3 Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Entertaining
This journal entry was developed in partnership with Hazelkin, a gift and lifestyle shop – and our neighbor! – in Old Town Mankato. Shop Hazelkin’s beautiful store for your entertaining and gifting needs this holiday season.
Holiday decor from Hazelkin
The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner. From Thanksgiving through New Year’s, we get to spend time with loved ones, enjoy delicious meals, and give thanks for all of the little things in our lives.
While this time of year is something we all look forward to, hosting can sometimes feel a bit hectic or overwhelming as well. As an event space, we’ve gotten to see firsthand how some of the hosting “pros” tackle entertaining seamlessly.
Here are the top three tips we have for stress-free holiday entertaining:
01. Plan Ahead
Create a detailed list of everything you need to do to prepare, including decorations, menu, drinks, and activities. Set timelines for yourself so that you can begin working through your to-do list ahead of time.
Bonus: Once your menu is planned out, consider ordering your groceries online to save hours of time in-store. Use that bonus time to shop locally for decorations, gifts, and serveware.
02. Set the Mood
Keep your decorations simple and elegant, focusing on key holiday elements. Invest in quality, timeless pieces that you can use for years to come.
Consider incorporating some of the meal preparation as an activity during your gathering. From frosting the cookies and whipping up the salad to decorating and setting the table, delegating these tasks as activities while you’re together will free up your time and entertain your guests.
Bonus: Consider choosing a fun theme each year for your family gathering. This is a great way to build a unique menu and get other family members involved in helping with the cooking and preparation. (Plus, there is such a thing as too much ham and turkey, are we right?!)
Holiday decor from Hazelkin
03. Make Ahead
From batch cocktails to side dishes that are even better leftover, don’t be afraid of preparing what you can ahead of time. Even better: Share your favorite recipes with your guests and ask them to help prepare the dishes ahead of time so you can all enjoy more relaxing time together the day of.
Are You a Guest?
If you’re not hosting this year and are simply a guest, here are some ways you can support the host:
Offer Assistance – Ask what dish you can prepare or what beverage supplies need to be picked up the day of.
Thoughtful Gift – Stop by your favorite boutique for a thoughtful hostess gift.
Cleaning Duty – From clearing the table to wiping the countertops, take initiative to take whatever you can off your host’s hands during the event.
Beyond these tips, one of the biggest things to remember during this time of year is to be present. Keep things simple, laugh off the imperfections, and allow yourself space to relax, unwind, and enjoy time with those you love the most.
PS - Not sure where to host this year? Make entertaining even easier by hosting your event at Havn Co. Connect with our team to inquire about dates we still have available during the holiday season.
Cookbook and holiday decor from Hazelkin