It’s that time of year, when holiday entertaining is upon us. If you are anything like me, each year you vow to make this holiday season easier than the last. Whether you are entertaining a large family or a small intimate group, a holiday gathering is to be enjoyed by the hostess and guests. We all know to run the vacuum and dust (or if you’re lucky, hire someone to clean), but as the self-proclaimed tidy mom that I am, I’ve got a few tips for holiday entertaining that I’ve picked up over the years to get your home party ready.
Tips for holiday entertaining to help you prepare your home, and your meal so you can relax and enjoy your guests.
1. PLAN YOUR MENU WELL IN ADVANCE
- Go through traditional family recipes, cookbooks, your favorite food blogs, and Pinterest.
- Find some recipes that can be made ahead of time. It’s amazing what food you can actually make prior to the day-of! Many desserts, like my Chocolate Peppermint Brownie Cake, are just as good when made a few days before eating and so are foods like cranberry sauce and sweet potato casserole. So plan ahead and start food preparations early!
- If you decide on a potluck, make a list of what type of food (appetizers, desserts, side dish, salad, etc.) you’d like guests to bring and let them know once they accept the invitation.
- Have extra food on hand if you are having a pot luck. For example, I always have a super quick appetizer on hand and I’ll usually make a few extra desserts or snacks just in case. If we don’t need them, I can send them home with guests, or put them in the freezer for later. But, if we run low on food, I can quickly grab a tray of brownies, quick bread, cheese and crackers, or even something store-bought!
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