With the holiday season upon us, it’s likely that you’ll be hosting your own festive get-together amidst the numerous other parties held by family and friends. Set your holiday bash apart from the rest by hosting a whimsical white party! Create a winter wonderland in your home with white linens, serving platters and decorative accessories. Read on for 10 white party essentials to get you started.

1 Serving tray
Greet guests when they arrive with a signature cocktail to ease them into the party. A sleek lacquered white tray from West Elm features two cutout handles at the side, perfect for serving festive holiday drinks. West Elm, from $64.
2 Linen napkins
Classic in colour and fabric, white linen napkins bring an air of elegance to any gathering. Opt for these over paper napkins at your white party – they can be washed and reused rather than just thrown away. Indigo Books & Music, $20 (set of four).
3 Tissue pompoms
One of the easiest ways to transform a space into a wintry white wonderland is with tissue paper pompoms. They’re simple, but create a lot of impact, so consider hanging in bunches over a dessert table or in the front foyer to dazzle guests when they enter. PomGoddess on Etsy, $30 (for 10).

4 Scalloped serving platter
White dishes are a must at any white party, but that doesn’t mean you can’t play around with shape. The fluid lines of this platter add character to a monochromatic colour scheme. Crate and Barrel, $39.
5 Ceramic vase
Stock up on a few white vases like these ceramics from West Elm and fill with your favourite white blooms – perhaps some amaryllis, perfect for the holiday season. For tips on arranging amaryllis, read our article on decorating with festive flowers. West Elm, from $11 each.

6 Pillar candles
Set the scene around the dining table or in the foyer with some flickering candles. Simple and long burning, these hand-poured white pillar candles will look great in a vignette of differing heights. Pottery Barn, from $4 each.
7 Urchin star ornament
Give your party’s food table some character with a few objets scattered between serving platters and dessert stands. These handmade white paper star urchins would also look fab as a cake topper or as part of a table centrepiece with white pinecones. KissaDesign on Etsy, $21.

8 Hydrangea wreath
No longer just an outdoor decor staple for the front door, winter wreaths are finding their way into home interiors, from doorways to focal points above the fireplace. This faux white hydrangea wreath is a stylish addition to any white party decorating scheme and would look fantastic draped over a mirror. It also has the option for a white satin ribbon if preferred. MonicaMurrayHome on Etsy, $84.

9 Simple tablecloth
Create a blank canvas for your white party dining or buffet table with a simple white tablecloth. This cotton tablecloth from Zara Home features a subtle jacquard embroidered pattern and is machine washable, so spills aren’t an issue at your festive holiday table. Zara Home, $119.
10 Cake stand
Whether you’re serving up a cake, pie or cupcakes, every dessert looks best when displayed on a classic white cake stand. We love the details on the stand shown here, with subtle scalloped edges and beautiful beading – perfect for a white frosted red velvet layer cake or mini snowball cupcakes. Pottery Barn, $58.