Our Kitchen October 2015

Taste of the Goulburn Valley Christmas Party Edition

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Flavours of the Goulburn Valley

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1274 Wednesday, October 28, 2015 – Page 25

Taste of the Goulburn Valley

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Taste of the Goulburn Valley

The Adviser. Australia No. 1:1274 Wednesday, October 28, 2015 – Page 27

Taste of the Goulburn Valley

Perfect party ideas this Christmas CHRISTMAS party planning can be a stressful process. Whether at home with family and friends or for corporate gatherings, there are a few things you can do to make the process easier.

First, you need to determine the style of the party you want to hold; do you want a sit-down dinner or something more casual, like a cocktail party.

Buffets make dinner parties easy: You can get dishes out quickly and keep them warm while guests can help themselves.

For a stress-free cocktail party, stock the pantry and prepare hors d’oeuvres ahead of time. That leaves only an hour or two of prep on the day of your event.

Once you’ve decided what kind of party you’re going to host, determine the date, time, guest list and menu. Then put together a list of people to invite and decide how you’re going to get the word out. It’s a good idea to invite your guests at least three to four weeks in advance if not sooner, as calendars fill up fast around the holiday season.

can be made in advance, which will save you time and energy on the day of the party.

The next step is to choose your menu. If you’re having a sit down dinner, pick and choose recipes which are simple and delicious and that will go well together, that way you can create your own holiday menu.

Make as much of the food and drinks ahead of time as you can. Of course, some things cannot be made beforehand, but try to get all of your prep work done as early as possible. If you’re organised and have everything ready when the party starts, you’ll be better able to attend to your guests.

If you’ve decided on a cocktail party, put together a list of appetisers you’d like to serve.

It’s a good idea to choose appetisers which

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At least a day before, make a list and schedule of what needs to be made and when. Make sure to leave at least an hour before the party starts for any last minute emergencies and, of course, to get ready and relax before your guests arrive.