Every year for the holidays, we usually get hosted by others. Whether it’s Christmas at my in-laws or Hanukkah at my parents or brothers, there’s always someone offering to host at their place. While I love hosting, the holidays are a time that I prefer not to. Since cooking doesn’t come naturally, it feels too stressful to host such an important yearly event. However, it looks like this year, we will be hosting Christmas at our house, and potentially Hanukkah too. So I can use all of the holiday hosting tips I can get.
That’s why I’m excited to partner with Church & Dwight and share some of their holiday hosting tips with you and for me too!
- Make a list and check it twice. There are great organizational apps that can help you prioritize. From stocking up your pantry and creating menu ideas to managing RSVP lists, storing these items in one place can help you organize and strike off those to-dos! Plus, the feeling of accomplishment you get when you check an item off your list is always a bonus (whether it’s on paper or on your phone!)
- Get the fancy silverware and dishes ready. Holiday feasts and festive parties mean bringing out your best silverware and serving dishes. To refresh your silver, try Arm & Hammer Baking Soda. Just rub a paste of three-parts Arm & Hammer Baking Soda and one-part water onto the silver with a clean cloth or sponge. Then rinse thoroughly and your dinnerware will be sparkling-ready to impress your guests!
- Expect the unexpected. Whether an unexpected guest drops by for dinner or drops off a gift, you need to be prepared. Always make extra food or buy something that can be heated up quickly. Keep a few non-holiday-specific gifts on hand so you can gift them quickly if needed. Usually something for the home or kitchen works well for a variety of people. For kids, arts and crafts gifts are always a good idea.
- Keep messes to a minimum. Having a trusted stain fighter on-hand to tackle those holiday spills and stains is a must! My go-to products are the OxiClean MaxForce Foam Laundry Pre-Treater and MaxForce Spray Laundry Pre-Treater. Both can treat wine stains, gravy spills and stains from sticky fingers to keep linens and napkins table-ready for next season. The Pre-treaters can stand for up to a week before washing.
- Pamper yourself! Treat yourself to that festive latte, Santa-shaped cookie, or extra hour in bed without the guilt! You deserve it for all your hard work, and it may be just what you need to keep your spirits up and stay energized for your next dinner party!
What are your tips for easing dinner party prep and clean-up stress?
Disclosure: I received compensation in the form of product and payment as part of my participation in the Church & Dwight Ambassador program. The opinions are my own.
Thanks so much for the awesome tips. I have quite a few guests coming over the holidays so tips are always welcomed. I always make a list and go through over and over again.
These are all terrific tips, thx very much! I especially like the expect the unexpected tip to not get caught off guard, because it could ruin the fun of the holidays! Merry Christmas!!!
Great tips. I also love Oxiclean for the post party mess.
A cookie without guilt 🙂 I like the way you think!!
You’ve got the tips covered, in you’ve reminded me to wash up the “fancy” dishes.
I’m hosting for the first time this year! Yikes! I’ve definitely got lists going!
Hello there! Great blog 😊I Love entertaining & hosting!
How many tips do you want? 😂 Maybe we can call & collaborate sometime. 😉 one tip my family enjoys is SEEING their NAME at their place setting. I just take some card stock, cut & fold & use my daughters gel pens to write each guests names. Add a sticker or chocolate to it.. or even write their names on a tag punched in corner & add ribbon .. tie it around your silverware in a pretty paper napkin if you don’t want to use linen napkins.. and just let ppl find their names when they come to table. You’ll notice the kids scoping out their names ahead of time and getting it fixed in their head. Which is good.., then there isn’t that chaos wondering where people go and a million ppl asking you where you want them 😂
Thanks so much for all the tips these are sure to come in handy !
Thanks for this. I agree we need to pamper ourselves and delegate.
“Keep a few non-holiday-specific gifts on hand so you can gift them quickly if needed.” This is by far my obsession lol I’m always keeping things for a time I might need to gift something.
making a list is definitely the most important ! It is a great way to help you get and stay organized. I dont host often but when I do that is the first thing i do
Every year since 1999 I have hosted Christmas, and my tips are to make sure most of the work and prep is done the day before, and make sure to have a check list and to keep checking it. I only had my daughters and their families and my mom and her husband, so I would do buffet style and it always worked out that way and left more room on the table
Usually plan ahead and really ask for help if you need it. People can bring their homemade dishes too, that way it can offset the work/budget for everyone.
great tips! I always make a list!
These are great tips! We don’t host for big gatherings, it’s just hubby and I and kids. Most of our family is far away, but we do have friends come over for dinner. I like the idea of having arts and crafts for the kids.
great tips
These are some great tips, we are hosting tonight!
Great tips! Thank you!
We are hosing for New Years,thanks for all the helpful tips !
I hope your hosting went well and I hope your holidays were great !
I do New Years Eve every year and I know it can be stressful but for any holiday meal and at whomever is hosting we try to do potluck because that way everyone is chipping in and it’s not costing a fortune for the person hosting.
Great tip
Great tips. Thank you!
Thanks for the holiday tips
Thanks for the awesome tips! Making lists has been a life saver for me 🙂 Happy New Year!
It sure helps to be organised and to have support – I love hosting!!!
Lists are definitely a must when I’m hosting!
I have always hosted the dinners for any holiday and can really appreciate any tips to get through.I think a list is important and doing prep work ahead of time.
Some great tips for all occasions.
Great tips! I missed the post for the holidays but we have a few birthdays coming up, so its very helpful!
Great tips, I like to serve food that can be prepared ahead so I can enjoy my party. I also get out my best dishes
I am so lucky these days that it’s my son upstairs who does all the hosting and I’m merely a guest. 🙂
I hosted Christmas Eve dinner for 2 families plus my own (so total of 11 people in my small townhouse) and it was fantastic. These are all great tips and I used parts of all.