Holiday Hosting – Gourmet Pizza + Favorite Things Party

Hosting a gourmet pizza and favorites party is all about elevating the casual dining experience with a touch of elegance. It’s one of my favorite parties to throw!

I love to serve buffet style when I entertain. Set an array of gourmet pizzas displayed on elegant charcuterie boards. Use my favorite gold cake stands in varying heights to add visual interest, showcasing delicious appetizers (from Trader Joe’s – Apricot Brie Bites, Caramelized Onion and Feta Tarts and Mini Quiches) or sweet treats.

Crystal drink dispensers gleam with elegance, allowing guests to serve themselves chilled beverages in style, while fluted coupe glasses provide a sophisticated touch for sparkling drinks.

Lush, fresh white roses and pine arrangements add some softness,  filling the space with subtle elegance and the crisp scent of the season. These hostess pieces and pretty details create an inviting, sophisticated ambiance for an evening of great food and cherished company.

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Welcome Guests

First welcome your guests with appetizers and fun drinks. We don’t drink, so I love to serve a special non-alcoholic drink for my guests. This time I mixed sparkling water with Cran Strawberry Juice, sliced blood oranges and frozen cranberries for color. Dress up your water with fresh mint and cranberries.

Trader Joe’s has lovely options for yummy appetizers, making it so easy on you to host! I chose Brie Apricot Bites, Caramelized Onion and Feta Tarts and Mini Quiches. 

Gourmet Pizzas

Next, I served 3 types of Gourmet Pizzas, Fig and Pig, Sausage Alfredo and Margarita. Use charcuterie boards as serving platters as a whimsical touch. Recipes are below for you. I served a simple, delicious spinach salad. It’s just baby spinach, fresh raspberries, candies pecans and goat cheese topped with a creamy balsamic dressing. 

Label them with cute homemade labels on gold stands for some charm. 

Table Setting

For the table, use a white scalloped tablecloth as a beautiful backdrop. I loved the laurel wreath paper placemats paired with my white beaded dishes. 

More fresh white roses and Christmas greens in bud vases give the table a simple elegance. Add a few green sprigs to each place setting to tie into the centerpieces. 

Sources

Favorite Things Gift Game

You can either have each guest bring a gift to give away (one of their favorite things), or as the hostess, you can provide a gift for each guest.

My party was to thank the women I serve with at church, so I provided the gifts. It was fun rounding up so many of my favorite things to gift.

Each guest drew a number and opened a gift of their choice based on their number order. The next guest could choose to open a new gift or steal the first gift. Continue this until all the gifts have been opened. 

See the gifts I chose to give and what I used to wrap them below.

Gifts