Effortless Holiday Hosting
The holidays are here and we are excited to be together with friends and family. As December approaches we’re thinking about gathering with the ones we love and planning some holiday cheer. Below we’ve collected our tips to make your entertaining this holiday season as easy and effortless as possible. Check out some of our fun gathering ideas below too!
Make a List, Check it Twice (Thrice?)
Start with our Events +Page in your planner to gather all of your event information in one place. Track invite RSVPs and plan your menu. Jot down to-do lists, decor ideas, the timeline of the event, and anything else you don’t want to forget.
Prep Ahead
When guests arrive you won’t want to be stuck in the kitchen stirring at the stove or attending to anything fussy. Think about cooking things in advance. Soups, stews, sauces, and braised meats can improve with a rest in the fridge. Prep as much as you can ahead of time so you’ll be relaxed and present when your event begins. If you’re building a cheese plate, don’t forget to pull cheeses from the fridge an hour ahead of time to make sure everything is the right temperature.
Tried and True
This isn’t the time to build a menu around new recipes you’ve never made before. Go with the recipes you know best! And if you want to try something new, be sure to read the recipe carefully or consider testing ahead of time. Nothing like getting to step 5 of a new recipe and realizing the dish needs to rest for hours in the fridge! As you plan your menu, read through each recipe and jot down anything that can be done in advance. Use this list as a starting point as you plan your timeline.
Spruce Up Your Space
Light some candles or a fireplace if you have one. Turn on some music and turn off overhead lights. Put some cozy throw blankets on chairs. Make some space in a closet for guests to hang coats and take off winter gear. When arranging seating, consider a spot for guests to rest a glass or plate. Bring in some fresh flowers. Take apart grocery store bouquets to make your own special arrangements. Pro tip! Go with one color or flower for an elegant look. You can purchase mixed winter greens from the hardware store or nursery and place branches in vases with twinkle lights or gather them on a tabletop or mantle for a cozy, wintery look.
Drink Station
Think about a drink table where guests can help themselves. If it’s a daytime event, you can offer cider, coffee, infused water, or a festive punch. For an evening event, offer something celebratory and sparkly or a premixed, non-alcoholic cocktail with the option for guests to customize drinks to their liking.
Go With Your Strengths
There’s no need to stress or do it all. If you love to cook but dread baking, enlist a baker friend to help prepare treats. Or support a local shop and take away treats from a favorite bakery. If cooking isn’t your forte, make the event potluck or cater from a restaurant or grocery store.
Keep a Record
Consider adding a dedicated Golden Coil Notebook to your collection to use exclusively each holiday. Your holiday notebook can keep your favorite seasonal recipes, menus, gift lists, traditions, and ideas in one place year after year!
Party Time!
Stuck on what kind of gathering to organize this year? Consider these fun ideas as you make your plans!
Wreath Making
Purchase some simple grapevine wreaths, floral wire, and ribbon from the craft store. Pick up scrap winter green bundles at your local nursery and host a wreath making afternoon.
Holiday Crafting
Choose a simple craft like ornament making and gather some friends for a cozy ornament making evening.
Traditional Dinner
Pull out the fancy linens and best dishes. Make your family’s favorite dishes and host a holiday dinner for friends.
Pajama Party
Invite your closest friends to come over in cozy pajamas and choose a holiday movie to watch. Enjoy some hot cocoa and seasonal treats.
Donation Party
Consider adopting a family to purchase gifts for this season. Assign your friends items to purchase and gather together to assemble and wrap everything. Make some snacks and brainstorm other ways you can give to your community throughout the year.
Wrap Party
Invite friends to bring their unwrapped gifts and wrapping paper over for a wrapping party. Set out fun paper, ribbon, gift bags and tags. Turn on some festive music and wrap gifts together.
Cookie Swap
A classic cookie swap is a fun way to share family traditions and treats with others. Set up bakery boxes and ribbons and invite friends to bring cookies to share. Guests can box up cookies to take home, swap recipes, and enjoy some snacks.