Hosting
a Christmas Dinner Party
By
Rose Lenk
Entertaining friends and family in your home
during the Christmas season is one of the most
popular activities this time of year. Many people
choose to host small, informal gatherings in
their home, while others plan extravagant dinner
parties which are destined to generate more
than one urban legend in the community in which
they are held.
While many of us do not aspire to such heights
as those held by the socialites in our community,
we would still like to host an unforgettable
Christmas dinner party that will be remembered
fondly among our closest friends and family
for years to come.
If you are like me, and many are if they would
admit it, the thought of all of the work and
skill that goes into throwing a successful dinner
party leaves you a little weak in the knees
and wondering how in the world you are going
to pull it all off.
But don't let the fear of juggling the tasks
involved with putting on a dinner party keep
you from hosting the event that your family
and friends will talk about for a long time
into the future. It's really not difficult if
you follow a few simple steps and guidelines
for putting on a successful dinner party.
Tips for Planning the Perfect Christmas
Dinner Party
Make your list, check it twice, and invite,
invite, invite. The first thing you need to
do when planning a dinner party is to create
your guest list. Keep in mind that not all invited
will attend. So, if you want to have 50 guests
at your party, you will have to invite quite
a few more than that. Send out invitations no
less than three weeks in advance so that people
will have a chance to RSVP.
Plan to cook your own meal or plan for others
to plan it for you. If you are no Betty Crocker,
admit it to yourself before signing on to make
a large homemade meal. Having someone cater
your dinner party or ordering takeout is perfectly
acceptable depending on what type of atmosphere
you want to create.
Remember that buffets are informal and a sit
down dinner is more formal. I'm not saying that
you are not capable of cooking a large meal
for your guests. If you are and want to take
on the work load of cooking for multiple guests,
then by all means do so. Just keep in mind your
limitations and time constraints. Doing so will
save you a great deal of headache in the end.
Carefully plan your menu. When planning your
individual dishes to serve at your Christmas
dinner party, choose dishes that are both delicious
and easy to make. Choose recipes that can be
made ahead of time or that require just a little
heating right before the party to be finished.
The last thing you want to be doing during your
dinner party is slaving over a hot stove sequestered
away from your guests. Another important thing
to remember when planning your menu is to never,
ever attempt to cook a recipe for the first
time. Trust me.
Take inventory. Create a list of all of the
supplies that you will need to host your dinner
party. Items may include tables, chairs, service
pieces, cutlery, plates, candlesticks, decorations,
table cloths, etc. Do not forget your food items
from your menu as well.
Shop and clean till you drop. About a week
before your dinner party, you should take the
time to do your party shopping and give your
house a thorough cleaning.
Cook and decorate. Cook and prepare as many
foods as you can ahead of time, preferable the
day before the party.
Save the day of the party for setting up your
tables and adding the finishing touches to your
décor.
See, hosting a memorable Christmas dinner party
is not so hard after all. In fact, I'm sure
that you can do it. So, get out there and start
planning, and if at any time you feel overwhelmed,
simply hire a caterer.
By Rose Lenk - For more Christmas
and holiday tips and articles visit me at Christmas
Visions. http://www.christmasvisions.com
