Dinner parties are back! We couldn’t be more pleased with the return of cosy, intimate evenings surrounded by good friends and great food. With focus on quality over quantity we’ve scoured the market to find everything you will need to pull off an unforgettable evening in style. Here’s how you can raise your festive entertaining in just eight moves and leave your guests in festive wonderment.
- Don’t break the bank replacing furniture. Instead, spruce up your home by adding splashes of vibrancy with beautifully crafted 100% linen cushions. Remember: spend little but spend well. We adore the Far East inspired cushions by Pad Home. Add colour with prints and pair with plains. Your rooms will look and feel uplifted immediately. Prices from £90.
More information: padhome.co.uk
- Fill your home with the sweet cinnamon aroma of Justin’s Buns 25 minutes before your guests arrive. These cranberry-filled cinnamon buns with festive berry toppings are to die for. Order Justin’s Buns Bake at Home boxes which are just £3 for a box of two (plus delivery) and order toppings of your choice to finish them by hand. Alternatively, a box of six baked and finished buns are £20 plus delivery. Either way, your guests will be wowed.
More information: JustinsBuns
- This year, ditch the old clear wine glasses (obviously we mean recycle them) and get your hands on these gorgeous hand blown wine and champagne goblets and tumblers which we also found in Pad Home. They come in deep jewel colours of orange, red, blue and burgundy. We are in love! Prices start from £50 for a set of two.
- Beautiful glassware deserve a great drink. It’s just as well that Devon vineyard Sharpham Wine has released 65,000 bottles a great wine. The Sharpham New Release is a deliciously fruity white perfect as an aperitif. With a bottle at just £14.50 and case of 12 at £174 it really is a great addition to your table. If you’re looking for a great red, the vineyard also produces a Pinot Noir at £19 for a bottle or £228 for a case of 12.
Contact: sharpham.com
- Add some sparkle to your evening with this fabulous Thiénot x Penfolds Champagne Brut Rosé (£61). This non-vintage Champagne Brut Rosé brings together Thiénot Chef de Cave Nicholas Uriel and Penfolds Chief Winemaker Peter Gago. The palate is balanced, with an overt freshness and a delicate dosage imprint on finish. It’s light and sprightly; exactly what we would expect from a good Champagne and a great evening.
Visit: www.penfolds.com
- Serve something a little different as the evening progresses. We love the award-winning Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky (£23.99). It’s rich taste with hints of vanilla, toffee and candied fruit finishes smoothly on the palate. Insider tip: It makes a great Old Fashioned.
As long as we’re serving Southern Whisky you may also go for Sazerac Rye Whisky (£36.75). Impress with this great whisky from New Orleans. It’s the one that started it all – the Sezarac which was America’s first branded cocktail. Can you really afford not share this wonderful story?
Both available via masterofmalt.com.
- For mixers there’s a great offering by Coast, pioneered by mixologist Joe McCanta. The new range uses innovative ingredients and flavours to offer three fantastic options: British Tonic, White Tea & Yuzu Soda and Maple Soda. All low in sugar but packed with taste. Available to buy via Coast at £22 for 24 bottles.
- End your perfect night with a perfectly personal gift for each guest to take away. Gift Seggiano’s individual panettone Vin Santo Individual Panettone (£7.65 for 120g) Classic or Chocolate flavour. Now that’s how you throw a party!
More information: Seggiano
