notice if anyone is being left out and bring them into a conversation if they are. If they’re staying over, make sure they’re sleeping in a place you’d like to sleep in yourself – is it clean and cosy, are there flowers and hangers, is there water to drink? It can be a sofa or an air mattress, but you can still pretty it up. I’m into the rituals of Christmastime and the fact that it somehow manages to be joyful and a bit sad all at once – because in the together ness, you also notice who isn’t there. I think that duality is a part of life, really, but it’s keenly felt at Christmas by many. puddings, such as chocolate log, Christmas pudding and orange and Cointreau ice cream. Oh, and cheese. And then near-death. On Boxing Day, I tend to keep it very simple and monastic: a Spanish omelette, grilled vegetables, a big salad and fruit. Near Christmas, if I’m feeding lots of people, I like cosy foods such as chicken Savoyarde, paella, poached pears with crème anglaise or chocolate. Comfort food.
When unexpected guests drop in…
I tend to have an arsenal of mince pies, brandy butter and mulled wine at the ready. Sausages and mash are an easy, impromptu combination that works for grown-ups and kids, and can be tarted up. Failing that, we have a really good pizza place down the road!
The drink I’ll always offer friends is…
We love tequila in our house, so I would happily make someone a margarita or a picante.
If I’m going to a party, I��
