{"id":1810,"date":"2023-12-15T09:36:46","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T09:36:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecookaway.com\/blog\/?p=1810"},"modified":"2023-12-15T18:04:20","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T18:04:20","slug":"our-top-tips-for-entertaining-over-the-christmas-period","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thecookaway.com\/blog\/our-top-tips-for-entertaining-over-the-christmas-period\/","title":{"rendered":"Our top tips for entertaining over the Christmas period\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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While Christmas should be a time of festivities and joy, filled with good food and even better company \u2013 when it comes to entertaining, the pressure is on. With big expectations and bigger appetites \u2013 keeping your guests merry on the big day can often require a lot of work behind the scenes.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

So, whether you\u2019re planning a party of two or twenty-two, Cookaway is here to help relieve some stress in the lead-up to the big day. From dealing with fussy eaters to staying on budget, here are a few helpful tips for entertaining at Christmas \u2013 from our pro chefs themselves.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Setting the scene is all-important\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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First things first, make your home look the part by putting up your Christmas decorations. Get the Christmas music going, light up the tree, hang the mistletoe and deck the halls \u2013 quite literally! Doing this all in advance can really help to save time on the big day.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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When decorating, it can be easy to neglect your dining table \u2013 but this will be the centre of your spread, so dressing it up can really elevate your Christmas party. Our chefs suggest starting with a centrepiece, and going from there \u2013 a runner, for example, can be a great background to your decorations whilst providing a symmetrical finish.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

While you obviously still need room for food, holly, bells and acorns all make great little accessories to decorate your table. And of course, it wouldn\u2019t be a Christmas party meal without the obligatory Christmas cracker.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Don\u2019t be afraid to do it differently\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

While everyone has their Christmas traditions, don\u2019t be afraid to shake things up and try something new for a change. Whether it’s the food, the theme, the decorations \u2013 or whatever you feel is getting stale.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you\u2019re tired of having the same old dry turkey, for example, find a more exciting recipe, or better yet try a Cookaway box! Our festive recipe kits<\/a> are sure to impress the most demanding of guests.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you\u2019re feeling particularly adventurous, why not try embracing a new cuisine as part of your dinner party spread. At Cookaway, we believe that food is all about bringing people together, and so we have recipes created by top chefs all over the world. Why not make your own traditions?\u00a0Instead of dry old turkey, try something like our British Beef Wellington<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Beef\r\n
British Beef Wellington Experience<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Consider dietary requirements<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Knowing all the dietary requirements of your guests before you buy your party food can help avoid any last-minute drama. Luckily, there are so many more options now for vegetarians, vegans or those with food intolerances, so nobody needs to feel like they\u2019re missing out.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

From nut roasts to vegan desserts, having options and swaps will make sure all your guests feel catered for. When it comes to beverages, consider having water, fruit juices and non-alcoholic drinks for those who may not want to drink.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Get the kids involved<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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When it comes to hosting the perfect Christmas, it helps to have as many hands as possible \u2013 so recruit any idle kids (or anyone for that matter) to share the load.\u00a0 While you may not want too many people in the kitchen, having someone to help top up drinks or attend to guests while you\u2019re cooking, will certainly help keep things a bit more manageable.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

And if anyone offers to do the washing up, let them \u2013 you\u2019ll likely have enough on your plate to start on the dirty dishes. A problem shared is a problem halved after all.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Preparation is everything<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It\u2019s true what they say: fail to prepare, prepare to fail! We all know how manic Christmas day can get – with wrapping paper everywhere and guests arriving left and right – so it\u2019s essential to be as prepared as possible.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Nobody wants to be running around like a headless chicken on Christmas day, so getting as many jobs done as possible before your guests arrive will help to create a more relaxed atmosphere for everybody.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This means making sure your house is tidy, your table laid, and your crockery and glassware at the ready. If you have guests staying over, prepare the bedrooms the night before \u2013 putting on fresh sheets is much harder when you have a full stomach, and it\u2019ll take away precious time that could be spent with your guests.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Beef<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Get organised<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Another handy tip for nailing your Christmas party entertainment, is tidying as you go. While it may sound like a boring task (and the last thing you want to be doing on Christmas day), maintaining a tidy space throughout the day will really help you keep on top of things. After all, nobody wants to be losing their guests in a sea of wrapping paper, packaging and sweet wrappers, or creating tripping hazards for any older members of the family.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Having bags ready for waste and assigning a section of the kitchen for dirty dishes, will help to create order amongst all the chaos.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Set a budget<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

