The holidays are over, but the temps are unpleasant, to say the least, and outdoor entertaining most likely won’t be a viable option for another couple of months. But how can you make your indoor gatherings feel festive and enjoyable during this dreary winter period? As it turns out, there are plenty of fun routes to take! We spoke with TK DMV area designers and creators to gather ideas for how to expertly host friends and family indoors while still keeping the vibes full of cheer.
Making the Evening Special
While you never need a reason to celebrate, a theme can help put guests in the mood (and help them determine what to wear!). Whether you’re looking to host a fancy night in or chill by the TV, you can’t go wrong with any of the ideas below.
Host a Formal Sunday Dinner, Just Because
Who needs an excuse to bust out the good china?
“While I enjoy easy-breezy outdoor entertaining in the summer, I admittedly love the excuse to pull out fancy dishes and host a more formal party in the colder months. I know some people save their china for the holidays, but I think it’s hard to beat a formal Sunday dinner in February with friends and their families. One of my favorite shortcuts for hosting is to buy premade pies and place pieces in fancy stemware—think dishes, teacups, or crystal glasses. I top the pie with a decorative cookie, piece of fruit, or sprig of mint, and it looks more like a layered trifle than a premade pie.” — Jewel Marlowe, Jeweled Interiors
Sing Karaoke
It’s not just for kids!
“It doesn’t matter what age your guests are; everyone loves a little karaoke, especially when you get to pick the songs. It’s such a great way to spend time with your friends, and I’m pretty sure you’ll make a few memories, too.” — Sara Raak, SKG Designs
Bust out the Fondue Set
It’s the perfect blast from the past.
“I love hosting cozy fondue parties with vintage fondue sets. I use the fondue set my mother had, and it still works to this day. Warm cheese and chocolate are perfect for this time of year.” — Valerie Darden, Brexton Cole Interiors
Don’t Forget Something Sweet
Who can resist hot chocolate?
“For a more intimate party, hosting a movie marathon with a hot chocolate bar is a great idea. It’s fun to pick out winter-themed mugs and have a variety of hot chocolate fixings such as marshmallows, whipped cream, and sugar toppings. Adding in cute textures like blankets and pillows is a fun addition to this.” — Valerie Darden
Perfecting the Atmosphere
Once you’ve landed on a theme or activity, you’ll want to be sure to set the right vibes! Scent, lighting, and more will all help you take your gathering to the next level.
Be Mindful About Lighting
There’s simply no need for the “big light.”
“Lighting is so important when you’re hosting an event. I never use my big light, instead opting for several lamps, candles, and even ambient light from a TV or fun pendants in order to set the move.” — Imani Keal, Imani at Home
“All of my holiday decor heads back to storage after the new year, with the exception of our faux candles in the windows. I have them scheduled to flip on automatically during the darkest days of winter all the way through March. I pull out our vintage brass candlesticks and arrange them in every corner of the house — bonus points for adding a ribbon to the candlesticks to coordinate with the event. I like to use slightly unexpected lighting, like lighting a fire, a candle warmer, a reading light, or fairy lights twisted around serving platters, rather than the dreaded overhead lights. Hosting in the winter comes down to your guests feeling comfortable and cozy, and lighting helps me execute that.” — Amanda Witt Westly
Offer a Signature Cocktail or Mocktail
Specialty cocktails aren’t just for the holidays or wedding season.
“It’s always nice to create a beautiful cocktail moment so that guests can serve themselves—bonus hosting points for having their drink of choice ready to pour!” — Sallie Lord, GreyHunt Interiors
Style Your Tabletop to a T
Get creative with materials you already own.
“One way to take your indoor entertaining to the next level is to use winter fabrics in your decor or tablescape. For example, replace your linen tablecloth with a velvet tablecloth. A budget-friendly option is to add velvet placemats or napkins, or even suede. Playing around with more wintery fabrics is a way to level up your entertaining experience.” — Rashida Banks
Set the Mood with Scent
Consider this an excuse to buy a new candle.
“Adding a winter fragrance to your space is also a way to enhance the indoor entertaining experience. There are certain scents that give a cozy feel in the cold months, like cedarwood, sandalwood, vanilla, caramel, and amber. Having a fragrance with these types of notes in them feels like a nice warm hug to your senses, so look out for candles and diffusers with these aromas in mind.” — Rashida Banks
Ensure Guests Aren’t Too Cold (or Hot!)
Baby, it’s warm inside.
“Because I’m usually hosting in a small space, I really have to think about the temperature. Sure, it’s cold outside, but once you get five to 10 people inside a small apartment, it will quickly become super hot inside! To get around this, I keep an eye on the thermostat throughout the night, adjusting it as more people arrive. I also make sure to stop using the stove a few hours before people arrive, so my gas range does not contribute to the rising temperatures. Opening up the windows to let in fresh air is always a good idea—it’ll keep the air from becoming stale with a consistent breeze.” — Imani Keal
Sarah Lyon is a New York City-based freelance writer, originally from Bethesda, MD. She contributes to a number of national design and lifestyle publications like Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, and more. Sarah also works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots. Find more shelfies on her Instagram page, @sarahlyon9
