Holiday Entertaining

Sometimes I think my life goal is to be a hostess with the mostess. I like to imagine myself Gwyneth Paltrow and day dream about throwing soirees like its 1999. Then in the very next second I realize a) I'm not Gwen, b) I don't have infinite funds and c) I don't have enough friends to host! Just kidding... kinda, sorta!

That said, I have thrown a dinner gathering or two in my lifetime. Most recently, I had my two lovely co-workers over for a mini-dinner party and a Christmas movie-- Meet Me in St. Louis. It was a deelightful night filled with good laughs, great food and holiday cheer!

Since dinner parties and social gatherings, whether on a Gwyneth-scale or little-ole-me scale can prove to be rather stressful, here are my prep tips to keep that entertaining cray to a minimum.

Two weeks before: 
1) Plan early: The professional event planner in me knows that advanced planning is key. So especially during the holiday season, when calendars fill up quickly (that sounds so grown up to say!), nail down your date and invitees early!

Paperless Post

2) Menu: If you're anything like me, trying out a new recipe when guests come over is a big no no (The RISK!!! Ahhh). So turn your kitchen into a test kitchen two weeks before and start exploring menu ideas.

Three days before:
3) Plan your tableware and decor: If your're using linens, make sure they are cleaned and pressed. Unless you are throwing a 90's-catering theme party, skip the dated napkin swans and go rustic by rolling up your napkins and tying them together with a piece of ribbon or twine. Decide which flatware, silverware and glasses you are going to use... that is if you fancy and have more than one option for the occasion. Plan out your centerpiece and tablescape.

Two days before: 
4) Finalize your menu & shop: Stop experimenting and go by them ingredients. Grocery lists organized by dishes are the way to go here. Even better, when you get home from the store, organize your ingredients by dishes or by courses. For example, the ingredients for your appetizer salad all go in the same shelf in the fridge etc.

5) Stock the bar: Read Tips #4 and #5 here for my thoughts on this.  

6) Clean up! Scrub the living daylights out of your sink, tub, toilet and floors.

Day before: 
7) Plan your cooking timeline: Knowing what order things are to be chopped, cooked, or popped into the oven will make your life much easier.

8) Make ahead: If there is anything you can make ahead of time, do it now.

9) Set your table: Lay out your tablecloth, napkins, glasses etc.

Happy hosting!