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.
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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: Come as you are, even if it means you are in your pajamas. I like people to be comfortable because I like to be comfortable.
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 so I could add something new to my canister wall. Yes, I have an entire display dedicated to candy at my house—are you surprised?
Best host gift you've ever given
Clea: The Diptyque holiday scents are a classic. You can never go wrong with them. I like to gift the set of mini candles so they can have each scent. Sapin is my favorite because it gives pine tree energy without being too overpowering.
Joanna: I always love to bring people a beautiful jar of jam. It's the type of thing most people don't buy for themselves, which makes it feel more special.
Holiday tablescape must-have
Clea: I love a smattering of different size candles throughout the table but make sure they are all below eye-level so everyone can see each other. I also love a cohesive theme, down to every detail.
Joanna: Festive glassware and a beautiful table runner. It's what ties it all together for me.
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. The charcuterie board I use at home comes with four ceramic bowls and, serving utensils and cutlery in a hidden compartment, which makes things so much easier.
Joanna: You really can't go wrong with a cheese board. Yes, I'm technically vegan, but I make an exception for cheese since I love it so much. I thought I was the only one, but a few people reached out to me after watching the cheese shopping episode of Errand Friends and said they are the same way.
Go-to drink at a holiday party
Clea: Is this really a question? Champagne with two ice cubes in a stemless flute. All stems do is get in the way.
Joanna: I love hot brewed cider. If it has a little alcohol in it, that's fine, but I don't need it for the alcohol; I need it for the cidery taste. It just gets me in the holiday mood.
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. If all else fails, I'll order something from a bakery and serve it on a beautiful serving platter so it looks homemade. Fake it til you make it.
Joanna: Definitely a cake. Any type of cake, as long as it doesn't have nuts in it. No fruitcake for me. I want something with layers, but just like Clea, I order from a bakery and transfer it from the box to a glass cake stand with a lid.
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: I know I already said this, but a charcuterie board and plenty of champagne.
Joanna: Clea, because she'll open the champagne. I'm always afraid the cork is going to fly in my face; it's a real fear of mine.
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. It's a small task that makes a huge difference.
Best tip for post-party clean up
Clea: Own a powerful cordless vacuum. Cords make things more complicated, and nobody has time for that.
Joanna: Stock a cleaning caddy ahead of time so you don't have to waste time searching for supplies when you are exhausted.
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 a really cute Mahjong set, but I've only played it a few times. It's the hardest thing, but I need to practice, especially before I have people over.
Joanna: This dice game, Left Right Center, is always a hit. It's perfect for parties because it doesn't require a lot of instruction, and anyone who can roll dice can play. We always swap out the poker chips for dollar bills to up the ante.
Advice for keeping the entryway clutter-free
Clea: More purse hooks and coat hangers than you think you'll need.
Joanna: You have to have designated storage for shoes, and a random spot on the ground doesn't count. I always recommend getting a bench or console with built-in shoe storage so you don't have to worry about it.
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. I even have a custom sign with a QR code that people can scan to join the network automatically.
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: Anyone who comes to my house knows that I'm in bed by 9 pm at the latest, so they are well aware what time the party is over.
First thing you do when your guests leave
Clea: I immediately change into pajamas, and then I sit and finish a glass of champagne while deciding what videos and photos to post from the night on Instagram.
Joanna: I'm wiping down everything while my husband, Jeremy, does the dishes. We're a great team.
