Kathy Hilton dishes on 7 things you need for the ultimate holiday party

Brittany Romano | Reviewed

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The North Pole has Mrs. Claus, whose magic touch turns the cool climate into a winter wonderland. Bel-Air has its own queen of Christmas: Kathy Hilton.

Earlier this month, the reality star invited Reviewed into her home for the holidays—call it the ultimate experience in Christmas chic. A shimmering silver tree stands tall in the foyer. Candy cane-scented candles waft through the air. And much like Mrs. Claus, Kathy is making wreaths that will be displayed throughout her home.

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"I don't go this crazy [with decorations] for the other holidays, but [for] Christmas I do. It just [adds] warmth in the home," Kathy explains.

It’s little wonder, then, that when she talks about hosting the perfect holiday party, Kathy ensures every detail from the décor to the dinner menu emphasizes warmth.

"Everywhere you look, [most things] look the same," says Kathy. That’s why she was determined to spice things up this year.

How to host the holidays like a Hilton

This year, Kathy hired holiday decorators to assemble color-coordinated decorations that brought her fantasy to life and enlisted the help of a few extra bartenders to serve her signature Moët & Chandon cocktail to guests.

Kathy partnered with Yelp to hire holiday professionals for her large-scale holiday hosting, but for those planning to entertain on a smaller scale, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills starlet explains, there is no need to go all out.

Instead, she recommends you start small. Grab a piece of paper and invest in these seven-holiday hosting essentials—after all, "it's the way Hunky Dory rolls" come the holiday season.

1. Start by focusing on the foyer

Foyers are not only the first thing guests see when attending a party, but in the Hilton household, it also doubles as the first stop when hosting a party.

"We entertain in the entryway," Kathy reveals, and to make sure it lives up to The Queen of Christmas's expectation, she emphasizes her décor—more specifically, décor that her daughter Nicky designed with the brand Bauble, a stocking brand with a cult following on Instagram.

Instead of childhood ornaments, Kathy beams with joy as she points to a selection of "hand-stiched" stockings that not only look good but do good. Available in five patterns—from ladybugs to multi-colored rainbows—these cotton and soft velvet stockings support "single moms" and "provide meaningful jobs."

2. Select a signature scent

Another way to get into the holiday spirit is with the help of Voluspa's Crushed Candy Cane Candle; not only does it "make a great gift," but Kathy admits it's one of her favorites.

It features crisp peppermint notes blended with warm buttery goodness reminiscent of freshly baked cookies; with a variety of sizes available (from three-wick to five-wick options), this hand-painted vessel doubles as the most stylish home décor, and reviewers agree.

One shopper says, "this treasure is so festive," while another says "it's the perfect year-round" piece. And, one reviewer summed it up perfectly: "Kathy Hilton bought a Voluspa Crushed Candy Cane Candle, so I bought a Voluspa Crushed Candy Cane Candle."

3. Brighten up dim rooms

"I had a gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous, party right before the pandemic, and that room was something else [...] the food was so pretty, but the [room] was so dark," so it's essential to be well-lit Kathy explains.

To alleviate those woes, she recommends gravitating towards the ruby-red goblet "she's obsessed with."

"[I use] Baccarat [pieces] all the time," and the 4¼' diameter x 12½' height is ideal for tabletop settings; the newer fanciful composition sets a transparent light shade, filtered by a magic crystal, creating an enchanting atmosphere day or night.

For a more affordable dupe, opt for this candlestick from Amazon, which has a 4.4-star rating and costs less than $30.

4. Pair plates with décor

Skip the overly decorated plates, and opt for something sleeker, more sophisticated with this porcelain plate set. This set includes 18-pieces with six dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls, all of which work well together or on their own.

With delicate detailing on its rim, the gold trim is stunningly subtle but statement-making enough where you can understand why Godinger is one of Kathy's favorite homeware brands.

Get the Godinger Saba Gold 18 Piece Dinnerware Set from Bloomingdale's for $133.32

5. Elevate utensils

This holiday season, turn to this simple and modern flatware set that over 1,000 reviewers can't stop raving over. Featuring a total of 20 utensils, shoppers will receive four dinner forks, four teaspoons, four knives, four salad forks, and four tablespoons, all of which are "lightweight and good for everyday use."

Ideal for hosting up to four people at once, or in Kathy's case, hosting holiday gatherings in more than one room, this silverware set not only "sparkles" wherever it is placed, seamlessly blending with any current or future holiday décor.

Get the Godinger Silverware Set from Amazon for $17.95

6. Invest in interchangeable glassware

According to Kathy, there isn't one-size-fits-all for glassware. "Sometimes I do three different glasses, so in other words, I don't use a set. [Instead] I'll use one from each set" she explains, and this Baccarat set is one of her favorite brands.

Here, you can convey classic style at your holiday celebrations with this striking set. Featuring four uniquely shaped glasses, all of which range in size and width, every choice is optimal for indulging in wines from red to whites.

According to one shopper, "this elegant set [is] for anyone who appreciates fine crystal," while another says it's for those who "carefully or appreciatively" what to indulge in gorgeous glassware.

Lastly, brighten up the palette by inserting these same exact ruby-red water glass pair Kathy has; it's an easy way to add a pop of color without drawing too much attention.

7. Strategically seat guests

Avoid a repeat of Kathy's "dinner party from hell" by keeping your table in proper order, and the one way to do that is with a seating chart.

"I always do a seating chart, [that way] people can see when they walk in. I have these charts" to explain who is seated next to whom, and in the event, there is an issue, Kathy says guests can "whisper to her" to move their seat.

Perfect for special occasions, these place cards are suitable for holiday get-togethers or weddings and are customizable. Add some shimmer and shine with pearlescent or remain eco-friendly with recycled paper; if neither works, retire to the traditional thicker, luxurious stock paper.

With both folded and flat cards available and eight different colors to choose from, all that's left to do is assign every guest to a seat, and you're ready to enjoy the dinner.

Get the Classy Type Place Cards from Minted starting at $10

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