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How to Guide: Getting ready for hosting Christmas
• Fusion Living Limited
With Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to start preparing for one of the most exciting and magical days of the year. Taking on the responsibility of hosting a Christmas party or dinner is unlike any other dinner party throughout the year. We all know that Christmas can be a stressful time, especially if you’re in the kitchen. Christmas is a time when people usually stop working to relax and spend more time with family and loved ones. While your guests enjoy the festive fun, you’ll likely feel overwhelmed and stressed just thinking about the preparation.
To make your life that bit easier, we have compiled a complete guide for hosting the ultimate Christmas dinner. If you’re not sure where to start, we cover the preparation steps you need to take as well as our best hosting tips, what to avoid on the special day, our ultimate checklist and the essential items you need from Fusion Living to make your day magical. Follow our advice and tips, and you’ll be well on your way to hosting a flawless festive gathering. Now let the festive planning commence!
Table of Contents
How to prepare for your Christmas gathering
How to prepare for your Christmas gathering
The best way to have a smooth and enjoyable Christmas party is to plan and prepare ahead of time. The more you can do before your guests arrive, the more time you can spend with them. Think of every last detail to create a Christmas gathering that people won't forget. We have broken down each preparation step to make it as easy and stress-free as possible for you and your guests.
Types of Christmas gatherings
There are many types of Christmas gatherings for you and your loved ones to enjoy. It doesn’t have to be the typical Christmas dinner setting. You can experiment and choose from our ideas.
- Host a Secret Santa dinner - Each group member must randomly select another person's name and purchase a gift just for them. A great way to cut back on spending a fortune on gifts.
- Host a fancy take-out dinner - If cooking isn’t your strength, why not suggest getting a nice takeaway? Think of one where you can all share dishes and go pick them up so it's fresh.
- Host a Potluck - Each guest brings their favourite home-cooked or store-bought dish. What everyone brings is a potluck, but at least there will be variation.
- Host a picky dinner - The easiest way to cater for a large group of people is to choose picky party food. That way, there will be something for everyone, and it takes some of the stress off the kitchen because some of this could be store-bought.
Picking a theme
Think outside of the box when it comes to your theme. We are all about being cost-efficient, so think about how your home is normally decorated for Christmas. Think about the tableware you already own and try to match your theme to that. A few ideas we’ve come up with include:
- Winter Wonderland
- Masquerade
- Christmas pyjama party
- Christmas jumpers
- Traditional
Decorations
We know that Christmas is an expensive time of the year, and you don’t want to be adding to an ever-growing Christmas list. Use the decorations you already own, or even get handy and make some new ones. Get the little ones involved and make an afternoon of it.
Entertainment
When it comes to entertainment, think smaller. Get a selection of games the whole family can play together. Make a Christmas playlist with family favourites that you can play in the background. This will get the family feeling festive and singing along.
Create a memorable menu
Now, this might be the most important part; you want your guests to enjoy and remember your food. Make sure you find out if anyone has any allergies or dietary requirements before you start planning. Keep it simple, as I’m sure you’re cooking for quite a few people. This is a great opportunity to get the family involved and delegate dishes. It takes the stress off you too.
Traditions
Do you normally have family traditions that you do every year? These can create some of the most special memories and are moments you look forward to every year. Why not think of a new one you could introduce or if you don't do any, this is a great opportunity to start. A few of our favourites include taking a Christmas family photo, going carol singing, playing holiday hide and seek, honouring a loved one and building a gingerbread house. There are hundreds to choose from but whichever ones you choose to incorporate into your Christmas gathering, you’ll be grateful for.
Suggest a dress code
Let’s be honest, we normally all like to buy a new outfit for Christmas, so why not have fun with it and suggest a dress code? This could fit nicely with your overall dinner party theme and look great in all your pictures.
Christmas table setting
We know that the table is the star of the show. It has to be perfect and you probably want to do this yourself. You need to make sure you have enough tables and chairs to seat your guests. This is something you need to think about weeks in advance in case you need to borrow or buy. We stock a huge range of dining chairs and dining tables for you to choose from. We suggest setting up your table the night before the Christmas party. This means that you aren’t rushing around and you can really take a minute to admire it.
Delegate
Christmas gatherings are busy and overwhelming. You have family and friends surrounding you who want to help. Make sure you delegate some of the tasks you need to complete to the people around you. They want to help you and it will take some of the weight off your shoulders, so you get the chance to enjoy the day too. Make a plan beforehand with the person and let them know in advance in case they need to prepare.
