Easy Christmas Entertaining – Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy, laughter and getting together with family and friends. You have to make it happen though, and that can be stressful when you’re trying to create a welcoming atmosphere and manage the hosting logistics.
Easy Christmas Entertaining
These tips might help:
Start with a Plan
Whether you’re starting early or late, make a list of everything you need to do. Just write it all down as it comes to you, in no particular order. Once you have everything down, you can start to see how to group tasks to make it easier. Two of the most important things might be:
- Menu Planning: Keep things simple with recipes that can be prepped ahead of time as far as possible. Dishes like a festive ham or a vegetarian lasagna can be made the day before and heated up when your guests arrive.
- Decor and Atmosphere: You want to set the mood but if your space is limited avoid overcrowding. Select just a few key pieces that create an inviting ambience without taking up floor space.
Optimise Space
If you find yourself short on space for guests, consider using a self storage unit to help you maximise your area.
- Declutter Your Home: The first step is assessing your current space for the kinds of activities you’re planning. If you want a dance space, maybe sacrifice some seating in one room. If you need more seating, maybe sacrifice a bookcase to make space for a chair.
- A storage unit, or maybe just a self storage locker if you don’t need very much space, could help solve the furnishing issues when you’re entertaining a house full of guests. Safety or security can also play on your mind at party time, so include valuables or hobby tools and sports equipment in your storage plans.
Create a Buffet-Style Setup
A buffet is a fantastic way to simplify serving food. It allows guests to help themselves and reduces stress for the host.
- Set Up Stations: Having multiple food service stations is one way to get round the space issue if there isn’t room for one giant buffet table. Having different foods in different areas can encourage mingling and conversation, but can also ease tensions that can rise when everyone is trying to serve themselves from the same table.
- Label Your Dishes: You can use cute little tags to identify each dish. This will not only make it easier for guests with dietary restrictions or preferences to know what’s available but will also add a lovely festive touch.
Organise Your Bar
Set up a drinks station with a mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to cater to all guests. Pre-mix cocktails in batches or have one signature drink for the evening. This allows you to spend more time with your guests rather than constantly chilling wine or mixing drinks.
Keep Things Simple
While it might be tempting to plan elaborate activities, sometimes simple is best.
- Games and Activities: Pull out classic board or card games that can engage guests without requiring extensive setup. Go with the flow of what your guests want to do, letting some play games if they want to, but also having an area where those who don’t won’t feel pressured.
- DIY Photo Booth: Everyone is going to be taking pictures anyway, but having a fun photo booth, maybe with small dress-up items can be fun and a little different. Kids especially might enjoy it.
Flexible Seating Arrangements
Seating can be a challenge, especially if you’re tight on space.
Look for ways to incorporate cushions or poufs that can be easily moved around. They can serve as additional seating without the bulk of traditional furniture and are especially handy for children. Fold-up chairs or stools are useful when seating dynamics change as you can stack them against the wall or stow them in a bedroom when you don’t need them.
Efficient Clean-Up
No one enjoys cleaning after a good celebration but with proper planning, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Consider letting your guests help with tidying up. Some will anyway, but it never hurts to ask someone to do a simple and quick thing when you’ve got your hands full. Make sure there are plenty of bins for rubbish.
Post-meal, focus on cleaning dishes in batches rather than trying to tackle everything at once. Even with a dishwasher, you may need a few cycles to get through everything after a large meal. Loading the washer as you go, a bit at a time, can help save counter space.
Some people love entertaining while others dread it, but no matter how you feel about it, it’s always possible to welcome guests and make them feel comfortable and festive. Use whatever tools you need, from storage units to buffet meals and self-serve bars to create the space and atmosphere everyone will enjoy.
Debz Louise is a plus-size blogger based in Yorkshire. Behind many nationwide campaigns such as #WeaAreTheThey & winner of Best Blogger at the UK Plus Size Awards, she talkas about life as a plus-size 40-something woman in South Yorkshire.
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