A Guide to Stress-Free Hosting This Christmas
Christmas is stressful enough, what with having to buy gifts and make sure that the house is clean and decorated ready to bring in the season, without having to worry about putting on the perfect Christmas get-together. But the thing is, you can seamlessly execute the best Christmas party without having to stress or worry too much. I've put together some of tips for hosting the perfect Christmas do that's totally stress-free.
Don't worry about preparing fancy food
You can put on a really nice spread without having to lift a finger. These days, everything can be bought pre-cooked and pre-prepared, so all you have to do is peel back the packaging and arrange the food out onto a plate. Sometimes, you might need to heat some of the food bits up, but it's nothing in comparison to cooking dishes from scratch.
It's also pretty much mess-free, so you don't have to worry about cleaning up either - perfect if you're in a hurry. You can get some really nice food that doesn't require much effort at all to lay on. A cheese board is always a good way to go, together with some tapas and finger food, like mozzarella sticks, mini pizzas and spring rolls, for example.
Always be prepared for any unexpected guests
It doesn't take much at Christmas for you to always be prepared for unexpected arrivals. We always keep a box of mince pies and some stollen slices in the cupboard ready for anyone who might pop round who would like a festive snack to go with their cup of tea or coffee. It's spreading the Christmas spirit without breaking the bank but, at the same time, showing that you've put some thought into things.
Make the table a happy, festive place to sit around
If your party revolves around the table, like having food laid out there or if you're hoping to spend the night at the dining room table, then make it somewhere that people would like to be. I buy table covers every year and either a poinsettia or a Yankee Candle as a centrepiece. I also add fairy lights and have some festive music playing. Make the table somewhere people actually want to sit at and the night will go smoothly.
Don't let guests leave without giving them some leftovers
When you've put on a full table of food, it's very difficult for your household to consume all of the leftovers after the event, so give them away. From blocks of cheese and crackers to boxes of spring rolls and hunks of Christmas ham, give away what you won't use or get through to prevent waste.
As well as ensuring you don't waste any food, it will also save you time later in the evening, or even the next day, as you'll have less to box up and, therefore, clean up. It will also save room in your fridge, so all in all, it's a win-win for everyone.
Always have vanilla ice cream in the freezer
Vanilla ice cream goes with pretty much every pudding you have in your fridge or freezer. But even if you don't pair it with anything, vanilla ice cream is delicious on its own. It gives everyone a choice and also helps to lighten up a dessert if it's something heavy, like a chocolate yule log, for example, which can be notoriously rich!
Focus on the entertainment
Instead of worrying about feeding everyone and making sure people have a drink at all times, focus on the entertainment side of things instead. Buy some board games or see if there's something electronic and interactive that your guests can get involved with. What about a good ol' game of charades or Scrabble? Often, it's the simple things that can make our friends and family happy. If your guests want a drink or something to nibble on, they'll likely let you know anyway.
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I hope you enjoyed this blog post? Let me know in the comments whether you'll be hosting a Christmas get-together this year and I'll see you again very soon with a brand new blog post :)
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