HOW TO WIN AT CHRISTMAS

Tell us your secrets for surviving a work Christmas party

For many people, the most terrifying aspect of a Christmas party is the dancefloor, and trying not to look like your dad while you’re on it. In the book, you’ll find a full set of moves from John Graham, a hip-hop specialist who has worked with the likes of Beyoncé, Rihanna and Justin Bieber. But he also offers two general pointers that will improve anybody’s moves. One, keep your arms loose, keep them moving, and occasionally snap your fingers to the beat. If you keep them clamped to your sides it not only looks nervous but inhibits movement. Two, smile – because confidence is everything.

What is your festive party piece?

In the old days, there was a fashion for opening champagne with a sword. Today, you can do the same with a kitchen knife – and it looks almost as impressive. Firstly, get a chilled bottle of champagne and remove the foil and wire cage around the cork. Find the vertical seam where the glass joins. Expose a strip in the neck foil so you can see the full line. Put your thumb in the base of the bottle, and cradle it at 45 degrees with your fingers. Ensure there’s nobody in the line of fire. Position the blunt edge of a kitchen knife a few inches from the base of the bottle. Hold the blade flat against the seam. Run the blade up the seam. The impact of the metal against the lip of the bottle will cause the cork and the glass around it to fly off. Try at your own risk!

What grooming tips would you advise for the festive season?

I recommend giving yourself a decent wet shave. There are two advanced cartridge razor techniques that you’ll find especially useful for this – although more are detailed in the book. The first is the ‘J-hook’, which is great for areas of grain variation. This involves holding the end of the razor’s handle lightly by your fingertips and moving the blade in small ‘J’ motions (though where grain dictates, you can shift the J-hook on its side). If you still have stubble patches, try another advanced stroke: ‘blade buffing’. This is where you scrub the razor rapidly back and forth, using short, light movements.

Do you have any tips for capturing the precious festive memories?

From interviewing the photographer Lauren Bath, I learned a crucial tip for taking pictures of people: it’s all about the eyes. She makes the eyes of her subjects the focal point of the image, and emphasises them more by blurring out the background. A camera phone can do this digitally; a traditional camera requires the lens being set to a low “f-stop” for a wide aperture.

What accessories make up a signature look?

I would try to find a way of giving your signature look an elegant twist – and once you’ve found something that works, why not make it your ‘thing’? Just make sure it’s fits your character and your vibe. For instance, Keith Richards has his skull ring, Bob Dylan has his sunglasses, Angelo Galasso wears his watch on his shirt cuff. But you could go for something a little more sober – an elegant pocket square, perhaps, a leather cardholder or some beautifully framed sunglasses.

What are your top tips for entertaining at Christmas?

Formal dinner parties are back. Invite guests either by phone or printed card at least three weeks before the event. Always do a placement dinner: stick to the traditional boy-girl-boy-girl template, but mix up couples or close friends with new people. As for drinks with the meal, have a bottle of red wine and a bottle of white wine per guest on standby. You won’t get through all that, obviously, but it does ensure that you won’t run out. If you’re stuck for what music to put on, here’s a simple principle: imagine you’re in a restaurant. That may well mean you decide not to play anything. After all, how often has your experience of eating out actually been improved by the music?

What would you like to find under the tree this year?

Christmas is a time for kicking back, and I’d love a pair of sweatpants that are comfortable but also look stylish: the Kooples Sport Zipper Sweatpants would be perfect. I’m also going to put a Riedel Curly Wine Decanter, keep the winter chill out in the Chateau Jacket from Canada Goose and add a pair of Alexander McQueen Oversized Runway Trainers on there and hope for the best.

What is your go-to gift?

People appreciate nice glassware – it’s a present that feels special and that they’ll get use from, but it needn’t break the bank. I like the LSA Glassware Prosecco Set. If you’re after a fragrance for a man, then you can’t go wrong with Creed (try ‘Viking’) or a sprightly Tom Ford (go for Neroli Portofino).

GQ How to Win at Life: The Expert Guide to Excelling at Everything You Do is now available online and in The Marvel Room on Level 1 of our Dublin Store.

Pick up some more tips on entertaining from our Head Chef in residence Johnnie Cooke as he teaches us HOW TO BE THE PERFECT HOST…