Essential tips for hosting your first Christmas lunch

If you’ve decided to host your first Christmas lunch, then you might be a little bit stressed right now.

You’ve already invited all your friends and family and now you need to live up to expectations of what a successful Christmas lunch needs to be.

From the food to the decor, everything has to be perfect.

Well, as close to perfection as it can get for a first-timer.

Here are some essential tips to help you throw a successful and stress-free Christmas lunch.

Plan your menu in advance

By now you should have an idea of what you will be serving on the day.

If, however, you haven’t gotten around to that yet you can decide if you want to stick to a traditional Christmas meal or opt for a more modern twist.

Being your first time, it’s probably easier to stick to what you know best. If you’ve never made a glazed gammon before, now is not the best time to do so.

However, if you want to try something new, consider making it at least once before the big day.

Stick to one main dish. By doing so you can focus on perfecting it. Don’t forget about the side dishes though. Even then, you can keep it simple.

Last but not least, there’s the dessert. A simple trifle or fridge tart is easy to make and always pleases a crowd.

Delegate and ask for help

To make things easier for yourself, don’t feel like you have to do everything on your own.

Ask family or friends to bring a dish or help with set-up.

For example, someone could bring a dessert or a side dish to lighten your load.

Prepare ahead of time

The more you can prepare in advance, the less stressful the day will be.

Chopping vegetables takes time, so why not do it the day before?

Instead of rushing around to try and set up a beautiful table on the day, try and do so the night before.

Many desserts can be pre-made as well. In fact, fridge tarts are best made a day in advance.

Set the mood

Create a festive atmosphere with Christmas-themed decorations.

A simple centrepiece, candles, and some fairy lights can make a big impact.

Christmas crackers are a fun addition to any table setting.

Don’t forget to have a playlist of holiday music to keep the vibe cheerful.

Have a drinks station

Set up a self-serve drinks area with options like wine, beer, or ingredients for guests to make their own cocktails.

Provide glasses, ice, and garnishes to make it easy for guests to help themselves.

This way, you don’t have to be the one making sure that your guests’ glasses stay full.

Stay relaxed and flexible

Things might not go perfectly, and that’s okay.

Guests will remember the warmth and effort you put in, not the small mishaps.

Clean as you go

Avoid a massive post-lunch cleanup by tidying up as you cook and serve.

Enlist help from guests after the meal to make this process quicker and easier. – IOL Lifestyle