Hosting for the Holidays Like a Pro!

We all know how stressful hosting for the holidays can be with decorating, shopping, and so much more! We want to share with you our tips and tricks on tackling the holiday season!

Step 1: Plan Everything!

We’re all aware of the importance of planning, whether this means planning which days you’re going to host, planning out days you’re going to shop, or planning out a day you’re going to decorate, planning is essential as writing down what needs to get done will give you a strict guideline and it will help you stay organized! Leaving tasks to the last minute can be super stressful so pre-planning is the way to go! You can plan your days by writing them in a calendar or even just making notes on your phone!

Step 2: Get in the holiday spirit!

Who doesn’t love holiday decorations? Although they can be a pain to set up, holiday decorations ultimately help make your home feel festive and cozy! Especially if you’re a dinner host this year, having an assortment of holiday decorations will definitely bring a ‘wow’ factor! Decorating your home also allows your guests to get in the proper holiday spirit too! Oh, and don’t forget the music!

Step 3: Have a Head Count

If you’re planning multiple holiday events this year, make sure you have a proper head count for each festivity so you can buy the right amount of food and drinks for your guests! When in doubt, always prepare extra, but having a proper head count allows you to have a general idea of how many people will be coming!

Step 4: Ask Your Guests To Bring Food or Drinks!

It’s common for hosts to ask their guests to bring a dish, whether that may be an appetizer, a main dish, drinks or dessert, don’t be shy to assign dishes to your guests! Additionally, during the holiday season, people love baking and cooking, this will eliminate the stress of providing food for multiple people while having fun tasting everyone’s dishes!

Step 5: Stock Up on Appetizers!

Appetizers are a popular hosting tactic as it allows any guests who arrive early to enjoy some tasty treats while the others arrive! Popular appetizer dishes include charcuterie boards, cheese and crackers, a fruit or veggie platter, chips, and other handheld snacks! 

Step 6: Provide to-go Containers!

Before your event begins, it’s important to stock up on to-go containers as most hosts often provide way too much food in fear of not having enough. This ultimately means you will have tons of leftovers. By having to-go containers handy, you can send off most of your leftovers to your guests (including desserts)! This will help you stay tidy as if you struggle with finding space in your fridge, send the food away!

Remember, at Skunky's we're here to help and have a passion for helping you make the most of your living and hosting space. Don't forget to reach out to us if you need help clearing your space for the holidays! 

Happy Holidays!