Holiday Hosting Tips

The holiday season invites friends and family to gather together to share quality time and meaningful moments as the year comes to a close. While it’s a season many look forward to each year, it’s also known to be one of the busiest. By thinking ahead about the impression you want your holiday celebrations to leave on guests, you’ll be able to focus on what matters most in the moment: enjoying time together and creating memories you’ll cherish for years to come.

This season, leave the stress behind and host a holiday celebration everyone will remember with top tips from Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain team members.

Tip #1: Crack open that bottle of wine you’ve been saving.

We talk a lot about holiday pairings and what will go well with each part of the meal, but for my family, holiday meals have tons of different dishes, so finding one perfect pairing wine can be really hard.

Instead, this year, I’m going to bring the wines I’ve been saving for a special occasion — the bottles that I’ve been normally hesitant to open. Holidays are when you get to spend time with loved ones and take a second to share why these bottles are special. Share stories about why you brought them and why they’re exciting, add a little passion about the people who make it or the place it comes from, or share why the year is special.

Also, holidays are the best time to share that bottle of dessert wine you don’t know when to use. With these often earlier mealtimes, there’s time in the evening to sit and sip something. The relative that hates sweet wine often changes their tune next to a great cheese or holiday treat. I’ll be bringing some great port to Thanksgiving and maybe a Sauternes that’s been in my wine fridge a little too long, but you can bring whatever you’ve been saving!

– John Schlichting, Senior Sommelier at The Barn at Blackberry Farm®

Tip #2: Make room for nourishing ingredients.

As a wellness professional, I like to balance the decadent holiday side dishes with inspiring yet nourishing items to leave my guests feeling great. Although salads aren’t necessarily traditional holiday sides, sweet potatoes and cranberries are.

As an appetizer for my guests as they arrive, I love a whipped feta and cranberry dip garnished with crushed pistachios and paired with a warm baguette. For a nourishing salad, I like to add roasted sweet potatoes to a Tuscan kale and apple salad. I garnish with lots of grated parmesan and a mustardy dressing that brings all flavors together. Pairing traditional indulgent dishes with a few that nourish the body allows for a delicious yet balanced holiday meal.

– Meghan Henley, Blackberry Assistant Director of Wellness

#3: Pay attention to the playlist.

If you’re hosting for the holidays, don’t underestimate the power of the playlist. It can make the difference between a festive hit and a quietly awkward evening. Think about who’s on the guestlist and what kind of vibe you actually want. Is this a “lo-fi indie holiday covers and whiskey” sort of crowd? Or more of a “Bing Crosby crooning while Ella Fitzgerald makes everyone feel classy” situation?

Maybe it’s all about “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and that nostalgic, slightly melancholy jazz that somehow feels like a nice warm hug. Or, if you’re in East Tennessee, let’s be honest — no playlist is complete without a little Dolly Parton. “Hard Candy Christmas” slips in perfectly right between the second and third cocktail.

Whatever your scene, set it with purpose. Music is key. Never, ever forget the playlist.

– Jason Lowe, Blackberry Farm Design Business Manager

Tip #4: Prepare your table settings ahead of time.

Hosting holidays and dinner parties can feel stressful, but the key to entertaining is preparation. Consider using dried floral so your arrangements can last through multiple events. If you are using fresh floral, prepare the arrangements before the day of so you have time to make sure they are perfect. Consider incorporating cranberries and dried oranges and oranges with cloves into your tablescapes.

Trader Joe’s is a hidden gem in floral world. We are always pleased with the variety of seasonal items they keep in stock. Do not miss out on the opportunity to pull out all your grandmother’s china and tablecloths. The more layered the table, the more warm and inviting it feels. Most of all, enjoy the time with your family with the knowledge that what is most important is the precious memories you are making around the table.

– Elizabeth Daniels, Floral Manager at Blackberry Mountain

Tip #5: Share love through your favorite foods and beverages.

My friends and family are not big on gifts in the traditional sense, as this can add pressure to gatherings, and a lot of times you end up with things you may not need or want. While I appreciate the sentiment, I also think there is a way to show appreciation and love without all the extra "stuff." 

Our favorite thing to do is throw down on the food and wine! Put out your best whiskeys and have a giant ice bucket with bottles of great Champagne, Sancerre and White Burgundy. Making a big shellfish tower with caviar, poached shrimp, raw tuna, crab claws, lobster, and of course oysters and champagne mignonette is my favorite way to celebrate. If your family is not big on seafood, a great grazing table of cheeses, charcuteries and dips with open bottles all around is a great addition or alternative.

All this to say, standing around the kitchen island (or any comfortable space) with some delicious snacks and tasty beverages is how we celebrate love, life, family, friendship and fellowship.

– Trevor Iaconis, Executive Chef at The Dogwood at Blackberry Farm®