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8 Best Tips For Hosting Holiday Parties

How To Host A Stress-Free Holiday Party

The holidays are around the corner and that means it’s time to start preparing! If you want to make sure that you host a fantastic party, then take a look at the 8 tips below.

1. Make a master checklist

Making a checklist may seem “old school”, but it works! When you have a lot on your plate, it is easy to forget what you need to do next. By writing out a list of to-dos and what you need to buy will help you make sure that everything gets done in a timely manner. This will be a huge stress-relief, especially as the holidays get closer.

2. Stock up on treats

When your guests arrive you will want to have something for them to do. Because it may be a few hours before you serve dinner, having a cocktail hour is always a great idea. To keep your guests satisfied make sure you have enough drinks and appetizers out such as crackers and cheese, a vegetable platter, etc. Not only will this keep their stomachs happy, but will also create a more social environment.

3. Deck the halls

If you need to purchase more decorations be sure to add this to your checklist. If you plan enough time between purchasing your décor and decorating your house, then you won’t feel as rushed. Beautiful décor always makes a difference and puts you and your guests in a festive mood. Also, be sure to create a fun and joyful playlist that goes with your theme – whether it is Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, etc.

4. Clean as you go

Sometimes the host or hostess can become so busy that they don’t clean as they go. Not only will this leave you with a huge mess to clean up after the party, but it will also take up a lot of counter space for your dishes. Try cleaning as you go from washing dishes, to wiping up spills, etc. Also, another helpful tip is to make sure that your dishwasher is empty before guests arrive.

5. Cook ahead of time

While you may need to cook the main course such as the ham or the turkey on the day of the party, you can cook other dishes ahead of time. Whether you can make the side dishes a day before or the morning of the party, the more you can get done ahead of time, the less work you’ll have when your guests arrive. This will also help relieve some stress and allow you a little more time to mingle and socialize with guests, rather than spending the whole time in the kitchen.

6. Only make easy food…that’s still impressive

Cooking easy food should not be avoided! There are plenty of savory and delicious dishes that are easy to make, yet also sophisticated and classic. At parties, finger foods are strongly encouraged. A few ideas are hot ricotta dip, crab and chive puffs and maple-glazed ham with biscuits and chutney.

7. Upgrade to marble custom home features

If you’ll be cooking in your kitchen this Christmas and New Year’s Eve, then a new marble kitchen hood is the perfect addition. Kitchen hoods give any kitchen a magnificent element of design that will impress your guests. Another phenomenal winter feature to enhance your home’s interior design is a marble fireplace. With beautiful, hand carved custom home features you can customize them the way you want so that the style and design suites your home seamlessly.

8. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself

The holidays are meant to time spent relaxing with your loved ones. While we understand that preparing for a party can be overwhelming at times, try you best to let the little things go, so you can enjoy your time with friends and family.

We hope that these tips help you prepare for your upcoming holiday parties, and that you have a wonderful holiday season!

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