Top tips for Christmas dining and entertaining

Make the most of Christmas festivities with our tips for making entertaining hassle free, leaving you to enjoy the party!

The Christmas countdown is a magical time; twinkling lights, cosy nights, delicious seasonal food, the prospect of spending quality time with family and friends, and even those cheesy tunes on the radio. There’s nothing quite like that festive feeling.

Added to all that, the tradition of giving at this time of year is a rewarding custom for all. To give is a gift in itself. And what better way to give this Christmas than to host, entertain, captivate and delight the people that you hold most dear.

However, it’s no secret that these times of celebration can often lead to exhaustion and stress, so we’re here to share some of our top tips and festive entertaining inspiration, to keep spirits bright and make this an extra-special, hassle-free Christmas.

Whether you’re hosting for a couple or a crowd, it’s easy to prepare your home for the festivities so that everyone can relax and unwind whilst eating, drinking, and being merry.

Apéritifs
Invite guests in from the cold, with a warming glass of homemade mulled wine served with cinnamon sticks and orange slices. If you need to save time, some retailers have pre-made mulled wine, which you can gently heat on the hob and add seasonal fruit for decor. Alternatively, pre-packaged mulled wine spices can be added to your favourite red wine for an authentic yet time efficient beverage.

Alternatively, kick off your celebrations with fizzy cocktails. A dash of Chambord in a champagne flute before adding the fizz is an easy way to instantly add a touch of glam to your pre-dinner drinks.

Be sure to offer plenty of water around too, as lots of rich food and alcohol can easily lead to dehydration. You can easily hire glassware if you’re worried you’ve not got enough.

Prepare in advance
Take the stress out of cooking by preparing make-ahead, freezer-friendly treats a few days or even a week in advance, which can simply be defrosted and heated on the day. For cocktail parties, sausage rolls, mince pies and filo wrapped prawns are festive favourites that can be prepared whenever you have the time and stored in the freezer. Other buy hydrocodone online no prescription options like hummus and smoked salmon blinis can be prepared last minute with minimal fuss.

When it comes to the main meal, vegetables can be prepped a day or two in advance and even potatoes can be peeled, parboiled and then frozen until needed.

This will not only save you time on the day but it will also prepare you for any unexpected plus ones, latecomers, and make refueling platters during those long nights that stretch into the early hours effortless.

Leave it to them
Don’t panic about being at everyone’s beck and call throughout the evening, allow yourself to enjoy the party by laying out canapés, finger-foods and cheeses on to elegant serving boards and trays so that guests can help themselves as and when they are ready. Serve wine in carafes and ice buckets so it’s ready for the pouring.

Deck the halls
Beautiful food should be paired with a beautiful atmosphere. Decorate your home and dining table with fresh flowers and seasonal arrangements to create a magical touch. For added wow-factor, why not try sprigs of rosemary, thyme and mint, alongside festive favourites such as mistletoe, holly, pinecones, and berries. Not only will this look beautiful, it will give the room a lovely, festive natural scent. Use lots of little candles, fairy lights in jars, and pendant decorations to transform the space, illuminating the room and giving it a magical feel.

Leftovers
If somehow you have leftovers from your festive party feast, don’t allow any to go to waste; make your food go further by creating exciting new dishes. Roasted vegetables can be used to make hearty soups, meats can be served into stews, and leftover cheeseboard cheeses can enhance salads. The possibilities are endless.

Enjoy
These handy tips will all help your Christmas dining and entertaining run a little smoother, but our main piece of advice is to enjoy yourself. Relax, unwind, and soak up the atmosphere. Appreciate the company of loved ones, the high spirits, and uplifting conversations. Make memories and take fantastic photographs that you’ll cherish for years to come.

Feature image
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3