Host the Best Dinner Party this Festive Season!

Did you know that Christmas is now less than 2 months away? If you are planning to host a family dinner this festive season, don't panic! There's still plenty of time to get things planned and prepared, and hopefully the tips I share in this post will give you some peace of mind too.

Decorate the House

If you're hosting this year, then you'll want to make sure you wow your guests as soon as they arrive. Make sure to decorate the house from top to bottom with lights on the bannisters, a beautiful wreath on the door, and of course don't forget to buy real Christmas trees and let the children help decorate. Joyful music in the background always helps set the tone for an enjoyable time at home for everyone too!

Plan Ahead

Start with a list of who will be coming for dinner and the number of people. Decide on what you want to cook ahead of time, and then once you have decided on what you're cooking, start at least two days before the big day - you can peel the veg and potatoes, make the pigs in blankets and prepare the turkey in whatever way you usually do.

If anyone in your family has dietary restrictions, inform them of your menu plan and discuss it with them. This way, you will know what ingredients they require and make a shopping list accordingly. If this is not possible, do a quick run to the store before everyone comes on dinner day to get all your necessary supplies.

Set the Table Early

In addition to the food that needs to be purchased, you'll need plates, glasses, cutlery, serving utensils and don't forget the extras such as salt & pepper shakers, and gravy boats, etc. They don't have to be expensive, but having enough for each person is essential to track how many you have while setting up for the dinner party.

Put out placemats on each table setting so people don't put their plates directly on the tablecloth, which will leave stains if not cleaned immediately after eating. If you don't want to spend too much on fancy table settings, then stores such as B&M and Homebargains offer some beautiful options at a fraction of a price. You can even get lovely colour in table clothes that are perfect for the children's table!

Get into Host(ess) Mode

Make sure you're wearing something festive and comfortable. If you're cooking, wear an apron. When guests arrive, greet them with a smile and their name along with a handshake or hug if they are family members and close friends. Offer them drinks before moving on to other conversation topics while they wait for their plates of food. Consider serving food 'buffet style' so that you can be a bit more relaxed and guests can choose whatever dishes they want.

Remember to repeat these steps throughout the night as people are coming and going. If you expect many guests, consider hiring a caterer to help get food out on time and keep your beverages topped up - not only will that make the evening go much more smoothly, but it will give you chance to enjoy the festivities too!

This is a collaborative post.