I stumbled back onto one of Martha’s holiday blog posts from 2018 the other day. It reminded me why I’ve always loved her approach to entertaining. Her writing feels exactly like the way she decorates: understated, thoughtful, never trying too hard… just quietly beautiful.
And honestly? That’s the kind of hosting energy I want this season.
Let’s Set the Scene…
Every December, I get that urge to throw the door open, light a fire, put music on, and let people drift in and out of the kitchen. Nothing orchestrated. Just good food, good company, and a home that feels lived-in and warm.
Reading Martha’s post made me realize how much of that instinct comes from her. She never relied on spectacle. Her parties were built on repetition, heirloom pieces she’s collected for decades, simple greenery, and “use what you have” moments that felt elevated.
Why I Loved This Post
Scrolling her photos, a few things stood out. None of it was perfect. All of it was inviting.
It was a reminder that hosting doesn’t need to be a show. It doesn’t even need to be deeply planned. It just has to feel natural — to you and to the people walking through your door.
Martha’s Holiday Hosting Habits Worth Copying
Here are a few gems I pulled from her 2018 party — the kind of tips that work no matter the size of your home or how many people you’re feeding:
- Use repetition to create impact.
Her bottle-brush trees grouped in multiples? So simple, so charming. Repetition always reads intentional. - Lean into heirloom pieces.
Her real china (stacked in huge quantities) stole the show. It doesn’t have to match perfectly. That’s what makes it feel collected. - Move your furniture to fit the function, not the aesthetic.
She literally slid her entire dining table to one side to make room for buffet service. Practical > perfect. - Let greenery do the heavy lifting.
Wreaths, branches, fresh trees… she repeats them everywhere. It’s inexpensive, timeless, and instantly festive. - Don’t underestimate simple lighting.
Think warm bulbs, candles, sconces. Lots of low light! When the lights are dim and warm, no one is paying attention to the corners you didn’t clean or the things you didn’t finish. It all just feels cozy. - Let one or two dishes be the stars.
She had oyster bars and big trays of baked goods. Pick the menu items that spark joy and build around them!
My Goal This Season
Inspired by this little blast from the past… I want this series to feel grounded. Real hosting, real homes, and real details I actually use. Not the Pinterest-perfect, everything-is-styled production. More like: here’s what makes a night special without me sprinting around the house. Click here to read Matha’s post!
Alright… let’s get into it.
Music Sets the Mood (and Honestly… It Matters More Than You Think)
If there is one thing that will derail an otherwise lovely night, it’s bad music. I stand by this. Nothing throws off a vibe faster than a chaotic shuffle of random genres that don’t belong in the same room together. It makes the whole evening feel disjointed IMO.
I’m dramatic about this, I know. But I’ve literally made playlists based on the timeline of an event.
Arrival music: upbeat, warm, gets people excited to walk through the door.
Dinner music: softer, vibey, the kind that sits in the background and makes conversations feel easy.
After-dinner music: back to something fun and lively for cocktails, lingering, and that second wind that always hits around 9pm.
And if your night is more “apps, chatting, and everyone floating around wherever they want,” then keep the playlist steady and consistent with the energy you’re trying to create. It really does change the entire feel of your home.
To make it easy, I put together a playlist that feels like all of my favorite informal evenings. It’s cozy, relaxed, full of good conversation and good cocktails.
Three hours long, perfectly curated, and designed so you don’t have to touch a thing.
Turn it on, pour something festive, and enjoy.
Batch Cocktail
Okay… if you know me, you know I love a good festive cocktail. And I’m a firm believer that the garnishes matter just as much as the drink itself. Martha was the queen of effortless entertaining, but even she wouldn’t want you stuck behind the bar shaking cocktails all night. I’m all about a pretty bar setup with one signature cocktail and then a big champagne bucket filled with bubbly, white wine, and sparkling waters so guests can help themselves.
So… I have the yummiest cocktail recipe for you. And it comes with a whole backstory.
Years ago (I’m talking 18+ years) we had a holiday party catered so Derrick and I could truly relax for once (worth every penny, btw). The caterer served this drink called a Misty Moon, and to this day we still have friends bring it up. It was that memorable. Or maybe it was the whole night and the cocktails made it that way. LOL! 😂
Naturally, I’ve spent years trying to recreate it, and I finally did – with a little help from ChatGPT for getting the batch ratios right so it works beautifully in a punch bowl with an ice ring. I loved that Martha always served hers in a giant bowl with citrus slices floating on top… so that’s exactly what we’re doing here.
And yes — I added a splash of water to the recipe. Since we’re not shaking it over ice, it needs that little bit of dilution to taste like the real deal. Trust me, I tested it for you. It’s perfect.
