Top tips for Christmas entertaining

Dinner parties are back!

So here are a few ideas to help them run smoothly, Maybe even help with Christmas day!

5 Thrifty ways to be a good host

  1. Warm through shop bread bought in oven before serving, and put out small dishes of butter to soften

  2. Serve tap water in a pretty jug, or a glass bottle with slices of citrus fruit, Keep a supple of ice to hand.

  3. Prepare a playlist that will last long enough to cover the whole evening – nobody wants to hear the same song over and over.

  4. Sort out you light – candles lamps, whatever ambient lighting you are using before everyone arrives.

  5. Make a big batch cocktail or alcoholic punch as well as a non-boozy options, put these out with shop bought nibbles for people to help themselves too as they arrive.

Stress free Serving

  • If you’re the cook, delegate all the other jobs. Taking coats, laying tables, serving drinks so you can focus on the food. Many hands make light work so let people help, prepare veg grate cheese. Makes it more of a social occasion for you too.

  • Ask guests to bring a dish. Your mum makes the best bread sauce, A friend makes a fab Christmas pudding, ask them (well ahead of time) to bring it along.

  • Try to keep drinking to a minimum while you cook, it will slow you down on an empty stomach

  • Write a checklist with timings if you can, it will help you calmly prepare everything

How Much Veg Per Person?

This is something people get wrong all the time and over prepare let this help

Potatoes – 1 larger or 2 Medium (around 400g)

Cabbage (red or green) – 1/8 medium cabbage (around 125g)

Parsnip – 1 small or ½ large (around 125g)

Brussel Sprouts – 4 or 5 per person (around 150g)

Carrot – 1 medium (around 125g)

Claire Edwards