Designer Ashley Hanley runs a full service eponymous interior design firm based in Richmond, Virginia, where she lives with her husband, Brendan, their two daughters, Frances Miller and Louise, and a loveable yellow lab named Grady.

Since launching her firm in 2017, Ashley’s projects have become recognized for a creative mix of new and old that embrace a collected and layered look. When she’s not onsite at a project or sifting through her vast collection of fabrics, you’re most likely to find Ashley out and about on her store circuit antiquing, or spending quality time with her family at the beach. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Ashley is also a firm believer in Southern Hospitality, and we are delighted to welcome her to The Glam Pad today to share her Top 10 Tips for Throwing a Memorable Holiday Dinner Party. Welcome, Ashley!

Ashley Hanley‘s Top 10 Tips for Throwing a Memorable Holiday Dinner Party 

Ample Planning: Start gathering ideas about 5 to 6 months in advance. I like to think about roughly how many guests will be in attendance and what my color palette or theme might be. Planning far in advance allows ample time to collect additional place settings that you might be missing for your desired number of guests.

Hire help if your budget allows: If you have the option to do so, book a chef or caterer. If that is not an option, hire an extra hand or two to help with the bar and serving of food. If you are planning to cook, make sure to have as much prepared before your guests arrive so that you do not need to be in the kitchen the entire evening.

Snacks & Drinks: I always like to plan to have a charcuterie board for guests to snack on before we gather at the table for the main meal. For the bar, make sure to have a fully stocked bar, along with one or two easy to grab drinks – such as a chilled bottle of champagne or premade mixed drink. Also, always buy more than you think you will drink.

Set the mood: I always make sure to have great music playing nonstop in the background and plenty of candles across the table and in the room. These two elements help create such a cozy and beautiful moment in a room.

Memorable Gifts: I absolutely love giving gifts and love creating little favors for my guests to take home to help remember the evening. This past year I collected a variety of glass holiday ornaments and had a dear friend hand calligrapher individual tags for each. Another time I did little take-out boxes with a fortune cookie ornament that were adorned with each guest’s name that we used in lieu of place cards.

Stay in Charge: As the host, it is your role to make sure the courses come out at a decent pace. It is very easy to get caught up in conversation, so make sure to keep an eye on the clock for timing out the next course or if a new bottle of wine needs to be opened for the table.

Have Fun: The easiest way to have a memorable dinner party? Let loose and have fun! Make sure not to sweat the small stuff and enjoy the moment with your family and friends. This past year I provided Santa hats for the men and elf headbands for the ladies – such a fun little tacky Christmas moment to bring the level of fun up a notch.

Thank you, Ashley, for inviting us into your home and for these inspiring tips!

To learn more, please visit Ashley Hanley and follow @ashleybhanley on Instagram. You can also check out Ashley’s tips for Christmas gifting here, as she is one of The Glam Pad’s Tastemakers for our annual “Christmas with the Tastemakers” shopping guide.

And stay tuned, as tomorrow we will take you on an exclusive tour of Ashley’s beautiful home decked for the holidays. Merry, merry!