Is Cannabis Becoming A Staple Of Thoughtful Holiday Hosting?

December always comes with a little extra sparkle—and this year, small, cozy gatherings are stealing the spotlight. Micro-hosting is trending for good reason: get-togethers like low-key dinners, craft nights and casual games with just a few friends dial down the pressure for hosts and allow them to focus on meaningful moments.

And as Canadians rethink how they relax, hosting is changing too. Cannabis consumption is becoming more mainstream, as a modern way to responsibly unwind and have fun among friends. According to a new national survey conducted by Abacus Data for Organigram, 47 per cent of adults have replaced some of their alcohol consumption in favour of cannabis.

With more Canadians feeling comfortable around cannabis in social settings, today’s hosts are thinking beyond wine and cocktails and offering guests a broader menu of ways to relax. If you’re ready to keep things simple, cozy and connection-forward this season, here’s how to host a small gathering that feels festive—and thoughtfully includes modern offerings like cannabis beverages and edibles.

Set the scene with a theme

Start by deciding on the guest list and consider your space—crowded is not the vibe here. Having four friends over is still festive in name and spirit! Themed social gatherings are having a moment all over social media, whether you’re into something active, such as holiday-themed games, or something more chill, like PJs, cheesy rom-coms and bevvies. A theme helps make a small get-together feel cohesive and special. Touches like festive decor, putting on a holiday playlist or using a wintery fragrance to scent the space will make guests feel appreciated and relaxed.

Food should be fun

First of all, if you’re the type of person who loves to plan and execute a menu, your guests are lucky to have you. If you want to lighten the load, however, a potluck is simple. Again, try a theme—around-the-world bites, favourite snacks, or red, white and green charcuterie boards—and guests will be happy to accommodate. And if gummies made with cannabis hit the table, don’t worry. Poll results found that 58 per cent of Canadians say they are comfortable or very comfortable being around other adults who use cannabis in social settings, even if they themselves do not consume.

Think: drinks, mocktails and more

The fact that "mocktail" is a word in the dictionary proves its well-deserved rise in popularity. Many people are trying such non-alcoholic options as mocktails and matcha-based drinks, and consumable cannabis beverages are increasingly part of this modern mix. In fact, this shift in preferences is reflected in recent trends: according to Abacus, nearly half of all recent cannabis users say they have replaced some of their alcohol consumption with cannabis use in the last six months. Of all adults surveyed, 1 in 3 reported using cannabis in the past six months and about the same proportion (32 per cent) reported using it in the last two weeks. These stats show how common cannabis consumption is becoming, and when entertaining, it can be a thoughtful touch to consider the diverging tastes of your guests.

Try the early start—and end

Another trend in general fun-having this year is the early-ending occasion or the daytime shindig. Taglines promise a good time that’ll have you home in bed by 10 p.m., so why not bring that energy to your own holiday fete? Setting an early end-time gives everyone permission to celebrate and still get a solid night’s sleep. And although brunch is always welcome, there’s also those sometimes hard-to-fill hours on a wintery weekend afternoon before dinner too.

Overall, when it comes to hosting a mini gathering, consider this our guide to taking it easy. Plan a simple theme, curate the mood, set out a variety of snacks and drinks, and relax. You earned it.

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