2 min readHosting on an ordinary night can be stressful, but holiday hosting takes it to another level. Between curating the perfect themes, taking time to honor every tradition, and packing the schedule full of activities, it’s easy to muddle your aesthetic amid all that prescribed cheer.
Luckily, there are easy fixes. Actor, filmmaker, and trendsetter Stanley Tucci recently sat down with House Beautiful to share his top tips for hosting with style. His holiday hot take? One traditional holiday hue should play a supporting role, not take center stage.
“I love autumnal colors, so I do that, obviously, a lot. We'll do that for Thanksgiving, then Christmas will be more white and green, with some red, but not too much,” says Tucci.
An arbitrator of taste on and off-screen, Tucci believes the only place red hues should take on the holiday table is in their natural habitat, perched on a branch.
“Berries on branches. That's all the red you need,” he says.
Tucci describes his hosting style as classic, simple, and timeless. From the menu to the tablecloth, he steers clear of flashy, overdone clichés—which is reason enough for you to ignore the trend cycle this holiday season (looking at you, Ralph Lauren Christmas), and decorate with what you already own and love.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of Tucci’s partnership with S.Pellegrino, which began with an annual limited-edition bottle featuring his engraved signature. The line has since expanded to include “Dinner Dialogues,” with conversation starters on each label. The 2026 collection continues the concept, with designs inspired by Tucci’s minimalist, curated style. It features three bespoke labels—and the actor admits he has a favorite.
“‘What memory makes you smile?’ I love this one,” Tucci says.
With a little help from Tucci, your table’s style—and the conversation around it—will be elevated and effortless.
