Enjoy Your Christmas & New Year’s Celebrations

This is the season for celebrations. For spending time with your loved ones, enjoying delicious food and relaxing as the year comes to the close. However, if you’re the one hosting, it can also be a stressful time, as you rush to try and clean your house and get everything prepared for your party.

If this is your first time hosting for the holidays, you might be feeling overwhelmed, as you try to figure out everything that needs to be done so that the festivities are full of fun instead of frustrations.

If you’re stressing about how to make your holiday celebrations enjoyable for all your guests, we have a few tips to help you ensure you’re fully prepared for hosting a wonderful holiday bash!

Here are 5 Tips for Hosting in Your Home this Holiday Season:

1. A Few Holiday Decorations Go a Long Way

Set the mood by decorating your home with some simple holiday decorations. Candles or flameless LED tea lights can create a warm and cozy feeling, and you can use incense or scented candles to fill your home with festive smells that will put people in a joyful mood. You can use bows and holiday-themed disposable napkins and plates to spruce up your table settings with a touch of whimsy. Disposable plates will also make cleanup easier at the end of the night.

2. Ensure You Have Plenty of Chairs

If you’re planning a large gathering at your home for Christmas or New Years, you’ll want to ensure that you have enough chairs to accommodate all your guests in your living room or dining area. Pull out any extra chairs you might have in other rooms or pick up a couple of foldable chairs, just in case.

3. Ask About Allergies and Dietary Needs

Nothing is worse than showing up to a get-together where you can’t eat anything due to allergies or other dietary concerns. Don’t allow this to happen at your party. Text or email your guests ahead of time to ask about their dietary needs so you can be sure to prepare food that everyone can enjoy or provide options that are allergen free.

4. Have Plenty of Snacks and Drinks on Hand

Have a few things set out when guests arrive so they have something to munch on before and after the main meal. Even if you are hosting a potluck or know that your guests will be bringing food, it is best to have some snacks ready, so no one is left hungry. Cracker and cheese platters are always a crowd pleaser, as are chips, dips and veggie trays. Be sure to pick up plenty of drink options and put them in your fridge ahead of time so your guests can grab a cold drink when they need one.

5. Cook Ahead of Time

If you’re hosting a holiday celebration, you don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen for most of the night. If you’ve invited your friends and family into your home, you should be able to enjoy their company and have a fun time along with everyone else. Get as much of the prep work for dinner done before your guests arrive and pre-cook whatever you can so that all you need to do once your guests show up is throw some things into the oven.

We hope these tips will help your to fully enjoy the festivities when you host this holiday season.  If you’re current home is too small or inconvenient for hosting, Alquinn Homes is here to help you to find or build the perfect home for you and your family. We consider our client’s needs and build homes that are perfect for everyday living. Contact us at (780) 962-1046 and discover what is means to live in a home that’s build The Alquinn Way!