It’s almost the most wonderful time of the year. That means it’s time to start preparing for all of the fun holiday activities that happen during this time. From family parties to work parties to get togethers with your friends this season is packed with so many activities.
First and foremost, a successful dinner party needs a relaxed and welcoming hostess. Settle on a menu, taking into account any special dietary needs, and don’t be afraid to ask friends for ideas. If you are enjoying yourself, your guests will be too.
Here are the things you need to do before hosting a Christmas dinner
- Figure out a menu
If you’re throwing a Christmas dinner this is the most important aspect of the party. You’re going to want to plan the menu before anything else. Decide what kind of dinner you’re going to have, whether it’s a simple meal with some appetizers and dessert or something more extravagant. Plus figuring out a menu ahead of time will also give you a chance to try recipes out before the party even happens. Have you never made creme brulee but really want to serve it at your party? Try making it well before your party, you don’t want to play guessing game in the kitchen while your guests are sitting outside waiting for their meal. It also gives you the ability to plan a menu around people with potential allergies. This way no one accidentally eats nuts when they shouldn’t have.
- Prepare ahead
There are many things you can make in advance and freeze until the big day. Cranberry sauce, stuffing and bread sauce all freeze like a dream – just take them out a day or two before Christmas. Pick up your turkey on the same day, ready to stuff on the morning of Christmas Eve.
- Stock up
Make sure you have plenty of food, without overdoing it. Boxing Day is meant for leftovers after all, but we wouldn’t want anything going to waste. Extra salad, potatoes and cheese are a good start.
- Start Decorating Early
Nothing sounds worse than spending the hours leading up to your party frantically putting up decorations and cleaning your guest bathroom. You don’t need to set everything out like fresh flowers or the plate settings days in advance but everything out you can do the week of. If you want a tree up and decorated do that a few days before the party so that way it can be an enjoyable experience. Or if you have a specific playlist in mind to play at the party set that up in advance. Even plan your outfit early, try it on and find something you love instead of scrambling the day of.
- Prepare utensils before dinner
If you don’t have enough silverware for all your guests, don’t worry. Make a feature out of mixing and matching what you have – you can bring the look together with coloured napkins.
- Keep things simple
You don’t want to be slaving away over the cooker. Once the turkey is in and you’ve defrosted your pre-prepared foods, all you have to do is bring the meal together. Co-ordination is the key; schedule everything beforehand.
- Give Yourself Time
The day of the Christmas dinner can be hectic, which is why it’s important to give yourself plenty of time to get everything done. You don’t want to be chained to the kitchen while your guests are having a good time because you didn’t give yourself enough time to cook everything. Christmas dinner can be complicated because the usual food eaten for this holiday takes a decent amount of time to prepare and if you put it off to the last minute you could even run the risk of it not being prepared at all. The day of the party your focus should be on cooking and getting ready yourself. Make sure you give yourself enough time to do those things.
Christmas Day!
You have planned, prepared, bought and set up everything you need. You have more than enough drinks, your side dishes are ready to go, your meat is in the oven, and your guests are having a ball. Pour a glass of red, and watch the compliments roll in. This year, you’ve owned Christmas. Enjoy yourself!
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