Christmas is a special time for most of us, and most people are looking forward to one of the most exciting events of the season: Christmas dinner. If you are fortunate enough to host a Christmas dinner gathering, then you have to make sure that you are adequately prepared for it. But planning Christmas dinner need not be a scary thing – in fact, you can make it an enjoyable task if you know what to prepare for and what to expect. Here, then, are the most important factors you have to think about when hosting Christmas dinner.
- The guest list
Of course, before you can even start planning your menu and entertainment, you have to think about your guest list first. How many people are you going to invite? Keep in mind that your guest list will be determined by the size of your venue as well. Also, if you’re having a sit-down Christmas dinner, your table has to be big enough to accommodate your guests. If you are having only a cocktail party, however, you can fit more guests in.
If you can, inform your guests about the party at least three to four weeks beforehand. If this isn’t possible, send out emails and give your guests a ring.
- The menu
The menu is undoubtedly an important part of your Christmas dinner. A good – or bad – menu can make or break your Christmas dinner, so it’s crucial to choose the right one. Remember, though, that this is your time to have fun as well, so don’t choose a menu that is too complicated. There are also some dishes which you can prepare in advance, such as pudding, the stuffing for the turkey, the sauces, and so on. Think about your appetizers as well – you can keep it simple by serving a cheese and crackers platter, or you can make it a bit more glamorous with individually-prepared hors d’oeuvres. It’s really up to you – good news, though, is that most appetizers can also be prepared well in advance.
- The entertainment
Entertaining your guests is one big part of being a host. Keeping your guests entertained is not that easy, especially if they are a varied group. One way to keep them entertained, however, is to play games. You can opt for Christmas-themed games or opt for familiar games that everyone can enjoy, such as Bingo. Christmas cooking games are also popular (especially if you want some extra help in the kitchen).
The décor
The décor also plays an important role, especially if you want to have a true Christmas atmosphere and ambience in your home. One tip, though: when planning décor, don’t make it too big, especially on centrepieces. Small decorative accents do well, such as nuts, a small bouquet of flowers, and so on.