While the thought is scary, some of us may have gotten stuck at the last minute with hosting this year’s family holiday dinner/party.
You might even still be recovering from Thanksgiving, if you got stuck with that, too. Oy.
But don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to make the dinner run a little smoother than it has been in your nightmares dreams.
Clean up the house.
This is important, no matter what! Even if only your closest family and friends are coming over, you’ll want to make sure they feel comfortable in your house. Give everything a good dust and vacuum. And don't forget to spot-clean any areas that are going to be highly visible during your party (counter tops, windows, etc.).
Make sure your coat closet is neat and organize, as well as your refrigerator. You’ll want to make sure there’s room for any desserts that need to be kept in there before they’re eaten, and no one wants to hear Aunt Louise's comments on the hot sauce you spilled last week.
Make your home smell like the holidays.
This is sure to impress the pickiest of relatives, and there’s nothing like a good smell to set the mood for the evening.
Creating a stove-top potpourri is the perfect way to keep the home smelling festive all day long, and it involves very little maintenance. Use whatever you have on hand—cinnamon, cranberries, and a few snippets from your Christmas tree work perfectly. Throw them in a pot of water and let it simmer all day. Just be sure to add more water when it gets low!
Here’s a great recipe and guide to get you started.
Have everyone bring a side dish or dessert.
It’s not rude! Just ask that everyone attending brings their favorite dish. All you have to take care of is preparing the turkey/ham and providing drinks. This will greatly cut down on the time you’ll need to spend in the kitchen. You can also use that time to prepare an amazing protein dish.
Take care in marinating the star of the dinner, whip up a gourmet butter, and maybe prepare some fresh rolls to pair with that butter. You’ll have time for all of this now!
Keep food bags/containers on hand.
This is a great way to avoid getting stuck with leftovers for the rest of your life, and to treat your guests! After everyone’s eaten, be sure to fill up some baggies and containers to send them home with.
Tie the containers together with some twine and slip a candy cane into the knot to add some festivity to the package.
