TOP TIPS FOR FUSS FREE HOSTING
'Tis the season to be jolly, yet all too often, the thought of hosting a Christmas party can lead to feelings of dread, overwhelm and anxiety. But you don’t have to feel that way. In this latest blog article Evelyn shares her 10 top tips for fuss free hosting, ensuring your next party is a relaxed affair. Plus, sign up to our FREE 7 day trial to access our Effortless Festivities Guide with 6 simple to create, delicious Christmas themed recipes.
10 Top Tips for Fuss Free Hosting
1. Keep it simple: Inform your guests that you will be serving drinks and light bites. Don’t go crazy and over cater. I would recommend 2 savoury options, and 1-2 sweet options (our Effortless Festivities guide contains savoury and sweet inspiration). Plus you can never go wrong with having a bowl of veggie crudités and hummus on the side.
2. Prepare ahead: Choose dishes that you can prepare ahead of time so you can maximise the time with your guests and have food ready for their arrival.
3. Short on time: Delegate! Ask your friends to bring a dish/drink.
4. Christmas scents: Personally I love popping something in the oven prior to my guests arriving that smells really Christmasy. A batch of my Christmas Crunch granola (which you could package up for friends to take home with them) with its warming Christmas spices of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg or clove, or have my Mulled Apple Mocktail simmering away on the stove (you can find recipes for both in the guide).
5. Light a seasonal candle: Use a room spray or pop on the diffuser. To maximise christmasy vibes look for scents with cinnamon, pine trees, ginger, peppermint, vanilla, and mistletoe.
6. Make your own pomander balls (oranges pierced with cloves): As the oranges dry, they release a citrusy aroma. Simply plan out your design before inserting cloves into the oranges (if you have trouble inserting the cloves, pierce the skin of the orange first with a cocktail stick). Dress with ribbons and display in clusters with branches of holly.
7. Lots of blankets: Make your guests feel relaxed and at home with a selection of blankets that they can wrap up and get cosy.
8. Christmas playlist: Create a playlist of your favourite layback Christmas tunes that can be enjoyed in the background.
9. Start the party with a warming mocktail: Your guests might be chilly from the journey over. Serve up my Mulled Apple Mocktail (from the guide) and invite your guests to make themselves at home.
10. Relax and Enjoy: Remember this party is for you too! If you‘ve prepared ahead of time then you should be enjoying the party as much as your guests. There is no need to clean-up or be stuck in the kitchen during the evening. Create an environment where your guests know they can help themselves and remember no washing- up/tidying during the evening (the tidy up should be minimal if you stick with canapes - opt for napkins rather than plates!)
Effortless Festivities Guide
For more top tips and six festive recipes designed for simplicity without compromising on flavour, sign-up to the Online Studio for full access. From a warming mocktail, to sweet and savoury nibbles, this guide will support you in hosting memorable celebrations without the stress. Say goodbye to kitchen chaos and hello to joyous and effortless Christmas gatherings.
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