We know all too well how easy it is to get carried away during the festive season \u2013 with many of us bringing out the good old \u201cit\u2019s Christmas\u201d excuse midway through November. And while Christmas is a time to indulge, it\u2019s still wise to set a budget \u2013 and more importantly, to stick to it!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

From the presents and decorations, to the food and drink, Christmas can be a costly time for people \u2013 especially those hosting. So, it\u2019s important to set a reasonable budget and keep track of your spending as you go.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If your budget doesn\u2019t quite stretch far enough, don\u2019t be afraid to ask your guests to contribute a bottle of wine or some tasty nibbles. Going recklessly over budget will result in having a very long January before your next payday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It\u2019s about the people, not showing off\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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While everyone wants to be the host with the most, don\u2019t forget what Christmas is all about \u2013 spending time with the people that we care most about. Our Xmas entertainment can be one of the few times that we see distant relatives or old friends, so make sure you take the time to appreciate their company.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It\u2019s all too easy to get swept up in the whirlwind that is preparing the Christmas party meal, so when you can step out of the kitchen, do so. Our Cookaway kits can be a great way to take the stress out of hosting, and give you more time to spend with your nearest and dearest.\u00a0That said, some canapes<\/a> to kick things off always impress.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Christmas<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Write down a plan\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

With so much to remember, we always find it helpful to have a list. When oven space is tight, it\u2019s extra important to be on it with your timings. There\u2019s no worse feeling than having lots of hungry guests asking how much longer food will be\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Factoring in times for initial prep, and even your guests arriving and leaving can help you run a tight ship. Don\u2019t worry you can always add in downtime too!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Having a plan for your cooking can really help to relieve the stress of entertaining at Christmas \u2013 so you know how long dishes take to prepare and cook. All our Cookaway kits come with a helpful cooking guide to take all the hard work and guesstimates out of it.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Enjoy it!<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Whilst the thought of hosting the Christmas party entertainment can be enough to strike fear in many, remember that it\u2019s Christmas, the most magical time of the year \u2013 so make sure you enjoy it.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

People are normally full of festive goodwill on the day, so nobody minds if a dish doesn\u2019t come out perfect. After all, it\u2019s not these little things that they will remember, but the feeling of all being together. Despite the month-long preparation, Christmas Day only lasts 24 hours \u2013 so remember to enjoy it while it lasts!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Say thank you<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

When all the food has been eaten, the presents opened and your guests have gone home \u2013 make sure to show them some appreciation for attending your party. A hand-written thank you note is a thoughtful touch, and always goes down well.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Writing them as soon as guests leave means that you are less likely to forget, and can include personal details from your time together.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Make it personal<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you really want to impress your guests, go the extra mile and get them individual gifts. These don\u2019t have to cost a lot or could even be handmade \u2013 but adding a personal touch to these will ensure they mean more to your guests.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Party favours like a tin of shortbread or a small bottle of Baileys always go down a treat at Christmas time.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Christmas<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Get prepared, and you\u2019ll have the best Christmas ever<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Now that you\u2019re armed with all our super helpful tips, your Christmas party entertainment is sure to be a hit. Remember to give yourself a head start, by setting the scene and preparing as much as you can before your guests arrive. Once you\u2019ve got your organised to-do list, stay calm and most importantly, enjoy it – you\u2019ll do great!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

And if you still feel overwhelmed, take all the stress out of hosting this festive season with a Cookaway meal kit. Whether you try our Greek Meze<\/a>, or another of our dozens of menus, you’ll have a Christmas that’s less stressful, and more delicious. With recipes created by pro chefs, and premium ingredients delivered to your door \u2013 make your Christmas gathering one to remember, with Cookaway.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Merry Christmas, from all of us at Cookaway.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Browse our Christmas menus\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Cookaway<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\u00a0<\/div>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Keeping your guests full of festive joy at Christmas can be tough! Here are our tips for making the season smooth sailing. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":1845,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":""},"categories":[6,73,10,16],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nOur top tips for entertaining at Christmas time | Cookaway<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From setting the table to making sure everyone's dietary needs are catered for, we've put together some top tips for hosting this Christmas time.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thecookaway.com\/blog\/our-top-tips-for-entertaining-over-the-christmas-period\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Our top 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