It’s the season for holiday entertaining, and we’ve asked some of the most stylish hosts we know to share their party tricks in a holiday hosting mini-series. Dress code is festive, and an RSVP is requested. À Table!

“The best nights are often the ones that are a little spontaneous,” says Laura Jackson. The TV presenter and founder is so passionate about the art of entertaining that she launched a brand dedicated to it: Glassette, a digital space where you can find a recipe for a dark chocolate clementine torte and shop for the perfect platter to serve it on.

Her guiding philosophy—that hosting should be fun—shines in every party she puts together, most recently for an intimate holiday dinner at home. “I love gathering my nearest and dearest around the table, chatting for hours over home-cooked food and champagne,” says Jackson of her preferred hosting style. The tablecloth was a vibrant bubblegum pink; the menus were handwritten in loopy calligraphy; and instead of a stately centerpiece, she used a scattering of slim burgundy taper candles, ceremoniously placed through seasonally appropriate pomegranates. “I always tend to do a single-stem vase and dot these along the table,” she explains. “They look delicate and don’t take up too much space.”

Here, go behind the scenes of her holiday party and steal some smart entertaining tips (yes, your martini does deserve a lace ribbon garnish) for your own festive evening.

Set the Scene
“I always start with a color combination in mind and see what I’ve got in my cupboards. I look at my tablecloth collection and use this as the canvas, adding pops of color through the glassware, napkins, ribbons on glasses or candle holders, and tie everything together with a place setting, usually hand-painted for a personal touch. This year I’ve gone very colorful; it’s bright, bold, and brings me joy.”

The Hosting Outfit
“At Christmas, I tend to bring out the velvets, satin, or something embroidered. I have a few dresses I return to every year from Simone Rocha and H&M, and Boden always has great knits. I’m really into the brand Alémais this year; I’m wearing their rust brown polo with a fringe wrap skirt.”

Tabletop Heroes
“We recently collaborated with Next on a Christmas collection. I love the amber glassware by Made, and the cream plates are timeless. I turn to my Joanna Ling ceramics over and over again—the candle holders are elegant—and tapered candles from Neptune that come in a lovely range of colors.”

What’s on the Menu
“My go-to starter is anchovy on brioche; it’s so quick to throw together but never fails to impress. The rest of the menu is often inspired by something I’ve eaten recently in a restaurant that I’ll try to simplify at home, or I turn to my cookbooks—I have a never-ending collection, and I read them from cover to cover like novels.”IKEA
Cocktail pick set – $6
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Crate & Barrel
Fishwife Cantabrian anchovies pack – $8
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Amazon – The Drinks Station
“I love margaritas, so I’ll whip up one of those to start us off. A twist on a simple recipe, like a pickle juice or marmalade margarita, is always popular with guests. Speaking of pickle, I’ve been loving a pickle martini, so those will be on my table too. If time allows, I make a big batch and serve them throughout the night. I want people to feel at home when I’m hosting, so I encourage them to help themselves—though I also top up drinks myself as the evening goes on. I’m a big fan of champagne, so I usually serve that as well; it always feels celebratory and special.”

Photography by Jon Gorrigan

All in the Details
“Last year I created ribbon menus, so this time I wanted to do something a little different. Lace felt like a natural evolution—elegant and delicate, softening the bold, statement tablescape I chose.
With so much already happening on the table, I was careful not to over-style it. Instead of adding multiple candles or holders, a single candle placed in a pomegranate from my fruit bowl felt just right.”

Neptune
Nightingale tapered candles set – $25
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Anastasia Maria Shop
Lace ribbon trim – $3 (Etsy)
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Dinner Party Dos & Don’ts

The Faux Pas…
“I think it’s on the host to truly show up. Hosting isn’t just about opening your home—it’s about being present. When you’re relaxed as the host and clearly enjoying yourself, your guests will too. That presence can show in the smallest actions: noticing when someone’s glass is empty, bridging conversations, or stepping in to keep things flowing.”

The Party Playlist…
“I like to switch playlists as the night unfolds and read the mood of the room. I usually start with something mellow—think Sade and laid-back soul—and then, as the evening warms up, I move to something more upbeat that gently nudges people toward the dance floor… a.k.a. the kitchen.”

The Guest List…
“One of my favorite things to do is introduce and connect people. I’m always thinking, ‘You’ll get on really well with my friend,’ or ‘I know someone who can help you with that,’ so I keep that in mind when planning the guest list. I want people to come away having had a great evening and maybe even making a new friend.”

The Stress-Reducing Secret…
“Don’t make anything too difficult for yourself! Order takeout if needed, buy something store-bought, use what you have at home, and get creative.”

Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about At the Table A Vibrant Feast with Laura Jackson designed to sound like questions from a real person

General Concept
Q What is At the Table A Vibrant Feast with Laura Jackson
A Its a cookbook and lifestyle guide by Laura Jackson cofounder of Glassette It focuses on creating beautiful relaxed gatherings with delicious vegetableforward recipes and thoughtful hosting tips

Q Is this just a cookbook or is it about something more
A Its both While packed with recipes its equally about the art of gatheringthe atmosphere the table setting and the joy of sharing a meal with friends and family in a stressfree way

Q Who is Laura Jackson and why should I trust her advice
A Laura Jackson is a wellknown Londonbased host entrepreneur and design lover Shes celebrated for her effortlessly chic style and her belief that hosting should be joyful not perfect Her advice comes from reallife experience

Recipes Cooking
Q What kind of recipes are in the book
A Youll find vibrant seasonal recipes that are heavy on vegetables but not exclusively vegetarian Think showstopping salads simple pasta dishes beautiful roasts and easy desserts designed for sharing

Q Are the recipes complicated or suitable for beginners
A Most recipes are approachable and designed for home cooks Laura emphasizes simplicity and quality ingredients over complex techniques making it great for beginners but with enough flair to inspire more experienced cooks

Q Does the book cater to specific diets
A While not a dedicated diet book many recipes are naturally vegetarian or can be easily adapted The focus on vegetables means there are plenty of options and substitutions are often suggested

Q Can you give an example of a standout recipe
A Recipes like her Burrata with Charred Lemons Chile or Roasted Squash with Spiced Butter Almonds are famous for being simple yet incredibly impressive and flavorful

Hosting Practical Tips
Q I get stressed about hosting Does this book help with that
A Absolutely A core message of the book is done is better than perfect It provides practical tips for planning preparing ahead and