How to host Christmas, and still enjoy the day!

We’ve all experienced a Christmas we don’t want to repeat – and it’s usually the one where we’ve been the host! But being run ragged is no fun, especially on one of the most special days of the year. So, this Christmas, when the family comes around to yours, make it a day you’ll all enjoy, with these simple tips:

Ahead of your time

Traditional Christmas meals can be tough on the cook (the most you can hope for is a glass of bubbly as you fix the gravy!). But there are so many festive dishes that can be prepared ahead of time, from meats and vegetables, to sauces and mouth-watering desserts. Check out the net, work ahead, and make Christmas day special for you, too!

Keep your cool

If you’ve cooked a traditional Christmas dinner for almost ever, it’s time to step back from the hot stove, and break the mould! Roll out the poisson cru (marinated raw fish) salad instead of the roast, and go European with a rollmop (picked herring fillets), vine-ripened tomato and boiled egg entrée. Make use of fresh, raw summer fruit and veg, and keep your cool instead of turning up the heat!

Order In

Involve the whole family in Christmas dinner prep by ordering in a festive ‘My Food Bag’ style meal ahead of Christmas Day. Divide up the ingredients and deliver them to the different households who will be joining you. Ask them to construct a course each, and bring it along to yours on the big day. Easy as!

Finding fridge space

Unfortunately, refrigerators don’t magically expand, just because it’s Christmas. But your cool storage can when you buy in ice. Ice costs next to nothing and can be stored in your freezer until Christmas day. When guests arrive with their beverages, empty the bags of ice into a chilly bin and pop the bottles into it. The drinks keep cool, and the guests keep out of your kitchen!

Boost the blood sugar

Little ones ‘lose it’, and diabetic adults quickly flag when Christmas dinner is delayed. Help everyone have a happy time by providing delicious and healthy nibbles throughout the lead-up time to the special meal.

Delay the desserts!

On Christmas day, desserts are just one more course to cram in. Make them more meaningful and appreciated, and save yourself the bother of fixing an evening meal for guests, by serving the puds towards the end of the party! By the time everyone is looking forward to eating again, the desserts provide a sweet note on which to end the celebrations!

Lighten up

Alcohol has a lot to answer for, and never more so than on Christmas Day when the festive spirit, coupled with end-of-year tiredness, can result in over-consumption. Cut back the alcohol by diluting the bubbly 1:2 with fruit juice, serve low-alcohol beer, alcohol-free gin, and plenty of chilled sparkling water.

Compost the chaos

Forget about rolling out Great Aunt Agatha’s Royal Dolton dinner set, and serve Christmas dinner on home-compostable plates (there are so many styles to choose from). By the time you team them with some pretty, festive serviettes, and announce you won’t be calling for volunteers to stack the dishwasher, you’ll be the favourite-person-of-the-day!

Divide and rule!

Lighten your load and involve the teens by delegating Christmas Day tasks ahead of time. Appoint food and drinks waiters (and arm them with gorgeous Christmas aprons), call for a ‘recycling fairy’ (to help with the sorting of paper, glass, and compost), and designate a gift-giver-outer. The ‘big-kids’ will love the feeling of importance these tasks give them, and you’ll receive the support you need.

This Christmas, host a celebration that’s enjoyable for everyone – especially you!