’Tis the season for holiday entertaining, and we’ve enlisted the help of the most stylish hosts we know to serve up their party tricks for a holiday hosting mini-series. Dress code festive, RSVP requested. À Table!
When it comes to entertaining, culinary artist and model Maryah Ananda is hardly a creature of habit. Sometimes, it’s an intimate gathering with her nearest and dearest; other times, it’s a cornucopian fête where the wine is constantly flowing and the dress code is fancy. “This supports all the different versions of me,” she says. “Sometimes, I just want to show up in faux fur and gloves or my favorite black dress and a red wine lip!”
For this particular evening—a cozy dinner served buffet-style over a soft golden tablecloth to raise funds for One Love Community Fridge—the directive leaned toward the former. “I wanted the tablescape to feel warm and inviting, bringing in the holiday season with care,” explains Ananda. Everything from the comforting dishes to the soft taper candle light to the menu carefully hand-written on folding notecards was in service of this goal; laid-back but welcoming, informal but absolutely on-theme.
Ahead, go behind the scenes of Ananda’s holiday dinner party, shop similar pieces, and jot down her cardinal rules of easy hosting, starting with: Always having flowers around.
Photography by Kelsey Cherry
Crafting the Table
“I always start with the fundamentals and then build from there. The first question is: tablecloth, table runner, or none at all? Florals are always non-negotiable. I like to decide early on whether the arrangement will be a large centerpiece or a scattering of single stems across the table; that choice really dictates the visual flow of the entire setting. I then ask myself: How do I want guests to feel? I find that when the table reflects the season’s offerings there is already a sense of comfort and a built-in conversation starter. With that in mind I can think of what colors and materials to incorporate.
Because this gathering took place in the winter, I wanted it to feel autumnal and cozy—something that would offset the cold outside. I chose a mustard-colored linen tablecloth and asked my friend Fernando Daquiz Kabigting of FDK Florals to create a whimsical arrangement that complemented the theme.”
The Hosting Outfit
“My hosting formula is to have two outfits: one that you cook, tidy up, get ready in, and the other that is guest-facing. (Same with aprons!) A black T-shirt and jeans is my prep outfit while my hosting outfit just needs to be one I feel the most comfortable yet confident in. I avoid wearing silk if it’s a large gathering, because it’s easy to notice stains. Cotton and linen are my ideal picks because they’re breathable, lightweight, and easier to get stains out of. This suit set from Ganni is my go-to hosting outfit. I feel structured yet slightly sexy and effortless. That’s my vibe. I love wearing J. Crew, Ganni, Aritzia, Damson Madder, or Jacquemus.”