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Whoa, December and its festivities just fell upon me. It crept up! While I can’t wait to partake, I am dreading the madness, the rush, the crowds and the endless preparations for all of our holiday gatherings. Not sure if you know, but, out seasonal kick-off is December 8th. Traditionally, we all meet up for “El Dia de las Velitas”. Translated it is very straight forward: the day of the little candles , really it is the day of the luminaries. to light candles, paper lanterns and send off in the air our globos (giant paper lanterns). This of course does mean that a full blown celebration happens around the simple act of lighting candles. Naturally this first celebration takes place at my home, setting the mood for the rest of our partying… Oh boy, I do need to keep my cool and chill this holiday season and take it all in. I am determined. Time to use these Tips To Ditch The Holiday Hosting Stress!
Six Tips To Ditch The Holiday Hosting Stress
Alright, you sent out the invites and you are D-1. Let’s get right to it and get into happy holiday zen mode:
The menu:
It does not need to be complicated. It does need to be delicious. My secret weapon is HoneyBaked Ham. We know it is delicious. It requires very little prep, and going to my HoneyBaked Ham store means I can also take care of side dishes and dessert in one visit. The menu is practically made for me. This is what I call an easy flavorful paired up menu. I love that it makes it look like I slaved in the kitchen! It will even save you cutting time because it is already spiral sliced for you. The icing on the cake? It does bring back memories of home to everyone that indulges in it.
Set the table the night before:
Like that you won’t forget any of the must-haves or details you want to include. Doing this is also a great way to ensure you have a place for everyone too. By the way, don’t worry about not enough matching dishes: mix and match! Go for an eclectic and original look.
Simple centerpieces:
The simpler the better. Not only will you save your sanity, you will ensure that the conversations flow easily around the table. Just an idea: a rose in a votive candle holder looks striking against a green or white tablecloth. Make a row of these across the table!
Set up a “serve yourself” drink bar:
You can also set this up (minus the ice) beforehand. This type of bar will allow for guests to get creative and serve themselves at their leisure while freeing you from serving.
Ask for help:
Usually, people ask what they should bring or how to help. Don’t say “Nothing.”. If someone brings drinks you don’t have to make it or run to the store for it. Although if no one offers dessert you know you can pick it up with your HoneyBaked Ham 🙂
Play Music on Auto-pilot:
Get an app to play music all night long for you. No need to delegate a DJ or have to stop your party fun to keep the music going!
All these tips should save you from last-minute scrambling allowing you to enjoy your guests and your party!
Party Well and Feel Good
If you do pick up your party menu at Honey Baked Ham stores, you will be doing more than doing good for your sanity and pampering your guests with amazing food. You will feel good about helping HoneyBaked Ham deliver meals during the holidays to first responder locations to bring a taste of home to those men and women working. For more details on this program, please visit here. Find the nearests HoneyBaked Ham to you here and get your delicious meal to put into actions Tips to Ditch The Holiday Hosting Stress.
Do you have a sanity or time-saving tip for a host/ hostess?
Thanks for the wonderful tips, I also do many of the tips mentioned above. I love to enjoy my family on our holiday gatherings, so I try to prepare as many things as possible way ahead of time, I think this tip is the most important one.
Serving enough wine makes most mishaps like an overcooked turkey seem less serious. Just make sure all your guests have a sober driver to get them home
To save my sanity, I pick up a Honey Baked Ham to heat up on Christmas Eve. I also get my husband to help with setting the table and washing dishes.
The Budget for Holiday spending is a must. I have to know how much I am spending and keep track of it for each person or I will spend too much money. I use an app called Santa’s Bag – to keep track of my Christmas Gift List. There are also other great apps to help you watch your spending.
To help save my sanity, I try to make one pot meals or casseroles so there are less dishes to clean!
To keep my sanity as a hostess I plan my party way early and do a lot of the cooking ahead of time so when the guests arrive I can enjoy time with them.
I always have to make lists so that I remember everything. I also try to do as much ahead of time as possible.
I buy some premade food to save my sanity
My suggestion is to get as much of the prep work done before the day of the party so that you can just put the finishing touches on everything. You can even set the table and put out the serving pieces so you can just add the food.
To save my sanity I try and do as much prep days before I host a party. I also invite people to bring things which saves me a trip to the store. I should just go the Honey Baked Ham route this year.
My biggest sanity saver for me is to prepare as much as I can ahead of time! I try to have my meals planned and all shopping done by December 1st, so I can enjoy the month of December and not stress out!
I like to visit my local store to purchase the sides for our meal.
It helps to prepare as much the night before as possible. With less to do the day of will be less stressful.
I would suggest choosing a simple dinner such as a honey baked ham with stuffing and a veggie, and then use festive plastic plates and silverware for easier clean up. No dishes involved and no need to spend hours preparing. Happy Holidays!
I try to prepare as much as I can the days before the event. That way the day of I am not stressing out.
the best advice I can give is just remember these are your family & friends. They don’t care if everything goes off like a Martha Stewart Christmas Special. They want to feel welcomed & at home, not as if they need to worry about making a mess or breaking things. So, go casual. don’t worry if something goes wrong. Just enjoy.
I have to remember to ask for help
Hapoy partying!