The Tree Trimming Party Is This Year’s Holiday Trend. Here’s How to Host One.

You know the tree trimming parties of yore, when folks would gather around a massive Frasier fir and carol in Victorian garb (Tiny Tim, is that you)? Good news: You can totally pull off this festively retro party theme in a small space. We threw ours in a two-bedroom New York City apartment with a small, living tree from Bloomscape. This hook provides a wonderful antidote to the standard holiday cocktail party...where you end up spending the greater part of the evening in deathly-dull convo with a random spouse.

Sayonara, stuffy sit-down dinner. Lean into the ease and intimacy of this theme and sprawl out on the floor, indoor picnic-style. With a cozy blanket, pillows and a graze board (or coffee table) heaped with treats, your living room becomes a hygge-chic zone for crafting and noshing.

Well, trimming, of course. String your tree in advance (we mean, only a sadist would ask that of their friends). Then set out bowls and boxes of ornaments so guests can help themselves and get in the spirit of the season. And for the extra crafty, set up a DIY station. (More about that below.)

A crafting project will give folks a convivial activity that results in fun, festive party favors to take home. Our advice? Pick something that’s beginner level and affordable. Pine cones, for example, can be foraged from the backyard (or bought for $6 at Michael’s). Coupled with just a little twine, metallic ribbon and a glue gun, everyone can whip up an ornament for their own tree.

Sugary, headache-inducing holiday punch? We’ll pass. Instead, ruby vermouth spritzers will steal the show. Refreshing and warming, they’re as easy as mixing sweet red vermouth with a can of seltzer.

When it comes to snacks, give the people what they want: cheese. But instead of a standard spread, up the ante with cranberry-Brie pie crust bites. They’re an elegant, elevated take on cheese and crackers—and thanks to pre-made piecrust and cranberry sauce, they’re just as fast.

Between all of the crafting and trimming, everyone’s hands will be full, so skip the three-course meal in favor of small, easy-to-grab bites. These crispy bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts will tide everyone over.

Do yourself a favor and spread out an array of low-maintenance nibbles that’ll last for a couple hours on the graze board (think: nuts and small candies). The golden rule to building an impressive board? Selecting a few seasonal recipes no one’s seen before, like these delicata squash rings with garlic-lemon sauce. They’re basically an onion ring, but a million times more classy and festive.

Snack. Craft. Sing along with Bing. Pour another spritzer (or three). Did we mention that this party works best on a chilly afternoon? You can be in your PJs by 9 p.m. Which, during the holidays, is truly the greatest gift of all. 

Recipes and additional reporting by Heath Goldman, assisted by Katherine Gillen.