The holiday season is a busy time of year. From holiday shopping to readying the home for guests, there’s no shortage of things to accomplish in a relatively brief amount of time. Seasoned holiday enthusiasts may be ready to put their game faces on and tackle tasks with ease. But for first-time holiday hosts, the prospect of crossing items off to-do lists may require a little extra assistance.
According to Dr. Vanessa Kennedy, a clinical psychologist at Driftwood Recovery, holiday hosting can “lead to the pressure to curate picture-perfect moments, creating stress and anxiety.” The following are pointers those new to holiday hosting can employ to simplify the process and enjoy the holidays a little more.
1. Do as much prep work in advance as possible. Giving yourself extra time to get things done can help immensely. Grocery shop one day, prepare food the next, clean the house one day, and set the table or arrange decor on another. Minor task can be left for the morning of the day guests arrive.
2. Cook and freeze items. Utilize recipes that enable you to cook in bulk and then store foods until you need them. Casseroles, baked pasta dishes, freezable soups, and ready-to-bake cookie doughs made in advance will save a lot of time closer to the holidays.
3. Stock the pantry. If holiday hosting involves overnight guests, be sure to keep easy items on hand so guests can help themselves. Dry goods or pre-packaged muffins for breakfast, chips or pretzels for late-night snacks, granola bars, or store made croissants can fit the bill. Put everything in a dedicated basket so guests can grab items as needed. Stock the refrigerator with water, seltzer, iced teas, and sodas, and make a full pot of coffee in the morning so guests can pour their own.
4. Avoid complicated cocktails. You don’t want to be stuck mixing drinks all evening. Instead, make it simple for guests to help themselves. Wine, beer, premade punches, or even one specialty drink are ideal.
5. Consider hiring a caterer. If the idea of a homecooked meal feels like climbing Mount Everest, swap out some items for store-bought alternatives, or work with a favorite restaurant or caterer to secure foods that only need to be reheated and served.
6. Free up closet and room space. Guests will be coming with a lot of stuff, particularly if you live in a cold climate. Make room in the entry closet for guests’ coats and boots. Be sure you can accommodate suitcases or overnight bags. Set aside an area where guests can deposit their wrapped gifts.
Holiday hosting can be a whirlwind of activity, but novice hosts can quickly get into the swing of things.
| GET YOUR MORNING NEWS: Sign up for the free daily Clarksville Now email newsletter