For seasoned hosts, Christmas is one of the most exciting times of the year. It’s an excuse to dust off the festive crockery, set the outdoor table and spend a few blissful hours in the kitchen in anticipation of guests rolling in. But if hosting isn’t your forte, all that might be a stress-inducing endeavour. 

 But festive entertaining doesn’t have to be. It can be as simple as serving pre-prepared meat with a few easy salads, putting together a simple fruit platter and offering single serve icecreams as a sweet treat to end. We’re taking our summer entertaining cues from the likes of Molly Baz and Alison Roman, whose unbothered approaches to alfresco entertaining are unfussy yet delicious. 

 Forget the fancy table settings. Instead, throw a bunch of oversized, mismatched cushions on an outdoor rug and let guests lounge as they sip spritzes on the grass. Camilla’s ornate versions are perfect for bringing some eclectic glamour to your backyard. 

Large Square Cushion. $299 from Camilla, Level 1 

 No one wants to be precious with servingware when eating outside. Avoid the potential for chips and cracks and instead opt for Country Road’s Natural Barossa salad bowl. Made from oak timber, it does double duty as a fruit bowl and platter for salads. 

Natural Barossa Salad Bowl, $179 from Country Road, Ground Level 

 Nothing says “I’m a foodie” (even if you’re not) like serving bespoke chilli salt alongside the food. Guests can season to their heart’s content, which means the pressure is off you to get the balance of salt and spice just right.  

Chilli Salt, $17.95 from Gewurzhaus, Ground Level 

Save on waste and swap paper napkins for reusable linen ones. Gorman’s Sweet Tomato ones are a fun nod to the fruit of the season, and couldn’t be easier to wash and reuse. 

Sweet Tomato Napkins, $22 for 4 from Gorman, Level 1 

 Forget topping up people’s glasses every few minutes. Instead, make a batched cocktail (or mocktail) and put it in a big dispenser for guests to serve themselves. A pre-made Aperol spritz, where guests just need to add ice and soda water, is always a crowd pleaser, as is a virgin Moscow mule — just mix ginger beer with lime juice, mint, ice and soda water for a refreshing summer sip.  

Kilner Round Storage Jar with Dispenser Tap, $74.95 from Victoria’s Basement, Lower Ground 1