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Will you be entertaining guests over the holidays this year?
If you are like me, then you definitely love hosting social gatherings… especially around Christmas time. They don’t say “it’s the most wonderful time of the year” for no reason 😉 Everyone is happy, the cocktails have you feeling merry and bright and the house smells amazing from the lovely turkey dinner roasting away in the oven. But the best part of all is that we get to spend quality time with the friends and family that mean the most to us!
Hosting the people that you love can be intimidating because there are so many moving parts associated with creating a fabulous get together. I am here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be difficult!
Let me help you Make Holiday Entertaining Easy with these 6 Tips! ↓
Set the vibe with Holiday Decorations
Decorating the house for Christmas is a must when hosting a gathering over the holidays… because let’s be real, your guests will be expecting to see festive, holiday decorations.
A nicely decorated space will set the tone for the entire evening and create a lovely first impression! Consider placing scented candles and soft twinkling lights around the house to create a cozy vibe for your guests to feel comfortable.
Set the table before guests arrive
Preparation is key when hosting a holiday gathering. Make sure to give yourself enough time to plan, prepare and execute your vision so you can host the most unforgettable party! Allowing yourself enough time will alleviate any unwanted stress so you can enjoy yourself and have fun with your guests.
I always recommend having the table set ahead of time before your guests arrive. This sets the tone for the amazing meal that everyone is looking forward to! It also looks professional and won’t take you away from socializing with your guests.
Prepare Low Maintenance Cocktails
Keep things simple with low maintenance cocktails for everyone to enjoy! There is no need to get too extravagant and fancy with the drinks as this will take you away from spending quality time with everyone at the party.
Consider having an assortment of wines, bubbly or even large format cocktails for your guests to choose from. Winter sangria, moscow mules and mulled wine are all great options!
Balance out the Cooking Responsibilities
Plan the meal ahead of time and balance out the cooking responsibilities by allowing other family members to contribute to the meal. Items like salads, mashed potatoes and desserts are great dishes for family to bring to Christmas! Make sure to take note of how many guests will be attending, as you want to make sure there is plenty of food!
This will save you so much time and also free up some space in the oven so that the Turkey and whatever else you may be cooking can have enough space to cook evenly in a timely manner.
Create a Playlist Ahead of Time
Music never fails to set the vibe for an unforgettable evening at any gathering! It will lighten the mood so that your guests can let loose and have fun.
Create a playlist or assortment of playlists ahead of time so that you won’t have to fuss with the music all evening. This makes things so much easier!
Set up a Holiday Inspired Coffee Bar
After a delicious dinner and yummy desserts, your guests will most likely want a comforting cup of coffee to help settle the meal.
Consider setting out a holiday inspired coffee bar for your guests to help themselves to if they like. Not only does it look festive, but it gives your guests options and they can enjoy it as they please. You can include beverages such as coffee, decaf coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Baileys, peppermint schnapps, sweetener, eggnog, candy canes or holiday treats are also nice touches to include in your holiday coffee bar.
I hope you found these tips helpful so you can host your own stress-free gathering this Christmas!
Feel free to check out some of my other posts to help inspire you this holiday season:
My Top 4 Tips To Help You Entertain Like A Pro
5 festive Christmas Decorating Colour Schemes
The Best Homemade Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Delicious Holiday Eggnog Latte
Thanks for reading along! Keep an eye out, I have a ton of yummy recipes coming your way this month… including the tasty holiday salad I have pictured above 🙂
Your Girl,
A
