Holiday Hosting Hacks

View of Wilmington North Carolina from across the river

The holidays are here, and it’s that festive time of year when we open our doors to friends and family to celebrate our time-honored traditions and create lasting memories. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the holiday preparation and pressure to make your guests feel welcome – but don’t fret! Here are four tips that will make you the perfect host this holiday season!

Keep the Menu Simple!

Prevent any stressful kitchen disasters by sticking with the tried-and-true dishes. You will be very confident preparing a dish that you are more than familiar with while minimizing any unwelcome surprises. Selecting a roast or slow-cooking meat will allow you to focus more on side dishes while filling your home with a wonderful aroma. Sliding a third rack in your oven will also help you to fit an extra level of food in your oven while keeping everything warm and ready.

Have a Kids Activity

One of the best parts of getting together at the holidays is to have multiple generations in the same room, but sometimes it’s difficult to keep all ages entertained for the evening. Have games available for kids to play with or even set up a fun, simple craft for them to enjoy.

Designate a Socializer

As a host, you have a lot of multi-tasking to do which can conflict with entertaining your guests. If you need to spend more time in the kitchen preparing your meal, designate someone to greet and socialize with your guests as they arrive.

Provide Yummy Appetizers

If you are planning a later evening dinner, make sure to provide appetizers that your guests can nibble on while they socialize. Set up multiple appetizer stations so people don’t congregate in the kitchen or create a blockade to the bathroom. Keep it simple by dressing up pre-made appetizers with fresh garnishes on decorative plates.

Following these tips and tricks will make you the hostess with the most-est this holiday season! The best thing about it is you are showing some of your closest friends and family how much they mean to you. Remember to have fun along the way!