Kelly Yates

Yes, well, I have some wonderful tips actually on hosting.

If you are organising any social gathering over Christmas, what you want to make sure is to get the invitations out as soon as possible and include a date, time, dress code.

Do include what time the party finishes so people know when to leave and if there's going to be hors d'oeuvres or a full meal so people can plan and know what to expect in advance.

Dress code is very important.

You can really have fun over the Christmas period with a black tie or it could be as simple as you like with a Christmas jumper, which is called Ugly Sweater in America.

And I think it's quite charming and fun because you think of the movie Bridget Jones Diary with the dashing Mr. Darcy when he first met Bridget Jones and he had this Christmas sweater on.

And it was so fun.

It brings a smile to people's face.

And that's what it's all about.

But that's more for family gathering, not for an elegant dining event.

So...

The table setting is very important.

First impressions are everything.

You really want to make it warm and inviting.

And the centerpiece is quite important.

You don't want anything tall and extravagant that's going to distract from people.

actually seeing one another because you don't want to be like a jack-in-the-box popping up and down to try and make polite conversation.

It needs to be lower than eye level and it needs to be something like this.

You know, a little point of center.

The poinsettia.