Holiday Hosting with Ivy Odom 🎉
Party hacks for a very busy season.
Holiday hosting doesn’t need a theme board, a dress code or a meltdown.
Ivy Odom, Southern Living test kitchen pro, Hey Y’all host and author of the recently released My Southern Kitchen throws the kind of parties that feel generous, relaxed and actually doable, even in December.
Born and raised in Moultrie, Georgia, Odom blends heritage recipes with a modern, low-pressure approach to entertaining. Her two favorite holiday party formats, the Christmas Workshop Party and the Favorite Things Party, prove that the best gatherings are the ones that meet people where they are.
Here’s how she makes the magic happen:
Host a Christmas Party That Doubles as a Productivity Hang
The Christmas Workshop Party is exactly what it sounds like: friends show up with a project and zero pressure.
“It’s not supposed to be very structured at all,” Ivy says. “They bring the project they want to work on. It’s supposed to be very well-lived and stress-free… just an excuse to gather and still get some stuff checked off your Christmas to-do list.”
Think addressing cards, wrapping gifts or just talking through decor ideas with a glass of wine in hand. The host supplies only the basics, tape, scissors, ribbon, markers and lets guests handle the rest.
The key rule: projects are optional. “If you don’t have a project, that doesn’t mean don’t come,” she says. “You can still come and enjoy the company, or help somebody with theirs.”
Let Food and Drinks Carry the Night
Forget assigned stations or elaborate activities. Ivy says the real anchor of the night is always the food and drink setup.
“The food and drink station is the most important because it’s just people enjoying themselves while also getting to talk,” she explains.
Keep it casual: a few crowd-pleasing appetizers, a dessert or two and drinks that don’t require you to play bartender, like a pre-batched cocktail. From My Southern Kitchen, Ivy suggests whipped goat cheese with bacon jam, brown butter chocolate chip cookies or an easy milk punch or bourbon mule for something festive.
For Favorite Things Parties, the Budget is Non-Negotiable
If you’ve never been to a Favorite Things Party, here’s the short version: everyone brings a few of their favorite items and leaves with new ones to love. Ivy says the whole thing hinges on one detail.
“Setting a budget is the number one thing you should do,” she says. Her sweet spot? Around $20–$25, which allows guests to bring three items and leave with three items. That way, it doesn’t feel like a glorified gift swap.
“Stick to the budget and don’t try to outdo somebody else,” Ivy adds. Passion matters more than price. A great favorite thing could be a book you loved, a pantry staple, a skincare product or something that made your work life easier this year.
The only rule: don’t go so niche that no one else can use it.
Prep Everything Before Guests Arrive
Ivy’s biggest hosting boundary is simple: once people walk in, she’s done working.
“Make sure all of your food and drinks are done before people get there,” she says. “You don’t want to be playing bartender all night.”
If you’re serving a cocktail, batch it ahead or print the recipe so guests can help themselves. Otherwise, stock an ice bucket with wine and NA options, set out the glasses and move on.
For the Christmas Workshop Party, Ivy sets out all supplies in a basket ahead of time. “Once people get there, I can just put it on the table or hand them the basket and tell them to have fun.”
Hosting attire is equally low-pressure. “Throw on your Christmas best,” she says. “If that means sweatpants, that’s perfect.”
Skip the Favors, Send People Home Happy
Not every party needs a curated takeaway. Ivy loves when the experience itself handles that.
“For a favorite things party, the beauty is that you leave with something regardless,” she says. “It’s not on the host to provide a favor.”
For other gatherings, her move is practical and appreciated: leftovers. She keeps containers or baggies on hand so guests can take brownies or cookies home.
“I don’t try to make it fancy,” Ivy says. “Anything beyond that is a lot of work for the host.”
If people leave happy, full and a little lighter than when they arrived, you did it right.
Ivy’s holiday hosting style is proof that the best parties don’t feel over-planned, they feel generous, easy and real. Or, as she puts it, “Just have fun.”
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My Southern Kitchen by Ivy Odom
A modern Southern cookbook packed with crowd-pleasing recipes and flexible menus that make hosting feel totally manageable, even when your calendar’s stacked.
Papier x Anthropologie Pop-Out Bauble Cards
Pop, fizz, cheer. The Cut-Out Bauble Cards bring instant celebration to every letterbox. Featuring a festive red hue and an elegant cut-out flute design, these cards double as mini decorations. Each set includes eight cards and matching envelopes.
Holiday 6-oz. Aperitif Glasses
Elevate cocktail hour with this set of gorgeous aperitif glasses. Perfectly scaled to serve a splash of champagne or an after-dinner liqueur, the glasses come in four jewel-tone colors in a sophisticated holiday palette. Long, slender stems feel elegant in hand and make it easy to tip back the bowl for small sips of spirits.
Etched Glass Serve Bowl
Make your party merry and bright with this starry serving bowl.
Wondershop™ Christmas Gift Boxes
Make your holiday presents merry and bright with this 4-Count Christmas Inline Flatbox Set from Wondershop™. This set includes four Christmas boxes featuring Christmas-themed shop fronts — North Pole Pastries, Sugarplum Sweets, Festive & Fresh Dry Cleaning, and Winter Wonderland Workshop — for a whimsical touch. Made of paper, these Christmas boxes come with “To:” and “From:” labels for easy identification.