Introducing: The Misty Moon
Crystal Punch Bowl | Coupe Glasses | Red Cocktail Napkins | Pearl Cocktail Picks | Polo Linen Napkins
I also found the prettiest crystal-inspired punch bowl! Vintage vibes without the antique price tag. I absolutely don’t need another champagne cooler or punch bowl (I really don’t), but this one is making it hard to be responsible. And vessels like this are so versatile. Fill them with cut flowers, fruit, ornaments… they always look chic.
Serve the Misty Moon in a pretty coupe glass — my favorite way to serve any cocktail. We’ve shared both of these before, and there’s a reason I keep coming back to them.
• The CB2 ones are forever-best sellers.
• The retro Amazon ones are adorable and never fail to get compliments.
Both would be perfect for this.
And don’t sleep on cocktail napkins. If Martha were to approve a paper napkin, it would be these. They’re 100% cotton with the sweetest tiny border detail (love the red for the holidays). If you want to go full Martha, the linen Polo Bear napkins are beyond adorable, and you can monogram them. Such a thoughtful touch.
And finally: cocktail picks. These pearl-detailed ones are so pretty. Make them ahead with cranberries and raspberries for the easiest, most photogenic garnish.
Effortless Holiday Bites
If there’s one thing you should remind yourself, it’s that beautiful food doesn’t have to be complicated food. She had this way of taking the simplest ingredients and turning them into something that looked like a magazine spread, but when you really looked closely, it was all about presentation.
One of my favorite examples from her?
The shrimp towers.
Literally just layers of chilled shrimp spiraled around cake stands with a big, leafy centerpiece in the middle. No florals, no sculpted ice, nothing wild. Just clean white serveware, repetition, and smart styling. And it looked so elegant.
White & Gold Plates | Pedestal Crystal Cake Stand | Ceramic Cake Stand
Get this look with these white plates with gold trim or a simple pedestal crystal cake stand — they make even the simplest bites feel intentional. And if you have a piece you bring out every year, something sentimental or inherited, use it. Incorporating an heirloom platter or a favorite cake stand always adds meaning and warmth. There are no rules here. These are just ideas to spark your creativity.
You don’t need to overthink appetizers… you just need to plate them well.
If you want a second appetizer that pairs well with the shrimp and follows the same “simple but stunning” rule, here are a few options that look beautiful with almost zero effort:
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Smoked salmon on cucumber rounds topped with a tiny dill sprig
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Goat cheese + red pepper jam crostinis (takes five minutes and always disappears)
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Caprese skewers with mozzarella, basil, and cherry tomatoes for color
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Prosciutto-wrapped pears with a light honey drizzle (trust me on this one)
All of these look elevated when grouped neatly on a glass pedestal, ceramic cake stand, or gold and white plates — proof that the right presentation does all the heavy lifting for you.
Lighting
Here’s the truth: I am not lighting 47 candles before guests walk in. Absolutely not.
I’ve learned that the easiest way to create that warm, glowy, “wow your house feels so cozy” moment is to use flameless candles and turn them all on with a single remote. One click. Done. Instant ambiance.
No dripping wax, no remembering which ones you lit, no running around blowing them out at midnight.
I mix them in with real tea lights occasionally, but honestly? Guests can’t tell. Layer in the windows, on the mantle, tucked into shelves.
If you want to level it up even more, dim the lamps (I love this task lamp or this cordless one), add a string of warm lights around a garland, and call it a day. You don’t need a lighting plan… just a few warm points of glow and everything feels intentional.
Bathroom Prep: The Five-Minute Reset That Feels Luxe
Before people arrive, I always do a fast bathroom check. Literally five minutes.
Hand Lotion & Hand Soap | Le Labo Another 13 | Washcloths | Silver Vanity Tray
I put out a small basket of rolled white washcloths. It looks tidy, and more importantly, no one is left wondering what towel to use. I started doing this after one holiday party years ago when my single hand towel was damp halfway through the night. Washcloths solved that instantly.
I also keep a nice hand soap and lotion on a small tray. Something that feels intentional instead of whatever bottle happened to be on the counter. It makes the bathroom feel “set,” the same way setting a table does.
And my favorite little touch: I always leave out a bottle of my go-to unisex perfume. I picked up this habit after a dinner party where a guest asked if I had anything to freshen up with and I realized how nice it is to offer those small comforts. It’s such a simple detail, but people always comment on it.
None of this is over-the-top, it just makes the bathroom feel ready, and honestly, it makes hosting feel calmer for me too.
Final Touches
At the end of the day, it really comes down to a few simple things: dim the lights, set out the glassware, cue the music, and you’re basically set. That’s the formula for effortless, elevated hosting.
Martha made it look easy. My mom made it look easy. And honestly, once you have a rhythm, it does become easy. These little systems take the pressure off so you can actually enjoy the night instead of managing it!
