Hosting Christmas can transform a season of joy into a source of significant stress, but one Perth expert insists it doesn't have to be that way. According to Sara Sutton, founder of the Perth Style Company, the secret to a perfectly polished and entirely enjoyable festive affair lies in smart planning and strategic outsourcing.
Outsource to Enjoy the Occasion
Sara Sutton emphasises that being organised and delegating tasks is the key to a leisurely celebration. "When your Christmas event is pre-planned and outsourced you can actually enjoy the festivities and spend that quality time with family and friends," she told Western Suburbs Weekly. She notes that hosts banished to the kitchen often end up feeling resentful, missing out on the fun.
Her practical advice includes taking advantage of local businesses like The Boatshed in Cottesloe, which offers pre-cooked and glazed hams. "Your only job is placing it on the table and serving it up," Sutton says. She adds that pre-cooked prawns or a roast chicken from a local store, when presented on a fancy platter with elegant garnishes, can look just as glamorous. This approach frees up precious time to focus on creating a beautiful setting and special moments for guests.
Festive Decor: Go Maximalist or Minimalist
As a veteran interior stylist, Sutton believes festive celebrations are all about sparkle, from twinkling fairy lights to shimmering baubles. She starts her own planning as early as June, though she suggests November is a good starting point for most.
For her, non-negotiable traditions include a show-stopping tree, a wreath on the door, and a lavish spread. The key to cohesive decorating is sticking to a chosen style throughout the entire home, including the table setting. This year's trend, she explains, is all about "all or nothing." Trees will either be completely obscured by decorations or kept nearly naked with just fairy lights and a single style of ornament or a large bow.
She highlights 'doorscaping'—extending the Christmas theme to the front veranda—as a major trend for 2025. This involves adding flourishes like a themed door mat and life-size Nutcracker soldiers. For the main tree, she recommends layering lights first, then garland, baubles, bows, and finally the tree topper.
Popular themes for the season include a neutral palette of creams and whites for a soft, classic feel, aligning with current tonal trends in interiors. Sutton also notes a big comeback for silver in tableware, alongside ornate traditional candlesticks and ice buckets.
Seven Tips for a Wow-Worthy Celebration
Sutton shared seven detailed tips for elevating any Christmas gathering on December 18, 2025.
1. Elegant Coordinated Stationery
Traditional invitations and Christmas cards are back in vogue. Sutton advises investing in stationery that matches your chosen theme, ensuring invites, printed menus, place cards, and gift tags all tie together for a polished look.
2. Christmas Karaoke
Setting up a karaoke station with a couple of microphones is a surefire way to inject fun and break the ice. Originally intended for children, Sutton was surprised how many adults eagerly participated, making it a now-standard recommendation.
3. DIY Cocktail or Mocktail Station
A self-serve bar with mixers, syrups, and garnishes like rosemary and cranberries serves a dual purpose. It encourages guests to mingle and move around, preventing them from being stuck in one seat, while also giving the host a welcome break from drink duty.
4. Interactive Games
Games are perfect for breaking up the meal, especially with children present or after a few drinks. Sutton suggests a twist on Pass the Parcel with trivia or dares inside each layer, or Christmas-themed charades and Pictionary.
5. Memory-Making Table
Place conversation starter cards at each seat with questions like "What is your funniest Christmas memory?" This bridges generational gaps and sparks meaningful interaction. She also recommends 'gratitude crackers' to encourage a moment of shared thankfulness.
6. Photo Backdrop with Polaroids
Create a simple backdrop with garlands or fairy lights and provide an instant camera. Guests can snap memories and pin them to a string display, capturing rare moments when friends and family are all together.
7. After-Dinner Chill Zone
As the festivities wind down, light candles, play mellow Christmas jazz, and set out blankets with mulled wine or hot chocolate in a dedicated cosy nook. This provides a peaceful space for relaxed conversation and helps keep the party flowing through different zones.
Ultimately, Sutton advocates for creating a sense of occasion by embracing formality and nostalgia. "Think about opting for a dressier Christmas and a more formal dinner," she says. "Bring out all the special heirloom glassware and dinnerware, and listen to records instead of Spotify. Your Christmas celebration is the perfect time to bring in some nostalgia."
