BBB Christmas Countdown - How to be a stress-free host

Part 1 - How to plan the perfect Christmas Menu

I loved reading everyone's "menus" for Christmas day! There are certainly going to be some very happy tummies over the festive season that's for sure :)

But now that you have planned your winning Christmas menu, it's time to make arrangements to ensure that all goes as planned. If you are like me, organisation is the key and a list (or "lists") are essential.

I started by printing off / flagging all the recipes that I will be making on Christmas day. Then, after checking the pantry (which in my case is a little bare right now owing to our recent house move) I placed each required ingredient on a list under one of the following headings:

• Greengrocer - perishable and non-perishable
• Supermarket
• Health Food Shop
• Bakery
• Butcher
• Craft store*
• Bottle shop
• Other

* In keeping with my 'homemade' theme this year, I want to make my own bon bons and table decorations (more to come on this in the next few days). So, I also included a list of craft items I needed.

Before....

 

After....

I find that having these lists completed in advance has quite a few advantages. First, it means that I am not frantically wandering the aisles trying, from memory, to collect all the necessary ingredients. Second, the non perishable items (such as those from the craft store, bottle shop and the supermarket) can be purchased in advance with a view to beating the Christmas crowds.

But lists aren’t the only way to remain stress-free during the Christmas season.

Here are my other tips for being a stress-free host:

Delegate

I know only too well how exciting it can be preparing a 'feast extravaganza' for your guests. I also know how much guests like to contribute. After I planned out our menu, I looked to see whether any of the dishes could be delegated to my guests.

This year I asked my mother-in-law if she could bring her winning turkey roast turkey, and my sister-in-law if she could prepare her fantastic roast pork. Both were more than happy to help. This then left me with the smoked ham, vegetables, and dessert. Obviously family members will often offer to bring a more substantial contribution, however even things like ice, bread rolls or perhaps a nice bottle of wine are generally well received! The added bonus of delegating a specific item also means that you are not left with multiple desserts and no vegetables for instance.

Make ahead

Make what you can ahead of time. I don't know about you - but having to wake up at 3.00am on Christmas day to make sure you get everything ready does not sound like fun to me. The week (or two weeks) before Christmas I like to start preparing what I can in advance. Things like apple sauce or chutney can be made well in advance, and even be frozen / thawed if need be.

Schedule

I think you will know by now that I am a person who loves lists and schedules. When planning for a special event, I start by writing down the time I need to have the meal on the table. Working back from there, I can then determine at what times things need to be put in the oven, taken out to defrost etc. This doesn't have to be too regimented, but it gives guidance as to what needs to be done when - and helps ensure that you don't underestimate how long things will take. After all, your hungry 'lunch' guests will becoming 'starving' lunch guests if you don't have the meal ready until dinner time! Plus, as host, you want to be able to celebrate with your guests, and not be chained to the kitchen.  I will be sharing my schedule with you over the next few days.

Relax and have fun!

My most important tip for being a stress free host is to relax and have fun!

After all, sharing a meal with family should be about creating wonderful memories - and not stressing because your cake cracked in the middle. A happy and relaxed host = happy and relaxed guests. And remember, sometimes when things don't go according to plan, they make the best memories of all!

What about you? What is your best tip for being a stress-free host?

Happy Baking :)