The holidays are all about connection: cozy nights, good food, and time spent with your favourite people. But when you’re the one doing the entertaining, that joy can turn into a to-do list fast. The good news? Holiday entertaining doesn’t have to be stressful. With a few clever shortcuts (and a little help from LD), you can host a warm, welcoming holiday party without the fuss.
Whether you’re planning a full-on Christmas party, a cookie swap, or a casual movie night, London Drugs has everything you need to make holiday hosting simple—from snacks and drinks to décor and tech that keep the good vibes going.
Snack Boards That Steal the Show
No holiday party is complete without a snack spread that guests can’t stop grazing on. Skip the elaborate recipes and assemble a crowd-pleasing board with easy LD finds. Find estive, flavourful, and fun options to put together within minutes!
- Start with something sweet: Fill your board with Lindt chocolates, Italian Torrone Nougat, or a festive Advent calendar guests can open throughout the evening.
- Add pops of colour and crunch: Layer in dried fruit, assorted nuts, moist slices of Tre Marie Panettone, and Weiss gingerbread hearts for texture and variety.
- Balance it out with a bubbly sip: Pair your board with sparkling Nozeco Prosecco for a refreshing, zero-proof touch of fizz (and keep reading for our favorite mocktail recipes below)!
With just a few simple additions, you’ll have a snack board that looks gourmet, no oven or stress required.
LD Holiday Hosting Tip
When it comes to a snack board, presentation is everything. Mix heights and textures, layer a few sprigs of holly or pine, and serve it all on Thyme and Table’s Holiday Serving Set. Et voila! Your tasty snackboard pulls double duty as the ultimate low-effort, high-impact centerpiece—the kind of setup that makes you look like a hosting pro without lifting a whisk.
2. Mocktails & Merriment
Not everyone drinks, but everyone loves a festive beverage. Whether it’s brunch, a dinner party, or a cozy game night, creative mocktails keep the celebration fun and inclusive. And the best part? You can sip all night long without worrying about a next-day headache.
Here’s a merry trio of our favourite festive mocktails to get you started. These vibrant, zero-proof drinks prove that holiday entertaining doesn’t need alcohol to sparkle, just a few thoughtful ingredients and curated bar cart essentials.
Cranberry Spritz
Combine zero-proof Nozeco Spritz and Poppi Cranberry Fizz over ice. Garnish with frozen cranberries, a twist of orange peel, and festive stirrers for colour. Serve in stemless flutes for effortless elegance.
Pomegranate Fizz
Mix equal parts Poppi Raspberry Rose and pomegranate juice, then top with soda water or Nozeco Rose for extra bubbles. Add a rosemary sprig and a few pomegranate seeds for a fragrant, festive touch.
Ginger Pear Tonic
Shake together pear nectar, ginger beer, and a squeeze of lemon. Pour over ice cubes made in silicone ice molds, and finish with a slice of fresh pear. Serve in engraved glass tumblers for a cozy winter vibe.
Gadgets That Wow
Once the snacks are styled and the mocktails are poured, it’s time to bring in the real holiday heroes: the gadgets. Behind every host is a lineup of appliances that do the heavy lifting (and make your kitchen look great while they’re at it).
Enter the SMEG collection. SMEG offers sleek, retro-inspired appliances that make food prep feel stylish and simple:
- Whip up dessert magic: Beat whipped cream in seconds with a hand mixer for that final sweet touch.
- Toast to perfection: Crisp hors d’oeuvres or melt mini crostinis in a SMEG toaster oven. It’s compact, chic, and the perfect party-ready appliance.
- Brew in style: Pour coffee for guests from a 1950s-inspired SMEG coffee pot, and top each mug with a dollop of frothed milk for a cozy winter latte moment.
These gadgets aren’t just practical, they’re conversation starters that add a dose of vintage charm to your countertop.
Turn Up the Holiday Cheer with More Tech Must-Haves
For an extra tech-savvy touch, use a Bluetooth speaker or smart display to cue up your favourite holiday playlist, pull up recipes, or stream a virtual toast with long-distance friends.
Or take it old-school with a turntable. The crackle of vinyl adds instant charm and nostalgia to any gathering. Whether you’re spinning classic Christmas albums or cozy jazz records, it’s the perfect way to set the mood.
Hosting Done Your Way: Personal Touches That Make It Yours
Hosting is about more than serving good food; it’s about creating a space that feels uniquely yours. Add warmth and personality to your gathering by mixing homeware and cozy winter must-haves with custom touches from the LD Photolab. Try out these personalized holiday party ideas that turn even the simplest gathering into something truly special.
- Make it memorable: Create custom mugs printed with inside jokes for your friend group, or design a personalized photo ornament as a thoughtful party favor.
- Set the scene: Print family photos on coasters, placemats, or even a custom dinner menu for a heartfelt table setting that sparks conversation.
These small, creative touches do more than decorate; they tell your story. And when your guests walk in, they’ll feel it.
Capture the Memories
You’ve decorated, you’ve prepped, and you’ve pulled off an amazing holiday party, now it’s time to capture the magic. London Drugs has everything you need to preserve those joyful moments and turn them into keepsakes that last long after the season ends:
- Snap candid shots of your snack board masterpiece with instant cameras or single-use film photography (drop off or mail in your film post-party, and we’ll develop it for you!).
- Record a group cheers using a tripod for hands-free holiday memories.
- Film your own mini “holiday hosting recap” for social media with a clip-on ring light for that perfect festive glow.
After the celebration, upload your favorite shots to the LD Photolab to create prints, photo books, or even next year’s holiday cards.
Because when all’s said and done, the best souvenirs from a Christmas party aren’t the leftovers—they’re the memories you’ll revisit long after the last guest heads home.
Stress-Free Holiday Hosting Starts Here
When it comes to tips for hosting a stress-free holiday party, the trick is simple: start small, keep it personal, and lean on products that make life easier. From SMEG gadgets and Poppi mocktails to Lindt chocolates and Photolab keepsakes, LD has all the Christmas essentials you need for a warm, memorable season.
So go ahead and light the candles, turn up your playlist, and welcome your guests with confidence. With London Drugs, holiday entertaining is as joyful as it should be.
