Hassle-free Hosting this Christmas
For some, hosting Christmas will be just like any other day – cooking a Sunday Roast with a side of pigs in blankets and adding honey to the carrots and parsnips. But for others, this year will be the first time they’ve been passed the hosting baton, and we bet if this is you, you’ve got a list of some kind with your food shopping on one side and what you need to decorate your home on the other. Are we right?
If this is you and you’re feeling stressed over what you need to cook and what you need to do to make your home look festive enough, we’re here to tell you that everything is going to be okay… and stressed spelt backwards is dessert – so calm yourselves and eat some cake. Feeling better? Now, here are our easy tips on a hassle-free hosting…
1 - If you’re an online shopper, make sure to plan ahead and book a delivery slot as soon as you can. We’re not about queuing in Sainsbury’s car park on Christmas Eve for over an hour waiting for a spot to pick up the Bailey’s that we forgot to add to the cart.
2 - Before the big shop arrives have a HUGE clear out of the fridge and freezer. You need to make room for the all-important prosecco and desserts - not the half empty bottle of ketchup in the fridge door and the few peas you’ve left in the bag at the back on the freezer draw. If you’re lucky enough to have a built in wine or beer fridge in your kitchen, then you’re already one step ahead here!
3 - If you’re planning on pulling out the stops with a new showstopper that you haven’t yet mastered, why not invite friends or family round to your place and give them a little taster. Remember, practise makes perfect, and you want to nail it on the big day.
4 - Save precious oven space and ask someone else to bring the turkey. The turkey takes up a huge section in the oven leaving little room for anything else. Tin foil and towels will make sure your turkey is happily resting at an optimal temperature while those all-important goose fat potatoes are crisping up just nicely.
5 - Festive tunes in the kitchen are a MUST. Mariah is your bestie on Christmas Day… and don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.
6 - Wash up as you go… or get your little brother/ sister to be the designated washer upper-er! And to help out even more, invest in some disposable foil trays to cook your food in… you won’t regret it. If you have a utility, make the most of having two sinks at your disposal, keep one for heavy use items that need serious cleaning, like pans and oven trays, and keep the other for relatively easy clean items like cutlery and glass wear.
7 - Probably one of the most obvious tips for hosting, but something that we think is important to still mention - make a list of what needs to be done and when for. We like to work backwards when putting our list together. Work out what time you want to sit down to eat and then what needs to be done last. The gravy is always the last in our home.
8 - Get ahead of the game and prep the veg before the big day. We’re not about peeling the sprouts first thing when you should be opening presents. Do them the night before and leave them in pans of water on the hob ready to go.
9 - Keep your dining table clear of clutter. Yes, we love a showstopper centrepiece, but we can’t forget what the dining table is there for – to sit at, eat, drink and be merry. You don’t want too many fussy bits that can be knocked over and ruin the rest of the table.
10 - Remember how many people you’re catering for and make sure you have enough crockery, plates, and glasses for everyone twice over. But you don’t need to buy – simply borrow from the lovely guests who are honoured to have you hosting such a glorious day… they won’t be needing them!
Our final tip is to make sure you enjoy your day and take it all in your stride. You’re sure to forget something but it doesn’t matter – it wouldn’t be Christmas Day without a story that’s still told years down the line!