With the winter holidays good and gone I like to reflect on entertaining in the home. I like to review what guests liked, the party schedule, and what did/didn't drive me crazy. I need to do this now because soon the artifical pine needles I'm still cleaning up will be replaced with Easter basket grass.
The Keep It Simple theme is extremely important to stick to for in-home entertaining. If you overcomplicate the role of hostess you will just end up exhausted, cranky, and wanting to ban holidays from your home forever. Until next year that is. Here are some tips so you can have some of your own fun.
HAVE A PLAN AND WRITE IT OUT
Weeks ahead write out:
- the guest list so you know how much food and liquour to buy and how to set the furniture up in the house.
-Finalize the schedule and keep in mind that the earlier they arrive, the earlier they leave. Plus if its a holiday like Christmas or Easter you also have to account for church services and time for families with small children to have their own at home traditions. If you don't give them a little time to enjoy the haul from Santa, they'll just be late anyway.
-Plan a simple menu but one that looks extravagant. On your written schedule determine cooking times. The more you can make the day before the better. I like to go the extra step and write the menu out on a black board in my kitchen. It helps me keep track.
THE ILLUSION ON GRANDEUR
Martha Stewart I'm not but I can still leave a good impression.
-As noted in the previous tip, a simple menu can still look extravagant. A roast with a savory rub gets put in the oven and you don't have to deal with it until an hour or more later. I like to do Prime Rib but a spiral ham is a big crowd pleaser too. I also don't run away from pre-prepared side dishes or appetizers I can get at Costco or Trader Joes.
-Consider a brunch. Brunch looks super fancy but ultimately its very simple. Baked goods and quiches can be done ahead of time. Serve them up with mimosas and coffee and you'll all set.
-Get a pretty tablecloth and candlesticks and/or vase that you can use every year. Want an extra splash? Try a table runner.
-Make a big ol' pitcher of a signature drink. I tried this for the first time this Christmas because we has an excess of coconut rum. I mixed it with Pineapple Mango juice and Cranberry juice and we named it the "Malibu Sandy" cocktail. It was a big hit and guests were able to serve themselves.
-Pick up a couple of games or simple projects for younger kids to do. Big kids can help out the little ones. You come across as the thoughtful host but really it cuts down on a lot of potential chaos.
GET HELP
-Get the whole family involved. No need to do it all yourself. Again, Martha Stewart does not live here plus it's an opportunity to bond as a family. Divide duties among yourselves such as decorating, cleaning, shopping, baking, bar setup, and during party cleanup.
-Have guests bring an item side as wine, side dish, or dessert. DON'T ask for an appetizer because it will be wasted if they show up late.
-If you need to prep and cook food during the party let friends join in. Great conversation can be had over chopping tomatoes.
BE CAREFUL OF SETTING A PRECEDENT
I say this based on personal experience. As a young parent I would get so excited about Santa or the Easter Bunny. One year the Easter Bunny left rhyming clues sending them on an elaborate scavenger hunt to find their baskets. After that they expected it every year. The girls are now 13 and still want the hunt with all the bells and whistles. That's what I get for not listening to my own K.I.S.S. advice.
ENJOY YOURSELF
You may not think you need to be reminded of this, but you do. So does your spouse.
-Ever so often "tag your spouse out" and vise versa. Hand your loved one a glass of wine and remind him/her to sit down and enjoy their family and friends. After a while he/she can do the same for you.
-Do a little cleaning as you go so that once dessert is laid out you can all put your feet up. The after party cleanup can be done pretty quickly with some of it left for the next day.
Happy holidays this Spring! If you can Keep It Simple you may actually have some fun!
