‘Tis the season to be jolly not stressed, and whether you’re hosting Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or both, your time to shine is almost here. We put together a few tips and tricks for hosting to ensure that your holiday is full of cheer and stress-free. Let’s get started!
Protect your tabletops this holiday season by laying down a layer (or two) of newspaper underneath your tablecloth. Spills happen, but now you don’t have to worry about your nice wooden tabletop being compromised. An extra layer is also good protection against hot dishes.
Turn an extra countertop or tabletop into a makeshift hot cocoa bar. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, it can be as simple as your Keurig and hot cocoa pods. Offer guests a few toppings, festive mugs, and plenty of marshmallows. A hot cocoa bar is perfect for guests with a sweet tooth and the coziest pick-me-up.
Remember being a kid on Christmas? Excited and full of energy was an understatement, so if you’re expecting little ones at your gathering create a craft corner for them where they can make Christmas cards or other holiday crafts to keep them busy.
Keep clean-up quick and easy by lining your trash can with three or four bags. When one bag gets full, it’s on to the next one. This will also work in your favor if one bag starts leaking.
There are several ways you can freshen up your home and keep it cozy during the holidays. One way is to create a simmer pot with scents of the season like oranges, cranberries, cloves, and cinnamon, or you can set some tea candles in glass jars full of coffee beans.
Don’t feel like you have to create an over-the-top menu to serve just because it’s the holidays. Keep your menu simple and stick with what you know, not only will you appear confident in your kitchen but you’ll minimize any surprises like something being undercooked after being in the oven for an extra 45 minutes.
Holiday meals can be made even more special just by adding little extra touches like a place card.
It’s okay if you waited until the last minute to wrap all of those gifts, we like to call minimal wrapping “minimalist chic”. Wrap gifts in brown paper, and twine, and add a sprig of rosemary. As for tags, opt to write everyone’s name in calligraphy right on the paper.