Stress-Less Holiday Entertaining
Tis the season for holiday parties and get-togethers, while these events can be a lot of fun, they can also create a lot of stress! Here are some tips to consider when planning your next holiday get-together:
1. Plan Ahead
The difference between a relaxed host and a stressed-out host is PLANNING! So grab a paper and pen and start writing down everything: the date, the guest list, the menu, decor ideas, serving pieces needed, and other items needed for games/activities.
2. Keep it Simple
After you have written everything down, cross off the list of anything that might take too much time, energy, or money. Remember it’s YOUR party, so keep it easy so YOU will have fun.
3. Make familiar recipes
If you are cooking for the party, choose to serve dishes that you have made many times before. Never let your guests be “guinea pigs” for your latest Pinterest recipe…you never know what may happen, so always go with what you know!
4. Prepare Make-Ahead Dishes
Remember the more you can do ahead of time, the better…so seek out great recipes that can be made well in advance, then re-heated before serving. This will make your party run so much smoother because you won’t be stuck in the kitchen the entire time!
5. Serve “assembled” food
Some of the easiest menus include large beautiful platters that have been arranged with lots of no-cook items like crackers, cheese, and fruit platters; or vegetables and dip; or a lovely antipasti platter with deli meats and cheeses and olives. I love making beautiful dessert trays with an assortment of sweets purchased from the store or made ahead of time.
6. Prep ingredients ahead of time
If you do have to cook something right before serving it, at least have all the “prep” work done before you start cooking. Sometimes it’s all the chopping and dicing that takes the longest, so have everything ready to go and cooking will be a breeze!
7. Plan a pot-luck gathering
Some of the easiest (and most fun) parties are when you share the work with a few friends. Why not throw a tapas-style party, where everyone brings their favorite appetizer? Or host a “chili cook-off” with friends bringing their favorite chili recipe. If you are hosting the holiday meal, you could fix the main dish (turkey, ham, or beef) and everyone could bring a side dish.
8. Create a timeline
Make a simple timeline of everything that needs to be accomplished before the party- things like cleaning the house, defrosting the meat, putting the casserole in the oven, even taking a shower. You may even start your timeline a day or two before the event depending on everything you have to do.
9. Set the Table
Whenever possible, set your dining table or buffet table the night before, this will eliminate last-minute dashes to the store for extra napkins, silverware, or serving dishes.
10. Enlist Help
The most fun gatherings I have had is when I have enlisted helpers- create workstations in your kitchen and give friends and family members certain tasks/recipes to complete. Don’t you love to help out in the kitchen at a friend’s houses?!
Good luck with your holiday gatherings and remember to keep it simple. CLICK HERE to check out my new holiday planner to help make this year’s season more stress-less!
