Hosting during the holidays can feel like a whirlwind, and we each have ways to make it enjoyable and stress-free. For Clea, it's all about the balance of style and function—no more guests than coasters, a well-curated charcuterie board, and a self-serve bar cart that keeps everyone (including us!) happy. On the other hand, Joanna prefers to keep things cozy and manageable with warm cider and a clear end time.
Below, we're offering our hot takes and best tips—from thoughtful host gifts and easy-to-make appetizers to foolproof ways to entertain kids (hello, iPads!) and stress-free party cleanup. Whether you're a seasoned host or utterly new to this, we've got you covered.
Your holiday hosting philosophy in one sentence
Clea: My general rule of thumb is to never have more people in my home than I have coasters for.
Joanna: Please don't come, or if you do come, I need to be laying down.
Best host gift you’ve ever received
Clea: A set of linen cocktail napkins with Iris Apfel's face embroidered on them. She's iconic, and so is the person who gave them to me.
Joanna: Honestly? Probably when someone brought me my favorite candy.
Best host gift you've ever given
Clea: I am not the world's best host gift giver. I typically just show up with a candle. The Diptyque holiday scents are a classic.
Joanna: I always love to bring people a beautiful jar of jam.
Holiday tablescape must-have
Clea: I love a smattering of different size candles throughout the table.
Joanna: Pretty glassware.
Favorite easy-to-make holiday appetizer
Clea: Does a charcuterie board count? That's mine. I make a pretty decent one. It has to have a variety of cheeses—goat, brie, and hard cheddar—crackers, nuts, and an assortment of veggies.
Joanna: You really can't go wrong with a cheese board.
Go-to drink at a holiday party
Clea: Is this really a question? Champagne.
Joanna: I love a hot brewed cider. If it has a little bit of alcohol, that's fine, but I don't need it for the alcohol; I need for the cider-y taste.
Best dessert to serve guests
Clea: The truth is that I'm not a dessert person, so I usually rely on a guest to bring it.
Joanna: Definitely a cake. Any type of cake without nuts, served on a beautiful glass stand.
Top song on your holiday playlist
Clea: I have so many. Joanna always makes fun of me because I'm a Jewish person who listens to, like, Hark The Herald Angels Sing and God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman. But I think that Sleigh Ride is my favorite.
Joanna: Happy Xmas (War is Over). It's been my favorite for over a decade.
One item you always have on hand when hosting
Clea: A beautiful charcuterie board.
Joanna: Clea, because she can open any bottle of champagne.
Best tip for a stress-free party
Clea: Nothing simplifies holiday hosting more than a bar cart. When guests can serve themselves all night, everyone wins!
Joanna: Do a fridge clean-out beforehand, and create a designated zone for leftovers and serving platters.
Best tip for post-party clean up
Clea: Own a powerful cordless vacuum.
Joanna: Stock a cleaning caddy ahead of time so you can easily grab and go.
Foolproof way to entertain the kids
Clea: iPads.
Joanna: Same.
Favorite party game or activity for adults
Clea: Rummikub is my absolute favorite. My friends are also die-hard Mahjong players. I just bought this really cute set, but I've only played it a few times. It's the hardest thing, but I need to practice.
Joanna: I love a game of Dominos.
Advice for keeping the entryway clutter-free
Clea: Hooks for handbags, hangers for jackets. Be prepared, stay vigilant.
Joanna: You have to have a place for shoes. You just do.
Go-to way to make guests feel welcome
Clea: If I let people keep their shoes on, that's saying a lot. I also give people the WiFi code right off the bat.
Joanna: I don't freak out if they spill. That's what washable rugs are for.
Place cards or let guests pick seats?
Clea: If it's under ten guests, let them pick their seats. If it's over ten, place cards.
Joanna: I agree. When you have more than ten guests, place cards feel less stressful, so you can control the dynamic.
Keep the party going or have a strict end time?
Clea: An end time, but a rolling end time. It's not strict, but you have to have parameters. Although, my husband, John, usually takes care of that for us. He'll start walking around the house in his pajama pants, turning off light switches, running the dishwasher. A banner that says, "Please Leave By 7" also works every time.
Joanna: An end time, as strict as possible.
First thing you do when your guests leave
Clea: I change into pajamas immediately.
Joanna: I'm wiping down everything while my husband, Jeremy, does the dishes.
