January is made for slowing down. The holidays are behind us, the calendar is still wide open, and all we really want is a warm table and good conversation. Enter one of my favorite winter gatherings: a fondue night.
Fondue feels special without being fussy. It invites everyone to linger, dip, laugh, and stay a little longer. And the best part? This entire spread came together in under 20 minutes, cost less than $30, and didn’t require a fancy grocery run.
Why Fondue Is the Perfect January Gather
After the hustle of December, January entertaining should feel easy. Fondue checks every box:
- Minimal prep
- Interactive and fun
- Cozy without being heavy
- Perfect for small gatherings or last-minute plans
It’s the kind of meal that lets the table do the talking—and your linens shine.
The Simple Fondue Menu
This trio of fondues creates the perfect balance of savory and sweet. You can serve them all at once or start with cheese and end with dessert.
Easy Cheese Fondue
- 4 cups shredded cheese (We used Gruyere and Swiss)
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juide
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
In large saucepan, bring wine, garlic and lemon juice to a simmer over medium low heat.
Toss cheese with cornstarch and then add cheese (gradually), stirring to ensure a smooth fondue.
Once smooth, stir in mustard.
Serve in fondue pot with bite size dipping foods - we used toasted french bread, cherry tomatoes, sausage, and pretzels.
Easy Sweet Fondue (we made both!)
- 1 bag of dark chocolate or butterscotch chips
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- Splash of vanilla or almond extract
In a microwave safe container, mix the two ingredients. Microwave at 30 second increments, stirring often, until melted. Add extract.
Serve in fondue pot with bite size dipping foods - we used waffle chips, strawberries, cherries, and sweet wafers.
A Cozy Table, Made Simple
A fondue night doesn’t need a formal table to feel special. A few thoughtful details go a long way:
- A crisp tablecloth
- Cloth napkins simply folded
- Try a sprig of rosemary tucked inside each napkin
- Candlelight to set the mood
That’s it. No elaborate centerpieces or complicated place settings required.
The Real Secret Ingredient
The best part of this kind of gathering isn’t the cheese or the chocolate - it’s the way fondue brings people together. Everyone slows down. Everyone participates. Conversations stretch longer than planned. And that’s a pretty perfect way to begin the year!
So light a candle, set the table, and dip into the new year. Warm, connected, and well-fed.
cornflower blue cabana stripe tablecloth | linked-up scarlet red dinner napkin | nouveau orchid pink dinner napkin | bargello grass green dinner napkin | latticework ocean blue dinner napkin
