Ah, Christmas… season of parties, parties and more parties – with legions of exhausted hosts across the UK. As anyone who regularly throws a good do will know, there’s a lot more to a successful get-together than shedloads of Prosecco and a batch of Jamie Oliver’s chilli. You have to consider the table decorations, the music, the guest list, the drinks… as well as the big pre-dinner tidy. And that’s before you even get to thinking about what’s on the menu.
It’s fair to assume that Sir Elton John and his husband and manager, David Furnish, don’t have to worry about scrubbing the kitchen floor before their guests arrive. And, as Sir Elton reveals, their table decoration advice comes from slightly loftier sources than Pinterest. But, as consummate hosts, they do know a thing or two about throwing a memorable bash. So with Christmas knocking at the door, we asked for the couple’s best hosting tips, stories and must-dos to make your festive get-together as joyful and triumphant as possible.
So, Sir Elton, planning a do can be a challenge – particularly at Christmas, when most people are time-pressed. Any advice for making sure you get everything done in time?
Well, our annual Oscars party [the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party] in LA takes nearly a year to organise – we start planning the following year almost as soon as the last guest leaves. But some of the best dinner parties I’ve been to have been more spontaneous. I met my husband, David, at an impromptu dinner party I hosted! So there are no hard-and-fast rules.
You’ve thrown so many parties. What’s been your biggest hosting win?
There have been lots! In the summer, David and I hosted a dinner at [west London restaurant] The River Café to celebrate the launch of our Elton John Zero Blanc de Blancs and we had such a fantastic turnout of guests – my old friends like Jake Shears, Clara Amfo and Ruthie Rogers [chef and owner of The River Café, of course, and people I’d been dying to meet for a long time, like Jessie Ware. It was a really warm summer evening and it was just such a great collection of people. The food Ruthie prepared was stunning, as you’d expect.
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What does your tablescape look like – and what extras should hosts be thinking about?
My dear friend Gianni Versace taught us about the importance of table settings – he had incredible attention to detail and practically changed tablecloths for every course. I’m also obsessed with glassware. I have quite a collection, and keeping Elton John Zero around the house has given me and David an opportunity to bring it all out whenever we’re raising a glass. Flowers, like tablecloths, are another great way to reflect your personality. When guests feel the essence of their host, it just lifts everything.
Throwing a dinner party with your partner can be a challenge if you have a difference of opinion on the mood you want to create, or the food and drinks you want to serve. Do you and David tend to agree on these things?
We have similar tastes, so we do agree on menus. When it comes to the drinks, we’re both teetotal but love entertaining, so Elton John Zero has introduced something into our lives that feels fitting for toasting any big moments and accompanying those special meals. Flavoured waters and non-alcoholic beers just don’t cut it.
What does successful hosting mean for you?
Ensuring all my guests are having a good time, engaged in conversation and present with what’s going on in the room. And great food, drink and music. I also have great memories of several dinners with artists and musicians where, quite unexpectedly, new music has been shared by the host – so I’ve been lucky enough to get a preview of something that hasn’t been released yet. It really is an honour to be able to hear something new and unexpected in a memorable dinner-party setting.
What mix of guests makes for an unforgettable night?
Our dining room fits between 12 and 16 people, and it’s essential to get the blend of guests right. You want people who don’t know each other and people who do; people who are witty; people who are raconteurs; and some who are a little bit shy. When people seated next to each other really get on, that’s the alchemy and the magic. We’re lucky enough to have so many wonderful people in our lives already, but it’s ultimately a great way of meeting new people you admire.
Who’s in charge of the playlist and what type of music is on it?
Of course it’s me! I listen to new music every single day for my Apple Music Rocket Hour radio show, so I always have it in my life and I want to play it to my friends and see their reaction. New music inspires me – it keeps me energised and feeling young.
What games do you play after dinner?
I love charades. I once invited Bob Dylan to dinner with Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, and afterwards we played charades. I love Bob, but he just couldn’t get the hang of it at all. It was so funny – he’s one of the greatest lyricists of all time, but he couldn’t get his head around it. It was hilarious.
We have a case of Elton John Zero to give away to one lucky GH VIP member - visit ghmembers.co.uk for your chance to win*!
*18+, competition closes at 11:59PM on 2 December 2026; T&Cs apply
