Whether you’re a pro or novice, it’s good to keep calm and grounded with highlights from the collective hosting bible.
Hosting over the festive season is typically equal parts exciting and exhausting. Whether you adore blooms and foliage, lean towards the creative and sentimental or simply can’t delve deep enough into the world of gastronomy; moments (or whole days) of overwhelm are pretty much a standard part of the experience.
It doesn’t help that we tend to over-promise, overthink and get lost in the haze of wanting to be the perfect host. For some the pressure piles at the mere thought of a nit-picking loved one, how much we’d like to impress using our skills or plan something for the first time.
Read more: How to host the perfect friendsmas
Set the mood
When planning a theme try starting with inspiration from what’s readily available in your area and for rent. Fun, multi-use items can live a life beyond the festivities and serve you more than once if you choose wisely and shift the main focus to one or two detailed items that drive the theme home.
Think about how using plain colours and textures might maximise the versatility for future hosting, especially if you’re planning to expand your collection of crockery and linens.
Tip: Try sourcing eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives. Think decorations that are home compostable or fun paper plates to top plate chargers if you’re opting for a more casual style. Bamboo and wooden plates are a great option for the right theme too.
Once you’ve settled on your themes and schemes, personalised digital invitations are a great way to save paper and go hard with setting the tone for your theme. For place cards and favours, choose items that can be repurposed like seed packets, fabric napkins and photographs or vintage postcards.
Take a little time with the details
While the thought of a centrepiece may conjure artistic images of ikebana style blooms and avant-guard flair, there are so many ways to create interesting centrepieces with things you have in your home.
A large wooden bowl stuck together with glue or binded with string becomes a spherical work of art to decorate with flowers or details – the same bowl balanced on a straight vase with fairy lights inside, becomes a moody light source.
Playing with colour and light often means reducing the need for splurging on additional expensive items like crockery and flatware. A great tablecloth or runner paired with some foliage and blooms can make a big impact with simple white flatware and glassware dressed with a small detail like a drink marker or colourful sugar/salt rim. Think about how to plan the details so the basic foundational items are hardworking and versatile.
Tip: Remember to use natural, non-toxic or food-safe paints and dyes for any decor items, particularly if it’ll come in contact with your food.
Enjoy the fresh air and greenery
Sticking to just flowers and foliage is such a limited way of approaching arrangements and highlighted garden scapes. Why not play with herbs to place on the patio table as an arrangement or set your table up in your kitchen garden so the herbaceous smells can linger in your guests memory.
Tip: If you purchase flowers, choose locally sourced and seasonal blooms to reduce your impact on the environment.
The outdoors are not just for green fingers and unwinding in style. Garden games and treasure hunts are a great way to add some excitement for kids and adults alike.
Tip: For a fail-safe day of entertaining and fun, find your local tent suppliers and book a tent for your garden as a lead character in your entertaining setups.
Host, Eat, RESET 101
Plan your menu
Plan a menu that minimises food waste. Use seasonal, locally sourced ingredients that mostly hold well as leftovers and try leaning towards a produce-heavy menu rather than one with tons of meat. Remember that homegrown and responsibly sourced plant-based dishes lower your carbon footprint.
Prep ahead
To reduce the time spent frazzled on the day or your entertain, prep as much as possible ahead. Think of it as a professional kitchen where meat, poultry and fish are broken down into the cut needed for the menu. Then repeat with your produce by cleaning, portioning, chopping and organising to keep things as fresh as possible until cooked or plated. Try using every part of each ingredient to its maximum potential. Think stock, jus, garnishes and layers in your meal and what’s left can then be composted.
Mise en place
Using your grill or including braai elements? Prep, clean and restock those areas as needed for your menu. If you’re starting with coal, have it ready with your tools of the trade. This should include griddle pans, basting brushes, a jug of water and the racks, bowls or platters you’ll be transferring the cooked food onto.
In terms of plating and presentation, set your kitchen counter up in such a way that each element is organised for maximum efficiency and beautiful presentation. This ensues you’re able to send dishes out and finalise hte cooking while being your charming self and enjoying the company of your guests.
Tipple and tiny things
A few well thought out starters and hors d’oeuvres paired with a few great drinks are a good way to make sure guests don’t get grumpy from hunger while easing into the occasion and chatting amongst themselves when you’re finishing up or preparing the mains and desserts.
Setting up a bar cart or drinks table is a great way to get guests comfortable with just a little bit of independence. Waiting around to be served can be a little frustrating if your guest needs a quick glass of water or some ice for their drink so self-service at a well-prepped station that includes a few fun garnishes is a great alternative.
To sweeten the deal, try sourcing a few individual chocolates or small bite-sized sweet treats as an alternative to dessert. Some of your guests or loved ones may want to finish off with something sweet that’s not too big of a commitment after a hearty meal. Think of it as the modern thin mint, available with some coffee or a lovely spiced tea to balance the richness of the menu.
RESET!
And just like that, days (if not weeks) of planning turns to bones, scraps and dishes in the blink of an eye. You’re left alone in silence staring your kitchen down with tired eyes.
We suggest booking a service to take the cleaning adventure off your hands but if that’s not possible due to budget or your location, set up clearly marked recycling and composting stations to ensure waste is sorted properly as the occasion progresses and do a 30 minute blitz sort to reduce the load for the following morning.
ALSO SEE: YOUR GUIDE TO HOSTING AN UNFORGETTABLE WINE TASTING AT HOME
Image: Pexels | A version of this article was originally publishd by Garden&Home.
