
Planning a menu well in advance can take a lot of stress away from planning a holiday party. By planning a menu a few weeks in advance, you don't have to experience any last minute stress about what your guests will eat.
Asking everyone who will attend to bring a dish of food is also a great way to relieve some of the stress you may experience from a holiday dinner. By having everyone bring a dish, everyone can feel like they are involved in the preparation of the meal and will feel more involved in the holiday dinner.
Making a grocery list when you go shopping for the items you will use for the holiday dinner is an extremely smart idea when planning to host a holiday dinner. By having a list and double checking it for the items you will need, you will have all the items on hand and won't have to stress out at the last minute because you missed an ingredient you needed. It is also a good idea to check the sales ad to find great deals many stores have around the holiday season.
Planning how you will prepare your dishes and when can also decrease stress. Many dishes can be prepared weeks in advance, while others can only be prepared a few hours before they will be served. Making the dishes that can be cooked ahead of time can ensure a great holiday dinner.
Planning a meal that is low maintenance will allow you to cook and chat with friends and family while doing so.
Serving appetizers is a great way to have food for guests before the main item is served. Guests will arrive hungry, so having something on hand for them to eat is a great idea. This will also give guests a chance to relax and enjoy each other's company.
Involving all of your family members in the preparation and decorating for the dinner can create many memories.
Inviting friends and family members that may not know each other will make the night interesting. If you know people who have similar personalities who will hit it off well, you should invite these people so that they can get to know each other.
Including entertainment is essential to a dinner party. Make sure you have fun games on hand to entertain your guests. Taking a lot of pictures will also entertain your guests and document the night to provide great memories.
Enjoying yourself is the most important part of having a memorable and successful holiday dinner. Don't forget your holiday dinner etiquette, but when it all comes down to it, having fun is what will make it successful and memorable.
Marcy Breault, "Etiquette Training Guru"