LIFESTYLE
The Lady Entertains
Holiday Hostessing 101
Seems like this magical, wonderful season, has quite a few reasons to make us pull our hair out! Whether it is the exhausting party circuit, the cooking, the relatives, gift buying and giving, or in general getting your home, your life, your kids, all set for Christmas – we could all use a few tricks of the trade to get us through with a bit more ease and a lot less strife! We may not get to use these tips during a pandemic this year, but save this page for 2021 because, Lord willing; we will all be ready to PARTY all season long! Cheers to a safe and fun holiday season. Article reprinted from previous issue. BY SHELLY ROBERTSON BIRDSONG
As your resident harried hostess, I am an endless supply of entertaining tips for the busy working mom. You all know that exhausting moment in December when you crawl in from work after sitting in Christmas shopping mall traffic for over an hour? And what to your wondering eyes should appear, but your neighbors and … your other neighbors… and your husband’s golf buddy… and your cousin Suzy, with six kids in tow… It’s the holidays - so spread some instant cheer with these tips to keep your home and kitchen holiday guest ready at a moment’s notice! And every time a bell rings … you can get your holiday hostess with the most-est wings! In order to make it through the holidays without spending every day planning for and preparing for guests, do these few things starting December 1st. Yes, a little forethought and pre-planning will make the next thirty-one days much easier I promise!
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Keep the house clear of those pesky tree needles and stray mistletoe balls and invest in a cordless vacuum that you can keep charged and ready to pick up minor messes at a moment’s notice. Even the kids can manage it and help!
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Buy five good candles in varying holiday scents at the start of the season; something Fir Tree, something Winter Snow, something Cranberry, and scatter them in your common area rooms. Keep lighters close by and accessible so as soon as the doorbell rings unexpectedly, you can light and create a festive and non-smelly atmosphere right away!
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If you are really ahead of the game – bake cookies and freeze the dough in ready-made balls to quickly pop in the oven. Or…make sure you buy three or four rolls of pre-made in your favorite holiday flavor – peanut butter, sugar or gingerbread, to slice and bake with no muss or fuss!
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Speaking of pre-planning: keep on hand cans of frozen orange and lemon concentrate and brew up some tea by the gallon, add sugar to your liking. This too can be kept frozen. Guests coming? 32 HOLIDAY 2020
Mix all that together and add some fresh cranberries or sprigs of basil for color. It’s fabulous Tea Punch! This can be a great mixer for champagne or vodka if you need to pligh your guests with holiday “spirits.” It’s also a good idea, especially if you know you will entertain throughout the holidays or will have a party or two to attend yourself, to just go ahead and buy a case of wine – mix red, white and champagne - and you are ready to serve or take a bottle as a hostess gift at any moment!
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Speaking of hostess gifts, again, forethought here: Buy 5-10 cute, unique, maybe with the date on them, tree ornaments when they are on sale at the start of the season for around $3-$5; get small gift bags, tissue paper and cards. Wrap in advance and have in the closet. Co-worker got you something and you never even considered getting her a gift? Well here you go you super sweet person you! Gift on the go!
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Buy holiday or just red, green or white cocktail napkins, hard plastic or holiday plates and cups – and keep them tucked away for that moment when you haven’t run the dishwasher in over a week. If you are lucky enough to have crystal or glass wine glasses – go ahead - pull that stuff out! And maybe think about polishing the silver the beginning of November…Those trays and serving pieces can come in handy and make you uber Martha Stewart looking for at least four months before they need to be polished again!
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Lastly, and really a year-round trick of the trade of hostessing – buy mixed nuts, multi packs of crackers and keep hard cheeses and/or brie or specialty cheese on hand at all times and voila- add some olives, grapes, jam or other favorite crudité and you have a ready-made and seemingly fancy and well thought out party tray! Especially if you serve it on a silver platter. Cheers to the holidays!
