Preparing for Holiday Guests

It’s here! Are you ready for this month of holiday parties and family celebrations? Don’t fret, I have some Heloise Holiday Hints to help you get ready and relieve a little stress.

A. Plan, Plan, and then Plan some more! Use your computer/smartphone or notebook to make lists for each event. Use the 5 W’s of journalism for your party planning.

1. Who? Decide whom you want to invite. Write down everyone, and then you can always cross off a few if needed.
2. What? Is it a cocktail party, dinner, dessert party or open house?
3. When? Include the date and time, but in this busy season, I like to be clear, so I add the day, Wednesday, and then the date and time, December 21, from 6-8 p.m.
4. Where? Do provide the full address, apartment number, if applicable, and the zip code. If the location may be a little difficult, even note a landmark such as, next to the church, one block after the 4-way stop, the house with the purple shutters or include a map.
5. Why? To celebrate the season, of course!
If you entertain a lot create a master list that you can adjust for different gatherings. Keep this to use all year long and you can add and subtract info.

B. Prepare as many dishes as possible in advance, things that can be frozen and then either cooked, reheated or just thawed! You don’t have to do everything yourself. What are your star dishes? Buy appetizers and bake dessert or cook the main dishes and buy dessert. If a family member or friend does a certain dish you like and you may not do well (or not like to cook) offer to make something of yours they like and then swap! You both win.

C. Cleaning. Yuck! Do the heavy cleaning, inside and outside of your home/apartment days before. Make a short major list and then count down. One week before, check front door and entryway, doing major vacuuming and, clearing clutter. Each day do one major chore, heavy clean bathrooms, get dust bunnies out of corners, clean windows, etc. Get the entire family to participate! Give them each specific task and a deadline. Do reward them with a hug, a treat or something fun!

D. When we have guests stay, I tell them about our house schedules. Since my office is in our home, it’s a little crazy sometimes. So, I set out items for breakfast—the night before. Plates and bowls, coffee cups, napkins and silverware. Dry cereal, fruit and muffins. I show guests where everything else is, so those who rise early can take care of themselves. Sometimes I even put notes on kitchen cabinets, so they don’t have to go looking around.
Let your guests know if you are planning for lunch or dinner and what time, or you’re eating out/ordering in. Also, some things most people forget are the basics. Check to be sure to you have extra supplies on hand: Toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, paper plates, silverware, utensils, laundry detergent and dish soap, coffee, sugar, sweetener and anything you might need for baking and cooking.

E. Easy does it! Do the best you can, fake the rest and remember, it’s family and friends that count, not the gravy.

Hugs for the Holidays,

Heloise