The Host: Your Yuletide Soirée

Whether you live in one of the region’s old farmhouses, a timber-frame cabin, a grand Greek Revival or a cozy cottage or chalet, homes in our corner of the world practically beg to be used for entertaining.

Since building our own Mid-century Modern style cabin in the mountains, my husband and I have spent countless hours doing just that—with area friends, pals who drive up from the city, family and even the occasional stranger who lingers a little too long at the door. It’s part of the reason we chose this lifestyle and community: for the built-in brood that fills our home with laughter, good food and all the quirks that come with mountain living.

And, unsurprisingly, the holidays are when we go all out. With these ideas from local designers, event planners, business owners and generally stylish folks, you can too.

Perfect Flow

This season, one entertaining trend I’m excited to try out is the dînatoire, a French-style gathering that blends cocktail party and dinner into one. In dînatoire tradition, guests mingle rather than sit for a formal meal—think abundant hors d’oeuvres, passed small plates and drinks that together replace what would otherwise be a traditional sit-down dinner. It’s less grazing board and more grazing for a fuller belly, coupled with mingling and storytelling all at once—a holiday soirée that flows and feels sophisticated yet low-pressure.

For Shalon Massello, senior conference planning manager at Windrose on Hudson, successful entertaining is all about that flow. “I avoid sit-down dinners and prefer heavier cocktail receptions with action stations,” she says. “It encourages movement and interaction.” Similar to a dînatoire, she likes to scatter food throughout several rooms so guests naturally drift and mingle. 

Outdoors In

As event planner Lauren Fritscher, founder of Berkshire Muse, puts it: “Gathering in this region is about connection as much as setting. The holidays are a perfect time to invite neighbors and friends we might not always cross paths with to slow down and reconnect. Make it feel effortless by making it simple.” 

For Bobby Graham and Matt Marden, founders of DUGAZON in Sharon, CT, holiday decorating can be simplified by reflecting the land outside your door. “We always bring the outdoors inside,” they agree. “Find beautiful pine branches from your yard or local nursery—garlands, trees and wreaths from local greenery make everything feel grounded.” They say their go-to is the Salisbury Garden Center on Route 44, but the philosophy holds anywhere: look to your surroundings first.

Dane Pressner, design director of D’Aquino Monaco and owner of Found By DaneCharles, also uses what nature gives him freely: fallen pinecones gathered from his yard, piled into bowls or scattered across the table for a festive but unfussy look. “Adding a touch of weird to a table makes for a great conversation piece,” says Victoria Thomas, owner of Table 75 Events in Poughkeepsie, NY, who advises incorporating dried local flowers, branches, acorns, moss, nuts and stones. 

Graham and Marden also advocate for decorating with what you love—family heirlooms, sterling silver, those plates you use once a year. “Don’t be afraid if they get chipped or broken,” they laugh simultaneously. “That means they had a good time. Nothing is too precious. Use it and enjoy it.”

Experiences, Not Tablescapes

If there’s one thing Berkshire Muse’s Fritscher knows, it’s that experiences linger longer than centerpieces. Her ideas lean both beautiful and communal. One of her favorites: a pie party. “Imagine inviting friends and neighbors for an afternoon gathering where each guest brings their favorite pie—a family recipe or a local specialty,” she says. “Use vintage pie servers and antique dessert plates. Have everyone make a handwritten label for their pie. Then set up a hot drink bar—mulled wine, cider or spiced tea in vintage teacups. I love the storytelling and connection that it creates.”

Or embrace winter fully with an après ski gathering—even if no one’s actually skied that day. “Think hot toddy bar, raclette or fondue, vintage blankets and classic board games,” Fritscher says. “Set it up on an outdoor patio with heaters and fire pits or indoors around a roaring fire. It’s family-friendly and cozy all at once.”

Personal + Local

Pressner emphasizes that hospitality up here is all about intention. “We love sharing the many amazing things the Catskills have to offer with our out-of-town guests,” he says. “For the at-home portion of hosting, I begin by leaving a welcome card on each guest’s pillow. In the card, I’ll include a note and a suggested itinerary. For us, most guests are coming from the city—we want to make them feel as cozy and comfortable as possible.”

That sense of ritual extends into breakfast. “Local farm-fresh eggs, bread and 2 Queens Coffee brewing—it’s the little details that make the weekend feel special,” he says. Thomas agrees, telling us a well-executed holiday table embodies the bounty of the region and brings people around it in a warm, intriguing and inviting way. “Greet guests with a glass of lively pét-nat from Accordion Wines [in Accord, NY] or a craft cocktail with local spirits from Pollinator Spirits [in the Catskills], Tuthilltown [in Gardiner, NY] or C. Cassis [in Rhinebeck, NY],” she says.

“In this part of the world, drive times from town to town can be a bit long for some guests. I suggest curating a themed playlist you can send to guests ahead of time—it can ease some of the most antsy guests in the car,” says Pressner.

Fire Starter

If there’s a unifying theme to how mountain hosts entertain, it’s this: don’t overcomplicate it. The best gatherings here happen by firelight, with mismatched plates, vintage finds and the hum of music that fills every corner of a lived-in home. As Fritscher reminds us, “A fireside chat, a simple meal with a small group—these are the invitations that people want.”

So this holiday season, forget perfection. Instead, gather your people, light the fire, pour the wine and make room for stories that’ll last well after the snow melts. “We don’t overdo it and keep our décor very subtle,” DUGAZON’s Graham and Marden say. “We just need a collection of Santas on the mantle or Vintage Czech Rhinestone Christmas Trees.” Sounds like a good time to me.