Simplify, simplify, simplify
When it comes to holiday hosting, it’s easy to get so caught up in the excitement and spirit of this wonderfully social season that you find yourself spread a little thin. With a little planning, a little inspiration and a little help from your guests, you can create an impressive and memorable holiday get-together. The key is to simplify and, on that note, here are some helpful tips.
Get the store to help
Everything on the table doesn’t need to be made from scratch. Why not purchase a few dishes from the store? There are a lot of gourmet frozen appetizers you can heat up and serve before dinner, from mini quiches to crab pastry puffs. Baked items, like breads and desserts, are also great things to pick up pre-made. Just unbox and plate the store items before the guests arrive and no-one will be any the wiser.
Make what you can in advance
It’s easier to thaw premade dishes than it is to peel, slice, cook and mash everything, on the day of. Anything that can be prepared in advance, like chopping a few heads of broccoli or peeling the carrots. You can even set the table in advance to take that off your dinner-day to-do list.
Make fewer sides
No one will be expecting a spread of six wonderful sides. Cut a few out to save time and energy. A vegetable or root dish and a potato dish are fine as sides to a turkey or roast.
Give your guests a chance to shine
Invite guests to bring their favourite side dishes, desserts, bottles of wine, centerpieces, candles or other holiday traditions. The more you include people in the planning, organization and execution, the easier, and more enjoyable, your role as host will be.