Hosting Like a Pro this Holiday Season!

This post was written by Vera Sweeney, a Long Island-based blogger from Lady and the Blog.

With the holiday season underway, many of us are looking forward to lots of holiday parties and festivities over the next few weeks. There’s just something so wonderful about gathering with friends and family, sharing delicious food, and reflecting on the joyful experiences that the past year has brought.

The holidays can also be super hectic and hosting a party can add even more stress. I love to host and wanted to share some of my go-to tips for hosting like a pro this holiday season.

1. Have a go-to dish to bring/make

Having a signature dish that all of your friends and family grow to expect you will bring gets people excited right when they walk in the door. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to really get to know the recipe, tweak it to match your needs, and practically shop for the ingredients in your sleep.

For me, holiday themed small bites like these holly pretzels are fun, easy-to-make desserts that can quickly become your go-to. I’ve gotten pretty efficient with the recipe (translation: less stress buying ingredients and baking the dish) and I think these mini desserts are a treat for the eyes as well as the stomach.

2. Get to know your guests with a holiday activity/craft

Nothing is worse than feeling like you don’t know anyone at a party. Since I love to invite family and friends from different parts of my life, I’ve found it really nice to have a festive ice breaker or craft activity that gets people working together and chatting. One thing that we’ve really enjoyed recently is making holiday cards to donate to the local homeless shelter for their holiday meals.

3. Get your supplies delivered

I often don’t have the time to make multiple trips to the grocery store to pick up all the necessary food and drink for my guests (not to mention the strength needed to carry multiple cases of my favorite Perrier® sparkling water up the stairs to my house!). This is why I cannot tell you how much I love the ReadyRefresh by Nestlé beverage delivery service. Not only can you pick from a range of waters, they get delivered right to your door…no lugging up stairs required! With all of the indulgent foods we eat over the holidays, having a steady supply of water to keep your family healthy and hydrated can give you peace of mind, and is one less thing on an ever growing to-do list.

Feeling especially festive? Try all three of the above tips at your next holiday party. If you have any other great suggestions or want to share pics of your holiday hosting, share them with me at veryvera@gmail.com.