The ultimate preparation checklist for Christmas parties
At least one month in advance:
- Pick your Christmas theme.
- Send invitations to your nearest and dearest.
- Plan and decide on your menu.
- Give the house a deep clean before putting up decorations.
- Choose your decorations.
- Create a Christmas playlist to have on in the background.
- Arrange any entertainment or games for you all to play.
1-2 weeks in advance:
- Clear out and clean your fridge so you have space.
- Buy food and drink that can be frozen/stored until the big day.
- Put up your decorations.
- Begin preparing any starters or desserts that can be frozen.
- Check your RSVPs and chase any outstanding invites.
- Make sure you have enough chairs and tables to seat your guests.
- Send out any other information for guests, such as any food or drink they should bring, if there is a dress code and what time they should arrive.
The day before:
- Set your beautiful table.
- Prepare as much of your menu as you can.
- Give the home a quick clean, especially the areas most likely to get used, i.e. kitchen and bathroom.
- Clear a space to hold your guests’ coats and bags.
Top Tips for Hosting
- Make sure you prepare as much as you can.
- Set a budget and stick to it.
- Set low expectations. Then everyone will be shocked and you’ll create lasting memories.
- Instead of buying loads of different alcoholic drinks, make a special Christmas cocktail.
- Move any unnecessary kitchen equipment off the kitchen tops so you have extra room.
- Work out all your timings beforehand, check what needs cooking first and how long for and then follow a plan.
- Let your Christmas meats reach room temperature, as this will reduce the cooking time.
- Make sure you give yourself enough time to make yourself presentable, even if it’s just 10 minutes. (Think about the Christmas group photos)
- Try not to drink too much alcohol before and during the preparation. Enjoy a nice glass of wine when you sit down to eat.
- Remember to be a happy host; your energy reflects the Christmas spirit.
The dos and don’ts for Christmas hosting
- Always make sure that you’re on time, but never early.
- Do not attempt a new recipe on the day of your Christmas party. It's a disaster waiting to happen.
- Bring a gift, whether it’s food, drink or an actual gift. The host will be grateful.
- Be considerate towards older members of the family.
- Try not to leave anyone out when it comes to games and entertainment.
- Remember, gifts don’t need to be expensive. Make them thoughtful.
- Always show gratitude to the host but also to family and friends.
Fusion Living’s essential items
Here at Fusion Living, we have chosen some of our high-quality, stylish pieces that we think are essential for your Christmas hosting. From comfy dining chairs to large dining tables and stylish sideboards, we’ve got you covered.
Seating
Seating is an essential item in every gathering. Make sure you have enough seats for all your family and friends to sit comfortably on. We stock an extensive range of both chairs and bar stools for you to choose from. Discover our luxury velvet chairs, stackable chairs, which are perfect for storing away after the party and our barstool with backs delivering comfort. All our seating options come in a host of styles, materials and colours for you to pick from.
Tables
You need to make sure you have enough space around your table for everyone to fit. If you don’t, it might be a good idea to purchase an extra table to use. You can choose between large dining tables, extendable dining tables, small dining tables, and so many more. Choose one that will fit best in your space and you know you’ll get lots of use from after Christmas. All our tables come in a range of styles, shapes, materials and colours for you to choose from.
Storage
Having enough space in your house for everyone to come around and enjoy might be tight. It could be a good idea to have a clear-out and organise some of your belongings. Creating a designated space for your guests belonging will keep your house tidy and less stressful. We have some great storage options for you to pick from, including our modern chest of drawers, which are ideal for storing jackets and coats, our stylish sideboards, perfect for keeping keys and wallets safe and our beautiful collection of side units. All our storage options come in a selection of styles, sizes, materials and colours for you to choose from.
Lighting
Making sure all your guests can see the space and it’s lit up correctly is essential to keeping your guests safe but also creating an atmosphere. Whether you want to freshen your current pendants, add some table lamps in for extra light or make a statement with a modern floor light, we have you covered.
Clocks
When it comes to cooking times and making sure you have everything ready in time for your guests’ arrival, you need a reliable and stylish clock. At Fusion Living, we have an array of styles to suit any interior space. To make sure your home is cosy and comfy for your guests.
Now you know everything you need to host a memorable Christmas for your loved ones. If you follow our how-to guide, we can guarantee you a magical and organised Christmas party. Use our preparation guide, top tips and checklists to start your planning now and get everything in order for the big day. Purchase any essential items you need ahead of time so they can be delivered on time. Doing this can create an experience for your guests and yourself to enjoy, treasure and remember for a long time.
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