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November 12, 2026
High Holiday Checklist: 5 Musts for Hosting This Year
November 12, 2026
High Holiday Checklist: 5 Musts for Hosting This Year
Table of Contents
Heads up, party people! The holiday season is nearly here. From Danksgiving to Christmas to New Year's and every festive get-together in between—if you’re planning to be the host(ess) with the mostest, you’ll need to add a few special preparations to your list.
Why? Because, increasingly, it's not just holiday cocktails and Christmas cookies that are on everyone’s list- it’s cannabis-infused mocktails, buzz-worthy menus, and THC treats.
So whether you’re hosting friends, family, or both, here’s your guide to a holiday celebration everyone will be toasting long after the last cookie is gobbled up.
Your 5-Step (High) Holiday Hosting Checklist
For cannabis lovers, hosting an extra-special holiday party is about creating a buzz. But where do you start? For your next big holiday bash, here are a few additional touches to consider.
1. Set the Scene
Ditch the overhead lighting
Nobody feels (or looks) good under the harsh, cold glare of an overhead light. Use warm light sources scattered around the house to create a cozier vibe. Lamps, twinkling holiday lights, and candles will immediately help make your space feel more inviting.
Hit play on a seasonal playlist
Find a Spotify playlist to set a merry mood as soon as your guests arrive. Whether it's your Christmas family dinner or a girls-only gift swap, there are plenty of options to fit every taste.
Try tried-and-true classic oldies, a very merry ‘90s hip-hop playlist, or one designed entirely around Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” chart-topper.
Get festive with your decor
Although we all wish we had time to transform our homes like Martha Stewart, realistically you only need a few festive elements to capture the holiday spirit. Try a handful of cute decorative gourds tucked around your dining room or an evergreen garland by the entry.
A simmering pot of cinnamon and orange on the stove works for just about any winter holiday, and so do warm white strings of lights that take you from early December into New Year's.
2. Plan a Menu Worth Giving Thanks For
Prep the infused menu ahead of time
It's true what they say: good food is the centerpiece of any gathering. Just remember that most infused dishes take some planning if made at home.
Do yourself a favor and prep these Danksgiving recipes a day in advance. That way, you'll have a spread of everything from Cannabis Cranberry Sauce to Baked Brie to please your guests.
If you run out of time, you can always drizzle some THC Syrup over your plate (who doesn't love a good glazed ham?) or mix in a packet of THC Powder to turn any beverage into a mocktail—easy, elevated upgrades you can do right before serving.
Pair holiday flavors with terpenes
If you’re serving flower or pre-rolls to the adults in the room, match the strain's aromas to the menu.
Piney profiles go well with rosemary and sage stuffing. Bright citrus notes complement cranberry sauce and sugar cookies. You’ve got endless room to play with in the aromatic realm.
Serve regular snacks alongside the infused treats
Edibles can hit hard, especially in a social setting. Make sure you put out plenty of non-infused appetizers and snacks alongside any infused options, so when the munchies hit, no one is snacking on edibles alone.
3. Don't Forget the Drinks
Offer plenty of alcohol alternatives
Holiday celebrations used to be an alcohol-drenched affair. But these days, fewer folks are drinking alcoholic beverages with an ABV. Plus, with everyone and their grandma falling in love with cannabis, nobody has to wake up the next day with a hangover. So, even if you’re stocking up on bubbly and beers, a cooler filled with mocktails and THC-infused drinks might be the one people are reaching for.
Stock a self-serve beverage station
Fill it with seasonal mocktails, sparkling water, cider, and other zero-proof options so guests can help themselves and the refreshments keep flowing.
And stocking up on social elixirs has never been more affordable with our variety packs of Sparkling THC Lemonade. Choose from 25mg or 5mg per can—this is the infused party pack you’ve been waiting for.
Encourage your guests to pick a lane
Gently remind guests to choose either THC drinks or alcohol, not both.
Many people have discovered the hard way that layering THC on top of alcoholic beverages can end up compounding the intoxicating effects. And nobody wants their evening to spiral into something uncomfortable.
4. Prepare the Post-Feast Activities
Line up perfectly seasonal movies
Have a holiday movie lineup ready before guests even arrive so nobody spends 30 minutes scrolling through the Netflix menu.
Keep it light-hearted with Planes, Trains and Automobiles or Home for the Holidays. And for more of a Christmas affair, queue up Elf or National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
Bring out the board games!
Have a few easy-to-learn, quick-to-play games ready, like Cards Against Humanity or Uno.
Keep it simple and keep it short, because nobody wants to be trapped in a three-hour post-meal game of Monopoly.
Set up a late-night snack station
No matter how full stomachs are, you’d be surprised how quickly people will return to the snack tray- whether or not they have the munchies. This time around, keep this station completely free of infused foods and stick with the fan favorites: something savory, something sweet, and plenty of holiday treats.
Create a cozy conversation zone
When someone has quietly undone the top button of their pants, it’s a sure sign they need to sink into a big, comfy couch. Add extra throw pillows and bring out a few blankets so everyone can unwind after dinner and enjoy each other’s company.
5. Be a Responsible Host
Label everything and keep THC out of reach
Anything with THC is strictly adults-only, and as host, it’s your job to keep everyone safe. Keep all edibles, drinks, and other THC products out of sight and out of reach of minors and pets.
Even if no minors are on the guest list, put a clear label on every infused dish and drink showing what’s in it and roughly how much THC is in a serving, so guests always know what they’re reaching for.
Keep an eye on your guests
Everyone’s tolerance is different, so remind guests to pace themselves and enjoy the evening at their own speed. Encourage everyone to start with a small amount, like a quarter of a gummy, and give it time before trying more, especially with edibles.
If someone has had a little more than they meant to, offer them a quiet, low-lit room with water, snacks, and a holiday movie where they can relax and come back down to earth.
Impaired? Don’t let them drive home
You’d never let a friend drink and drive, and the same rule applies to THC. It’s psychoactive, so anyone who has visited the infused snack table should not get behind the wheel. Step up and help everyone get home safely with a sober driver, taxi, or rideshare.
Give Thanks, Get Cozy, and Enjoy the Gathering
No matter what holidays are on your seasonal calendar this year, if you’re hosting, a little planning goes a long way. Set the scene, fill the table, and don’t forget to take a moment to enjoy it yourself.
Ready to start planning? Stock up on the party essentials from Hometown Hero, and Until next time, Mind Your Mind.
