A HOLIDAY COCKTAIL HOUR WITH
CHRSITINE FLYNN
Photo credit: Christine Flynn
Holiday entertaining is magical. Friends and family gather in festive surroundings, and the heart of hosting lies in the careful orchestration of details— creating an enchanting tableau for shared stories, clinking glasses, and joyous conversations. In this artful celebration, hosting is not just an event but a timeless experience that lingers in the heart of guests. Christine Flynn shares a few tips and tricks for styling the most enchanting holiday cocktail hour that creates a sense of sophistication, where every element seamlessly intertwines to evoke a feeling of connection and timeless charm.
CHRISTINE FLYNN: THE ARTIST AND HOSTESS EXTRAORDINAIRE
Beyond her prowess in the art world, Christine is a maestro when it comes to interior design and hosting gatherings. Her approach to entertaining, as she eloquently puts it, is straightforward yet deeply rooted in personal authenticity. For her, every element of a gathering should feel like a natural extension of herself and her home, and this philosophy shines through in her recent holiday cocktail hour. We worked with Christine to carefully select some pieces that showcase our commitment to artisanal craft and timeless design, and that also speak to her discerning tase and desire to integrate elements that resonate with her vintage aesthetic and hospitality.
PREPARED LIBATIONS FOR AN EFFORTLESS WELCOME
"Pre-make a pitcher of cocktails before guests arrive! This lets you focus on welcoming guests into your home instead of scrambling to the kitchen to make drinks." By taking care of this detail ahead of time, you can shift your focus to ensure your guests feel embraced from the moment they arrive! Crafted with precision, these timeless vessels will add an air of elegance to any gathering.
NEGRONI SBAGLIATO
Make a pitcher of:
3/4 up Campari
1/2 cup sweet vermouth
1/4 cup lemon juice
Mix ingredients together. Top with Prosecco and garnish with orange twist and rosemary. Serve on the rocks or straight up in Luisa Calice stemmed glassware!
A WARM GLOW WITH NATURAL ELEMENTS
Set the mood for the evening with classic taper candles. Their warm, inviting glow creates connection with those at your gathering, making everything feel extra cozy— adding to the overall ambiance. Particularly striking is how Christine's vintage candle holders effortlessly enhance the table's greenery, infusing the setting with a delightful blend of vintage charm and natural elements. "Natural elements like flowers and greenery are a great way to elevate any tablescape. I like to forage from my own backyard, snipping twigs and cedar branches to arrange in vessels (which also makes the room smell amazing)."
SWEETY & SAVOURY DELIGHTS
Set a welcoming tone to any cocktail hour with an artfully arranged charcuterie, perfect for pre-dinner grazing. "If you don't have a lot of prep time, charcuterie boards are easy to put together in advance and can include holiday favourites to fit the season (think clementines and figs)." Achieve a feast for the eyes by blending an assortment of flavours, textures and colours!
OLIVE & THYME BAKED FETA WITH HONEY GLAZE
3 x 8oz squares good quality sheep’s milk feta cheese
¾ cup black and green olives, pits removed
6 sprigs of fresh thyme
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
Peeled zest of 1 lemon
3 Tbs good quality olive oil
¼ cup honey
Kosher salt and cracked black pepper to taste
Full recipe here.