admin It is November, and we can officially start planning and talking about Christmas. However, this time of year can be stressful, because we need to attend a number of social events, hosting and gift giving.
But would you like to host this Christmas but don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen? This should not be the case. Planning is key to a stress free Christmas. Today, I am sharing some tips on how to stay organized if you are hosting Christmas lunch:
Before THE BIG day
1. Guests
Prepare your guest list well in advance and inform them accordingly. Make sure your guests are informed so that they won’t take up other invitations. In this manner you would know in advance how many adults and children and if they have any dietary requirements.
2. Menu Planning
Now that you know who is attending for your lunch/dinner, start planning the menu. Always take into consideration any dietary requirements. Use a meal planner to keep you on track and starting jotting down your shopping list as you go along.
3. Choosing the right recipe and test your recipes
No one wants to spend all day in the kitchen and definitely your guests want to spend some time with you, so choose recipes that are easy or can be prepared in advance. Don’t leave it to the last minute. Test out the recipes that you would like to make beforehand. This will give you enough time to adjust where needed. It is nice to greet your guests with an appetizer, whilst all the guests arrive.
Here are some ideas of easy and quick to make appetizer to serve with drinks:
- Grissini wrapped with Parma Ham;
- Parmeggiano crackers;
- Cheese platter.
All are easy to make and the only one that needs to be put in the oven is the Parmeggiano crackers. Whenever I make them, they are always a success, all you need to do is grate parmeggiano cheese in a cupcake tray and put in the oven until the cheese is melted. Leave them to rest and when completely cold remove and serve. It is best to make them on the day.
Make your slow cooker work even on Christmas Day. Soups come out delicious in the slow cooker as it makes it easy to blend. On Christmas Eve prepare your ingredients, and if you are going out on Christmas Eve, just before going to bed switch on the slow cooker on low (if you go to sleep at 100am, at 0900an on Christmas Day it will be ready) and on Christmas Day you will have a delicious soup for lunch.
4. Decorating the table
Choose a theme for your table set up, whether it is a color theme or a particular subject. Whatever you choose keep it simple….remember you have to set it up. Don’t put any large centre pieces, that could hinder conversations between the guests.
DAY BEFORE HOSTING
Set your table the day before with the exception of glassware. On the day you are hosting you want to concentrate of the food and the final touches here and there. Prepare whatever food you can today, whether it is chopping or desserts.
I like to prepare a time line of what needs to happen when on the day. I always host Christmas lunch at my house and we sit at the table at around 1300hrs. Therefore I work my time line backwards, for example I know that at around 1230hrs guests will start arriving, so I make sure that by that time appetizers are ready and plated.
As mentioned above, don’t forget to allow room for your guests to converse. You don’t want people to knock over any center pieces or candles. This year, instead of putting crackers, why don’t you consider putting a charm with the napkin rings which your guests can take home with them!
On the dAY
Have you timeline readily available and follow it. If you still need to prepare dessert, start from it as that normally takes longer. However, if you planned well beforehand, you should have your starter and desserts ready, so all you have to prepare are the main course, side dishes and appetizers.
Make sure to greet your guests and mingle with your guests. Don’t stay in one place, move around the table so that everyone gets some time to spend with the host.
Do consider hosting lunch earlier than the usual. There will always be someone who arrives late, so this will still allow your guests to start eating lunch at the decent time. Starting early also allows yours guests to enjoy themselves more with your company and to leave without being rude.
It is satisfying to see your guests drinking, eating and having fun but refrain from constantly having to serve drinks. You don’t want your guests to go home drunk.
Last but not least, place the person who can talk to anyone in the middle of the table. You will avoid those awkward silences.
After Lunch
It is always nice to get some help after a sumptuous lunch. There is nothing wrong with guests giving a helping hand to the host to clear the table. This makes cleaning up faster and allows you to enjoy after lunch. Watching a Christmas movie with your guests is fine however switch it off if your guests are being anti-social.
I hope that these tips have helped you when coming to plan your Christmas lunch or dinner. In upcoming blog posts will be sharing more of my favorite Christmas recipes…..so stay tuned.
[…] my last blog post, Tips to Plan your Christmas lunch/dinner like Pro, I mentioned that planning is key especially if you are hosting people. During the Christmas […]