After a full week of late nights in the library, energy drinks on tap and constant grade calculations, students migrate back to their hometowns for Christmas break. Once they unpack their bags and catch up on sleep, high school group chats reawaken and plans for the first reunion begin to form. For students hoping to bring friends together at home, a Christmas dinner party provides the perfect opportunity to reunite. From the invitation to the table setting, follow the guide below to properly “deck the halls” of your home.
Earlier this month, I hosted eight of my closest college friends for a fancy Christmas dinner party. These are the steps I took to make sure everything was holly, jolly and properly executed.
Invitations
Planning the party started nearly two weeks in advance. Auburn University gives students a free subscription to Adobe platforms, so Adobe Express’ formal invitation templates are a good place to start. In an invitation, it is important to include the event title, location, time and contact information for guests to RSVP. Sending the invitation digitally in a group text allows the guests to respond quickly.
Decorations
As soon as guests RSVP “yes,” it is time to prepare. The next step is to decorate. I have always admired homemade decorations, and timeless orange slice garlands add the perfect touch.
To make the orange slice garlands, it is best to pick the largest oranges from the store. Cut them into thin slices, and pat them dry with a lint-free kitchen towel. Leave them overnight if possible, and put them in the oven the next day at 200°F until fully dehydrated. It is crucial to flip them over every thirty minutes so they do not burn. This process can take up to four hours.
Next, string them through twine or green wire to blend in with a garland.
For the table setting, try wrapping paper as a festive table runner. Spread another garland onto the table with leftover orange slices placed throughout. Tie green velvet ribbon around red and green candles in vintage candlesticks to complete your centerpiece. Complete your tablescape with gold chargers at each place setting, and finish with dishes and flatware with Christmas napkins.
Dining
As for the food, serve your favorite dish or a meal you think everyone will enjoy. For my dinner party, I served steak au poivre, a French pepper steak with the most delicious brandy-cream sauce. I first had this dish at a restaurant in North Carolina, and ever since, I have wanted to make it myself.
To make the steak, coat New York strips with cracked peppercorns and salt. Sear on the stovetop for four minutes on each side, and make the sauce in the same pan with brandy, heavy whipping cream and Dijon mustard. To prepare the meal servings, slice steak into thin strips and pour sauce on top.
For the sides, anything can do, but mashed potatoes and green beans pair perfectly with steak. I boiled green beans, and for ease, I warmed store-bought mashed potatoes to focus my time on cooking the steak.
When guests arrive, it is best to serve drinks and an appetizer first. We opted for a cranberry juice and ginger ale mocktail, and the classic cheese and crackers for an appetizer.
Once the food was ready and plated, we headed into the dining room to feast. Another great touch to a dinner party is name cards for table placements. Soft background music on a speaker adds a lovely ambience.
Lastly, an easy dessert option for the holidays is peppermint ice cream. A guest of mine was kind enough to make homemade hot chocolate as well, so we enjoyed that with our ice cream.
Traditions and Take-aways
My favorite way to end a dinner party is with Christmas poppers. This is a centuries-old British tradition in the form of pull-aparts that contain a paper crown, the occasional small toy, a Christmas joke and a question pertaining to the holidays. This makes for additional fun table conversation.
So why go through all the trouble to plan, decorate and cook for a dinner party? Because personal connections are formed, and conversation lingers over a good shared meal at the table. Friendships deepen and memories are made. That is one of my favorite parts about the holidays.
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Betsy Nearn, junior majoring in public relations, is from Memphis, Tennessee. She has been with The Auburn Plainsman since the fall of 2025.
