At each place setting I used one of these gold mats which give a pretty background for plates, and mean that you don't need to worry about a tablecloth.

I layered up plates, for starters and mains, and topped with a sprig of eucalyptus. I didn't worry about place settings, I think it's nicer to keep things a bit less informal?

I love the shape of these scalloped plates, and these metallic patterned smaller side plates on top. 

I don't think I'll ever want to buy regular shaped crackers again after using these crackers. They give the table a different dynamic to the standard crackers, I like that you don't have to just lay them across the plates. It's just a more fun idea and they look so pretty.

Lighting the candles transformed the table again. Can you ever have enough?

Pillar candles online here.

My husband, who probably only cooks about 3 dinners year round, is always the one in charge of the Christmas cooking! He played a blinder but it helped that everything was pre-prepared. So pretty much all I had to do was decant the cranberry and bread sauce. Win win!

Christmas isn't the time for stressing about slaving over a stove for any longer than you have to, luckily this microwavable turkey gravy tastes better than anything we could ever make anyway. A little bit lazy but stress, and mess free. Whilst the bird was cooking, we also cooked all of the veg during this time to save on having to stand cooking once everyone had arrived. We then just left it warm in a side oven and it was perfect. I always try and prepare/cook as much as I can in advance.

We wanted a real feast, pretty much the law at Christmas, so ordered this luxury vegetable selection pack that had potatoes {including goose fat}, parsnips with honey, a carrot & swede crush and sprouts with bacon and chestnuts along with cauli cheese.

The sprouts were ready to microwave but we decided to roast ours in the oven seeing as we had the bird in there anyway, making them even more delicious. 

{p.s. a handy tip if you don't want loads of washing up, line your baking trays with foil}

If you write out your timings in advance, and what needs to go in when, you can't go wrong. 

With the food all in the oven and ready to be microwaved, we got drinks ready to serve and the music playing before everyone arrived. You can find this year's Spotify Playlist online here. 

Obsessed with this drinks tray and stackable coupes for making everything feel a lot more glam.

Our lovely Mumma's.

The guest of honour was the pup, who arrived in his new bow-tie! {we say that he's my Dad's favourite child}

We've hosted loads of BBQs this summer since the kitchen's been finished but this felt like it was our first proper winter evening. I really love this space for having everyone in one place whilst we cook.

The boy's.

My not so little brother!

For a starter, we served these fancy seafood knickerbocker glories, prawns layered up with lobster and prosecco mousse topped with lemon and dill. Along with some mini party bites, the lobster mac n' cheeses were insane.










And then the main feast was served! We decided to let everybody serve themselves from the kitchen rather than bringing everything to the table and have everyone reach over everybody else.



It keeps all the mess out the way too and everyone can have a bit, or a lot, of whatever they fancy.







It was the perfect start to the Christmas season. I always forget just how delicious a Christmas dinner is with all the sides like pigs in blankets, stuffing and red cabbage along with cranberry and bread sauce.



We pulled our crackers and then found some room for dessert.





My Mum & Dad.





Pudding was a show-stopper. Yule log is always my favourite but this was the yummiest, and most impressive version I've ever had. Flavoured with salted caramel and topped with sparkly truffles and shards of chocolate.





You could eat it as it is but I served ours with warm vanilla custard, so it went all melty.







The best in-laws.











After dinner we played these games, the best £5 we've spent in years! There was a mix of trivia, charades and a 'name 5' game. Mixed with some fizz we were all in fits of laughter. I had tears rolling down my face laughing at the acting of charades. Such good fun, it's what Christmas is all about.













And as if we needed to use Christmas as an excuse... then came out the Macarons {!}.



This lustred macaron set looked beautiful and sparkly in the candle light, a special little extra to finish on.









There was hardly any washing up to do afterwards, and a good time was had by all. The festive eating and drinking has well and truly begun! I can't wait to do it all again very soon.

Are you hosting this Christmas? Tis' the season!

R <3 xx

{I'm proud to say that this post is sponsored by M&S, a brand I've loved for years and years}