Andy Baraghani’s Guide to an Effortless Holiday Table

Start With a Clean, Generous Surface

A tablescape can’t shine if it’s fighting clutter. Clear everything. Give yourself space. Even the simplest setup looks intentional when the table isn’t overloaded before you begin.

You Do Not Have to Make Everything Yourself

This is the secret to being a relaxed host. Buy the bread. Outsource dessert. Pick up a great ice cream or a gorgeous pie. The mix of effort and ease is what gives a party its charm. If you make everything, you will resent everyone. If you mix homemade with store-bought, you will actually be able to enjoy your guests.

Even Simple Food Deserves Beautiful Serveware

A bowl of olives. A pile of clementines. A humble salad. These things look elevated when you use real napkins, good plates, and a candle or two. Serving is half the experience. Dress up the simplest food and people will treat it like something special.

Add One Decorative Touch That Signals Holiday

I am not asking you to transform your living room into the North Pole. You do not need reindeer in every corner. But one clear, joyful gesture makes the room feel festive. Twinkly lights. A small tree. A bowl of ornaments. Candy canes hung on doorknobs. Scattered gelt. A hint is enough. One moment of holiday magic goes a long way.

Use Real Linens to Make the Table Feel Considered
A tablecloth softens the room, and cloth napkins elevate even the humblest meal. They add texture, warmth, and a sense of occasion. They do more work than any decorative object ever could.

Keep Florals Simple and Seasonal

A few branches. Some loose stems. Maybe a couple of citrus fruits tucked between candles. You want it to feel natural, not fussy, like the table grew that way overnight. Overbuilt arrangements are hard to talk around and even harder to manage. Let things breathe. Let them lean a little.

Cheese Is Non-Negotiable

You can serve a full menu or a single snack, but cheese must be present. Melted, baked in pastry, cubed on a board, or grated over something warm and buttery, cheese is comforting and communal. It gives people something to hover around. It makes everyone feel good. If you put out cheese, your party is already halfway to success.

Do Not Forget the Vegetables

After cocktails, cheese, and one too many little bites, the table needs something crisp or pickled to bring everyone back to life. A bowl of marinated cucumbers. Roasted carrots with herbs. A citrusy salad. Vegetables add color, freshness, and balance, and they make the rest of the menu feel intentional instead of indulgent chaos.

Serve One Dish That Feels Generous

Every great party needs one showstopper, a big platter of something that announces, “You are welcome and fed.” It doesn’t have to be complicated: a glossy roast chicken, a giant bowl of pasta, a heaping pile of shrimp. Something abundant instantly relaxes people. It signals care without ceremony.

Do Not Forget to Hydrate

Before you think about martinis, wine, punch, or whatever icy golden drink you plan to serve, remember water. Water is the unsung hero of every successful party. You cannot drink martinis all night without water nearby. I scatter pitchers everywhere, on the table, by the bar, within reach of anyone holding a cocktail. I keep glasses filled, quietly and constantly. Your guests will thank you the next morning.

Compostable Plates and Utensils Make Cleanup Easy

Not everything needs to be ceramic or silver. Compostable plates and utensils save you hours at the sink. You can throw them away with less guilt, and if you want to spark a little conversation, ask your friends to guess what they are made of: bamboo, sugarcane, wheat stalk. It becomes a party trick and a public service announcement at the same time.