Easy And Stress Free Holiday Dinner Parties
Family, food and fun - we all enjoy these during the holidays but they can also cause stress. How can you eliminate the stress and still have an enjoyable dinner party?
Keep things as simple as possible. If you organize ahead of time, things will run much more smoothly once the party day actually arrives. Make a checklist of everything you need to do so you don't forget those last minute details.
Guest List - keep the guest list manageable. It's so easy to get stuck in the mentality that you have to invite everyone so no one is left out. It's simply not possible to invite everyone. If you feel you can't leave anyone out, have a couple of smaller parties. Plan them both exactly the same, saving yourself some time and effort. Also, by having two parties, if there are some people who don't get along well, they can be invited to different parties, removing some stress.
Food - the time of the party will help determine what food will be served. If it's later in the evening, lighter foods like finger sandwiches, fruits, veggies, or cheese and crackers might be in order. These require a minimum of preparation. If it is closer to a normal dinner hour, you might need a more substantial menu. Even then, it is possible to have a nice meal with a minimum amount of work. Have a potluck dinner, where each guest brings a side dish and dessert. You can prepare the main dish and drinks. This way, everyone can enjoy a variety of food. Your kitchen is relatively mess free and you are relatively stress free.
Table Setting - if you want to keep things simple, keep the table setting basic. Don't worry about getting out the fine china. There are lots of very nice disposable plates, especially around the holidays. You don't have to worry about the guests accidentally dropping anything. You might want to use real silverware, depending on what you are serving, as some foods are difficult to eat with plastic utensils.
Two options, while more costly, are much more stress free - have the party at a restaurant or have it catered. By having someone else do all the work, you are left to take care of your guests. You have to book a place or hire a caterer, well in advance, as the holidays tend to be the busiest times for these types of events. If it's feasible, then one of these two options may be a good choice.
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