We love to entertain in the holiday season.
Bringing together family and friends and celebrating is what Christmas is all about. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a few friends or the whole extended family coming over, entertaining can sometimes be stressful. Let us help guide you through hosting a holiday gathering. We’ve got party tips and potluck recipes, along with a checklist to guide you through, so you can concentrate on spending time with loved ones instead of being in a party panic.
Holiday Hosting Checklist
When counting down to a party, it’s great to have a guideline of what needs to get done. Follow along with our checklist so you’re full prepared.
Cocktail Party
A big gathering with cocktails –or mocktails –and tasty foods to nibble is a great way to host a crowd. It gives everyone a chance to mingle and celebrate and you won’t be missing the party by being stuck in the kitchen. These appetizers are perfect fare for a gathering like this. All of them can be made the day before, or even up to a month in advance. Just remember that when planning the appetizers, each person will eat about 3 to 4 cold and 6 to 8 hot appetizers.
- Baked Risotto Balls
- Cheese Twists
- Dijon Cheddar Crostini
- Moroccan Chicken Wings
- Molasses Glazed Chicken Wings
- Orange Mustard Chicken Wings
- Pepper Jelly Tarts
- Rosemary Biscotti
- Rosemary Cranberry Crackers
- Sticky Wings
- Sun-Dried Tomato and Cheese Phyllo Triangles
Potluck Party
Many hands makelight work –that’s one great reason to host a potluck during the holiday season. With everyone contributing food to the dinner or party, hosting is much simpler. A few tips will help makeplanning –and the party –run smoothly.
- Start by deciding how many people will participate in the potluck and then divide up the courses.
- Email a signup sheet that everyone can share to make sure there is enough food in different courses –appetizers, salads, side dishes, main dishes and desserts. This will also prevent repeat dishes.
- Ask your guests to bring their beverage of choice or include it as an assigned course.
- Have your guests write their names on the bottom of their serving dish, so there’s less confusion when cleaning up.
- Set up your potluck like a buffet, with all the dishes, besides dessert, brought out at the same time. Dessert can then be served after with tea and coffee.
- Make sure you have enough serving utensils and cutlery, or ask your guests to bring some along with their dishes.