By Gugulethu Tshabalala
There’s a special kind of bravery required to open your home during the festive season. It’s the same bravery you need when you check your bank balance after buying “just a few things” for the house. But fear not—hosting is less about perfection and more about creating a space where people feel welcome, fed, and slightly tipsy in the best possible way.
The Charcuterie Board That Says “I’m Adulting”
There comes a moment in every gathering when guests hover near the kitchen, waiting for the first bite of something. And that something, dear reader, is your charcuterie board. The beauty of a charcuterie board is that it can be anything you want it to be: rustic, bougie, chaotic, or curated.
Just assemble a selection of cheeses, cured meats, fruits, crackers, and maybe that one fancy jam you bought because it looked pretty, and suddenly you’ve given everyone the illusion that you know what you’re doing. It’s also the perfect conversation starter nothing unites people quite like debating whether blue cheese is a delicacy or a crime.
Cocktails That Make You Feel Like a Mixologist
Cocktails are the true magic of the festive season. They turn ordinary evenings into “core memories,” and they make your guests believe you could have had a career behind the bar if life had taken a different turn.
Whether it’s a gin spritz, a rum punch, or whatever concoction results from you confidently free-pouring in front of your friends, the point is: festive drinks make people happy. And the best part? If your hosting goes downhill, a good cocktail is the quickest way to convince everyone that it’s going exactly according to plan.
Platters: Because Everyone Loves To Pick
Platters are a lifesaver for anyone who wants to feed a crowd without feeling like they’ve just run a culinary marathon. Think charcuterie, chicken wings, samoosas, veggies, sliders—basically anything you can arrange in a way that looks Instagrammably intentional.
The festive season is not about individual plating; it’s about abundance. The more it looks like you over-prepared, the more relaxed your guests will feel (and the fewer questions they’ll ask about why you haven’t renovated in three years).
Flowers and Atmosphere—Even If Your “Garden” Is a Balcony or a Pot Plant
Not everyone has a sweeping garden worthy of a movie set. And that’s fine. Who needs a massive outdoor space when a single vase of bright flowers or a leafy pot plant can bring warmth into any room?
A few candles, soft lighting, your favourite playlist, and suddenly the vibe says, “I am a sophisticated host who definitely didn’t clean this house at 2 am.” The real atmosphere comes from how people feel comfortable, cosy, and free to laugh loudly without worrying about the neighbours (well… maybe just a little worried).
Desserts That Make People Forget You Burnt the Garlic Bread
Every festive gathering needs a sweet finale. It doesn’t matter whether you baked it, bought it, or begged someone else to make it—dessert is the moment that erases all sins.
Present a chocolate mousse, a tray of peppermint tart, a cheesecake, or even simple ice cream with toppings, and watch everyone’s eyes light up. Dessert is the great equaliser. Once it’s served, suddenly no one remembers that you forgot to chill the drinks.
The Magic Moments That Matter Most
At the end of the night, what people remember won’t be whether your plates matched or your napkins were folded into swans. They’ll remember the laughter, the clinking glasses, the stories told over platters, and that one uncle who always insists he knows how to braai but mysteriously disappears when smoke appears. Hosting isn’t about perfection—it’s about the atmosphere you create, the flavours you share, and the little moments that make people feel at home.
So this festive season, embrace the chaos, pour the drinks, pass the cheese, and enjoy every beautiful, hilarious moment. Because the best hosts aren’t the ones who do it perfectly. They’re the ones who make everyone feel like they belong.
