How to Entertain With Less Stress and More Joy!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! But when you’re the host, sometimes the holidays can feel more stressful than wonderful. Between decorating, menu planning, cooking, keeping kids entertained, and ensuring your guests are comfortable, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But with some organization and a game plan, you can enjoy the celebration just as much as your guests! Here are some practical tips for entertaining this holiday season with less stress and more joy!

Prep Ahead for Peace of Mind

The key to stress-free entertaining is organized preparation. You can likely get 80 percent of the work done before anyone shows up. Here’s how to set yourself up for success:

1. Plan Your Menu Early: Plan your menu a week or two in advance, and write a detailed grocery list. Opt for dishes you’ve made before or ones that can be partially prepared ahead of time. Think casseroles, slow-cooker options, or desserts that freeze well.  In Houston, it’s often warm enough to grill outside. If that’s appropriate for your party, choose items you can grill. It’s a great way to draw people outside and give yourself more space in the kitchen.
2. Set the Table the Day Before: Don’t leave table setting for the last minute! Lay out your tableware, napkins, and decorations a day or two before the party. If you can’t set your table a day ahead, pull your table settings out and store them in the pantry, laundry room or another space, so you can quickly retrieve them before your event.
3. Make a Timeline: Draft a timeline of the day, including when you ideally would like to eat, what time dishes should need to go in the oven, what time people are arriving, etc. Maintain some flexibility as everything will probaby not go exactly as planned and that’s ok. However, a timeline will help you stay on track and keep your event moving at a comfortable pace.
4. Create a Checklist: Break down your prep into manageable chunks: cleaning, cooking, decorating, and organizing activities for kids. Checking off tasks as you complete them is both satisfying and keeps you organized.

Keep Kids Happy and Entertained

Planning activities for the kids ahead of time to ensure they’re entertained while you focus on other tasks. A few ideas: 

1. Designate a Kid Zone
   Set up a dedicated space with games, crafts, or holiday-themed activities like these large coloring sheets. Get out simple supplies like markers, stickers, and crayons. If the weather is nice, a scavenger hunt is a great way to get kids outside. If you’re serving dinner, these holiday activity placemats are a fun way to give younger kids an activity during the meal.

2. Movie Time!
   If the kids are old enough, consider setting up a cozy movie corner with holiday classics. Add bean bags and blankets and popcorn for a special touch. This a great after-dinner activity to keep them occupied for a couple hours.
3. Enlist a Teen Helper
   If you’ve got a responsible teenager in the mix, ask them to keep the younger kids entertained. You can even sweeten the deal with a little extra holiday cash or a gift card!

Create a Comfortable Environment

A welcoming environment sets the tone for a memorable gathering. Small touches make a big difference when creating a cozy and inviting space for your guests.

1. Adjust the Lighting
   Use lamps and dimmer lighting for a warm ambiance. Add string lights around windows or doorways for extra holiday cheer. 
2. Declutter Common Areas
   Focus your cleaning efforts on areas guests will frequent, like the living room, dining room, and bathroom. Clear away clutter, add a few seasonal decorations, and ensure there are enough comfortable seating options.
3. Make It Cozy
   A fire and candles make your home extra cozy. In Houston, you may have to crank the a/c a little to keep the temp comfortable with a fire going, but it’s worth it for the charm of a fire. Of course if it’s too warm or unsafe for younger guests, you could always put a yule log on the TV! You’ll give your guests a good chuckle when they enter. 

Draw Guests Away From The Kitchen

You’ve likely experienced this: guests congregate in the kitchen while you’re trying to cook or plate food. While it’s lovely to chat, it can slow you down. Here are some ways to encourage them to mingle elsewhere:

1. Set Up a Drinks Station
   Create a self-serve drink station in the living room or another area away from the kitchen. Stock it with wine, cocktails, or a make-your-own hot cocoa bar to draw people out of your workspace.
2. Appetizer Placement is Key
   Position appetizers in the living room or dining area so guests naturally gravitate toward those spaces. This keeps the kitchen from becoming a traffic jam.
3. Be Honest (and Gracious)
   If you need some space, it’s perfectly fine to say something like, “I’m so excited to catch up with you at dinner, give me a few minutes to pull this together, and then let’s chat!”

Enlist Your Family’s Help

Hosting is a team effort, and your family can play a big part in making the day run smoothly. Involve them in the planning and execution to share the workload:

1. Make Cleaning a Family Affair
   Clean as you go and enlist the help of family to do the dishes and other clean up. Guests, especially family, usually want to help. The best way to keep helping hands efficient and useful is to ask them to handle a specific task. For example, “Ashley, can you and Laura clear the table. Dad will do the dishes. Jonathan, please load the dishwasher, and I’ll put up all the place settings and drink wear.”
2. Encourage Ownership
   Let family members take charge of one aspect of the party, like picking the playlist or arranging flowers. This lightens your load and makes everyone feel involved.
3. Ask Family Members to Bring Something
   Have family members bring dishes, games, cocktail recipe with the ingredients, or desserts. If you like to control the menu, think of non-food items they can bring. Most guests love to contribute and will gladly bring something. It’s best to let them know ahead of time what you would like so you get items that contribute to your event and take some of the work and expense off you. 

Final Touches for Joyful Hosting

Lastly, remember that no gathering is perfect—and it doesn’t need to be! The holidays are about connection, not perfection. If something goes wrong, it’s likely no one noticed but you. Your guests will follow your lead and focus on the fun, not the flaws.

By prepping ahead, creating a welcoming environment, keeping kids entertained, and involving your family, you can focus on what truly matters: enjoying the company of your loved ones. Take a deep breath, grab a festive drink, and relish the holiday magic you’ve created!