If you’re in charge of hosting the parties on this season’s social calendar, chances are you’ve got plenty on your plate. From meal prepping, cleaning, and decorating to keeping track of all the small details, making sure your holiday social goes without a hitch can feel overwhelming!
Fortunately, there are a few ways to achieve your ultimate goal of stress-free holiday entertaining. Use these tips to get started.
1. Make a List and Check it Twice
The first step in planning any holiday event is putting together a game plan. Consider all of the things on your mental list of to-dos like cooking, decorating, and entertaining. Then, put them all down on paper.
As you write down your checklist, be sure to break up big goals into smaller, manageable pieces — don’t leave out the smaller details. Then, assign yourself manageable tasks to complete every day leading up to your event. Not only will this tactic help make holidays easy, but checking things off your list as you go will feel remarkably rewarding.
2. Test Out Your Recipes Beforehand
Second on our list of stress-free holiday entertaining tips — make sure your menu goes above and beyond with tried and true recipes. No holiday party or event can be truly spectacular unless it features meals that impress, so practice your extra-special dishes ahead of the big day.
Consider investing in delicious catering options if meal prepping or cooking makes you feel overwhelmed. After all, stress-free holiday entertaining sometimes means spending a little extra in exchange for a calm state of mind.
3. Ensure Your Furniture and Appliances are Up to Par
Whether you’re planning a feast fit for kings or suspect you’ll have a few overnight guests, make sure your furniture and appliances are ready to accommodate! You don’t want a stove that cooks unevenly when preparing meals or inadequate seating for your party guests. Instead, consider updating any broken or damaged items that can make your event feel more stressful than necessary.
And if you’re hosting on a budget or need upgrades immediately, we’ve got you covered. Take your living room furniture from slim to spacious with our 2PC Accrington Sectional, or get unbeatable Bake Assist features with the Amana Stainless Coil Top Electric Range. At Rent-A-Center, you’ll find a wide array of items that can help up your holiday hosting game and reduce stress as you check off your to-do list.
4. Set-Up the Night Before
Envision your event’s layout, and then put it into action the day before your event. Set up your dinner table with drinks, plates, and decor, restock your bathroom’s toiletries, rearrange furniture, and organize anything else on your list ahead of the party. This way, you can do your all-time best holiday entertaining without feeling frazzled and overwhelmed on the day of.
5. Make Sure Your Guests Are Entertained
To make your celebration memorable, fun, and stress-free, give your guests what they really want — entertainment! Implement games, activities, or even make your holiday entertaining ideas Christmas-themed with White Elephant gift giving.
And if you’re looking for a great way to get the party started, try out Rent-A-Center’s Sony High-Power Home Audio System. You can treat your guests to great tunes, quality sound, karaoke options, and even LED speaker lights! In the end, guaranteeing that perfect outcome sometimes means letting your hair down for a little impromptu fun.
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