If you are planning to have a holiday party, you have a lot of things to think about. Below are six things that you can do when hosting a holiday party to help manage and prevent stress.
Have a Menu
The first thing you want to do is know what you are having to eat. You want to make a list of what you are having for appetizers, main course, dessert, and drinks. This will help you know ahead of time what you have to shop for, what you need to buy, and what you have already in your house.
Delegate Cooking
If you have people who offer to bring things to your party, accept the offer and let them know what you want them to bring. Whether it’s a dessert, an appetizer, or something else, there’s nothing wrong with accepting help if people are offering.
Get a Headcount but Prepare for Extras
It’s a good idea to get a headcount of who is coming so you know that you have enough food and drinks. Even if you have an idea of who is coming, make sure that you have a contingency plan and extra food in case others show up. Even if other people don’t show up, you’ll have lots of leftovers!
Prepare Ahead of Time
If you are making a turkey, there’s nothing wrong with cooking it the day before instead of cooking it the day of your event. Things like potato salad, macaroni salad, pies, and cakes can all be made ahead of time. This will cut down on the things that you have to worry about the day of your party. You can also set your table ahead of time.
Make Sure You Have Enough
Along with having enough food and drinks, make sure you have enough plates, napkins, flatware, and seats. Think about how many people are coming and if you have enough chairs.
Make Things as Simple as Possible
Depending on what you are having to eat, it is usually accpetable to use plastic utensils, paper plates, and cups. This way you have less cleaning up to do and more time with your guests. Everything except your pots, pans, and serving dishes can go in the trash.
These are six things that you can do to help your party be less stressful for you and more enjoyable for your guests. Use these tips and you’ll find that parties are much more enjoyable.
