Easy Holiday Entertaining at Home

Thanksgiving is over and it’s time to get your merry on! We’re now into the holiday season full of parties and looking holiday festive. Today I am sharing an easy holiday party that can be prepared in advance and keep you feeling stress-free when entertaining for the holidays. 

As you know I decorate my entire house for Christmas before Thanksgiving (Tip#3 for a stress-free holiday is hiring people like myself to decorate your home, so I need to decorate my home first!) I make sure I give myself lots of days to complete my holiday decorating.

This coral, bronze, and pink cabbage rose floral arrangement has over 100-holiday floral picks, 2 different green garlands, 5 different holiday garlands cut up, ornaments and glittered faux fruit. It’s so simple to create this look anywhere in your home.

I tuck my coral placemats under the runner vertically or you don’t have to use placemats for your table. Remember to keep it easy! I love putting out my collection of Santas everywhere. The center-decorated gift box was done with Modge Podge, vintage cards cut out and a floral arrangement glued on. I remove the centerpiece and Santa when we sit down to eat. I prefer looking at my guests and not the tablescape!

Tips for Easy Holiday Entertaining

• Make sure your bar is fully stocked 2 days before the party.

• Plan your menu ahead of time and keep it very simple. (If you’re a gourmet cook knock your socks off with your food presentation but most people come to see you not the food.)
• If you need people to bring food, say so on your invitation. My very first party in Atlanta for 50 people I did everything by myself and now my friends eagerly bring food. The more people can bring the less stressful it is on you. I even tell them what to bring so that we don’t have 5 trays of smoked salmon. (Yes, one year we had 5 smoked salmon appetizers at our Master’s party and now make sure that doesn’t happen again!)
• If you’re cooking the main meal keep it as simple as possible. I love serving lasagna or baked ziti with a salad. I will also serve a simple roasted meat for those people who are counting carbs during the holiday. (seriously…)The appetizers will keep your guest’s belly’s full so that you don’t need an elaborate main meal.

• Do not worry about cleaning your dishes while you have guests. Hide them in your laundry room or use plastic plates and toss them. You should be enjoying your party not washing the dishes!
• If cooking for a holiday party is too stressful consider having it catered. Hosting a party can be just as fun if you don’t do any of the cooking! So many people have their parties catered because they may not be great cooks or don’t have the time to cook but they still enjoy having a party. No penalties are thrown when you’re not the chef of your own party. I love to cook and enjoy the whole aspect of cooking for a crowd but it’s not for everyone.

• If you have a party that is going to be over 4 hours long suggest to your guests to take Uber or Lyft. We want everyone to drink responsibly but it’s nice to let someone else who is sober to drive your guests home.

The Menu

I like to serve passable finger foods that can be eaten while holding a drink in the other hand.

Appetizers that are a crowd-pleaser during the Holidays

Main Meal Suggestions

Ina Garten’s Filet of Beef

Christmas Salad

I like to serve my tiramisu dessert at my Christmas party. Besides my cheesecakes, (I make lots of different cheesecakes) this always gets rave reviews!

The Restyle Tuesday Outfit

This is a very simple black cashmere sweater tunic over leggings. I purchased this funky silk and felt wrap 2 years ago because it was artsy and a conversation piece.

Here are a few styles you can use to duplicate my look:

Thanks for stopping by today!

Are you entertaining during the holiday season?

I would love to hear how you create an easy holiday party!

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Hugs,