Hosting a stress Free party
With party season approaching you really want to stay as calm and stress free as possible. What's the point of hosting a party if your so stressed out about it that it is not even enjoyable? I came up with a few ideas and hints to helping you plan, and enjoy your party.
I
know, I know, it seems early to be discussing the holiday season, but I want to
share a few things that I find help tremendously helpful thru this time of the
year! Stress free Party Strategies! That’s
right! Getting your party started before
the party starts!
If you
are the hostess, then you will want to be prepared with an emergency
entertainment kit. The best hostess
always keeps these essentials on hand:
- Carpet and fabric stain removers, because let’s face it, someone is going to spill something
- Pain relievers for pre and post party headaches
- Make sure to stock up on toilet paper, and a plunger in the bathroom
- Stock up on extra candles and tea lights to keep the mood lighting flickering all thru the party
- Matches (duh)
- Clear nail polish for snags in tights or stockings
- An extra bottle opener handy
- Folding chairs in the garage are always handy to bring in for last minute seating
Buy
bags of ice, or start bagging what your fridge makes in resalable Ziploc
baggies and storing them.
Dig
out of the back of your cabinet or buffet your serving dishes and decide what
dish will go in what serving piece. Label the dishes with a sticky note so any
helpers will know the plan. Also, now is a good time to find the serving
ware as well. Nothing like scrambling to
find a large slotted spoon with hungry peeps lined up!
Go
ahead and get to baking cookies. They
freeze great, and the day of the party just pull them out to thaw and serve!
If
mixed drinks are your gig, then simple syrup can be made in advance and stored
in the fridge for a few weeks prior to the party. To make: Add one cup sugar to one cup water
in a saucepan, let boil until the sugar dissolves; cool to room temperature
before refrigerating.
The
day before the party, make one appetizer that can be heated and served warm.
Prep your hor d’oeuvres in advance and make extra plates ready to serve in the
fridge so you are available to great your guest as they arrive.
Swap
out any empty platters with full ones in the fridge. (See above for hor d’oeuver
prep)
Recruit
your kids (given they are old enough) to help with mid party cleanup. Ie: stray
cups, plates, and occasional checking the bathroom! They can also keep the chip
bowls full!
Choose
side dishes that don’t require constant tending. They may be made ahead and
served closer to room temperature. Roasted vegetables are great! Also, anything
in a crockpot!
So the
party is over, and everyone had a great time, but you’re exhausted from being
the hostess with the mostess!
Any
pots needing to be cleaned fill with water and a squirt of soap and simmer on
the stove to loosen stuck on food or sauces.
If you can handle waking in the morning to the mess, let them soak
overnight. Not on the hot stove of course!
Fill
your washer with cold water and place your linens in the cold water to
soak. Pretreat any stains, and in the
morning you can give attention to the stains before finishing the cycle.
1 comments
Great tips! And you're definitely invited.;) :0
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