How To Host A Festive Dinner-Party Without The Stress

The Christmas holiday season is always a wonderful time for me, despite all the commotion that comes with it. In our home, the festive spirit starts in early December as my family and I set up our nativity scene and Christmas tree, and begin playing our traditional classical hymns throughout the day as we anticipate Christmas day.

For many years, I hosted large gatherings with loved ones in my home, and although I cherish those moments and enjoy many aspects of the preparation process, it has also come with its fair share of stress especially because I have many little treasures around me to take care of. The pressure I felt to create the perfect holiday experience was overwhelming despite the joy it has brought me. However, reflecting on my previous years of experience, I've decided to make certain changes this year and I was successful in avoiding much of the stress and chaos that usually came with organizing and hosting of my parties.

Here is what I have done to ensure a lovely Christmas holiday dinner-party while minimizing anxiety and chaos for myself and my family .

Limit Your Number of Guests.

This may sound impossible as you probably would like to invite everyone you love in order to not exclude anyone, but what I've learnt is that making the time to get together with people more frequently one on one or in smaller gatherings is more suitable for everyone as bigger doesn't always mean better.

When I've hosted large dinner parties, it was very difficult for me to engage in meaningful conversations because I was so busy thinking of the endless list of tasks that comes with hosting a large party. I realized that I was so focused on making the gathering pleasurable for everyone else that I had neglected my own need to relax and enjoy their company.

This year, by reducing the number of people at my home, the conversations flowed more naturally, which allowed for deeper discussions and a more intimate connections. My guests shared personal stories, laughed together, and made friendships with one another that I didn't always see happen when I hosted larger parties. I’ve noticed that I was able to take the time to relax while engaging with each guest individually, which enriched the experience for both them and me. Ultimately, I've learned that sometimes, less truly is more. So, while the idea of inviting everyone you care about is well-intended, it is worth considering the benefits of a more manageable guest list that prioritizes quality interactions over quantity.

Ask For Help With The Cooking

Usually, I don't like to do potlucks because for me when I invite someone to my home it's because I'd like to offer them a meal that I have thoughtfully prepared for them out of love. I like to create an inviting and relaxing atmosphere where they can relax and enjoy themselves. The idea of having people come over and share the job of cooking for everyone feels counterintuitive to the spirit of hospitality that is important to me.

 Although I still hold on to my traditional mentality, I have tweaked my way of doing things this year by asking others to bring a small side dish to compliment the various main dishes I have made. This helped me find a balance that allowed me to feel more relaxed while maintaining my hosting style.

Prepare Everything In Advance

I always carefully plan out the meal I will serve weeks prior to the party. I write down a long list in my agenda and make sure to purchase the frozen food a week or more in advance.

 A week before, I make sure to cook for my family most of the perishable foods that are in my fridge before the end of the week so that I make room in my fridge for the marinated meats, fish and other dishes that I have made and will serve at my gathering.

Getting the house in tip-top shape is something my family and I do together. Each of my kids have their own cleaning responsibilities, which not only helps in maintaining the order of our large home but also teaches them valuable life skills that they will carry with them into adulthood. For instance, my son is in charge of vacuuming, dusting and mopping our house, while my four younger girls and I make sure everything in our home is tidy and put back in place. This encourages them to take pride in the home in which they live and teaches them how to take care of it. My husband also does his part by helping out with various tasks after he finishes work.

Keep Your Dishes Simple

In the past, I spent so much time making intricate recipes that took much of my time and energy, which can be fine if you aren't also raising a large family.

What I have learnt is to keep my recipes very simple without compromising the taste and quality of my dishes. By making this change, I have discovered that it is entirely possible to create delicious meals without the need for complex steps or an extensive list of ingredients. Doing this not only saves me lots of time but also reduces the stress for myself and my family. I no longer have to spend hours in the kitchen , carefully measuring and preparing each step. Instead, I whip up flavorful meal in a fraction of the time, allowing me to spend more time with my loved ones.

Carefully Choose Your Guest-List

Just as I alluded to before, stating that bigger doesn't mean better, I found that carefully choosing the people that will gather together is essential to having a great and memorable time at your party. In the past, I didn't think it was a problem to invite everyone as my intention was to share the joy and warmth of my gatherings with all those who held a special place in my heart, but over the years I realized I needed to tweak my list by thoughtfully placing like-minded people together. This is a determining factor whether your party will be a hit or a flop.

When I have invited people who share similar values, it brought a sense of fellowship and connection that has enhanced the overall atmosphere. On the other hand, when I haven't carefully chosen my list, I found that they didn't have much in common which created awkward silences, uncomfortable interactions, and took away from everyone having a good time. Because of all this, I felt that my many efforts of preparing for my event was deeply unrewarding.

To me, it's about creating a balance where each person can contribute to the collective experience, making the time spent-together not just a gathering but a celebration of shared connections and higher probability of building new friendships.

Think Ahead & Make Extra Food!

This is definitely an important step to ensure you won't be stressed out. I always make and store extra food in my fridge. I do this fortwo reasons; firstly so I get a much deserved break from cooking, allowing me to have the next meal for my family ready, and secondly if I realize I didn't cook enough for my party, I can grab more and serve it quickly.

The last thing I want is to feel flustered because I miscalculated the amount of food needed for my guests and spend time in the kitchen again cooking for my family once the party is over. By having extra food, I not only alleviate the stress but also prolong the festive mood, which has always been my goal when I host. Overall, this simple yet effective strategy of meal prepping has transformed the way I approach cooking and entertaining, making it a more enjoyable experience for both myself and others.

In conclusion, hosting a relaxing and eventful dinner party at your home should be a significant gift that you offer to your children, your husband, your guests, and, importantly, to yourself. Your gathering is as an opportunity to strengthen bonds, create lasting memories, and a sense of togetherness that is often forgotten in our busy lives.

 As you start planning your dinner party at your home, it is important to keep in mind the underlying reasons for wanting to host in the first place. The goal should be to cultivate an atmosphere where cherished memories can be made, where everyone feels safe to share their stories, which in turn creates bonds of real friendship. By keeping these aspirations at the forefront of your planning, you will know that your dinner-party is not just a meal, but a meaningful experience that enriches the lives of everyone involved.