Top tips for stress free entertaining
Plenty of people have swapped going out for meals in restaurants for staying at home in order to save money at the moment, but this can mean that you miss catching up with your friends for a good gossip.
An excellent alternative - and one that lots of Brits are cottoning on to thanks to TV series’ like Come Dine With Me - is hosting dinner parties.
This is a good way to see your nearest and dearest, have a good time and eat plenty of tasty food without having to book tables and pay a premium for it.
However, entertaining can sometimes be a little bit stressful if you don't prepare properly.
Make sure your evening goes smoothly and leaves you stress-free by planning carefully and leaving nothing to chance.
Firstly, send out invitations with an RSVP at least two weeks in advance so that your guests can organise babysitters and other formalities, and then follow them up to check whether any of your confirmed attendees have any special requirements (for example, are they vegetarian?)
Don't be tempted to invite too many people - between six and ten is plenty.
Next, draw up a menu based on your skills as a chef - and be realistic. If you know you're no good at soufflés, this isn't the time to attempt them. Instead, stick to something you know you will be able to rustle up and buy in all the ingredients before hand, putting perishables on a list ready for the day of the party or the evening before.
Try to avoid dishes that will require you to spend all evening in the kitchen too. It's your night, so you don't want to be slaving over a hot stove instead of talking to your guests. Where possible, prepare some steps of the recipes in advance so they are ready to cook just before each course and try to clean a little as you go so there isn't a huge mess at the end.
Make sure you have enough crockery in the house too, as your stress levels are sure to rise if you have to rush around borrowing plates and spoons when you should be putting on your party dress!
Finally, put jugs of water on the table and provide different kinds of drinks - don't forget the non-alcoholic ones - so that everyone is catered for when they begin to arrive and take their seats.
Your party should go without a hitch if you follow these tips, so smile and enjoy it!
An excellent alternative - and one that lots of Brits are cottoning on to thanks to TV series’ like Come Dine With Me - is hosting dinner parties.
This is a good way to see your nearest and dearest, have a good time and eat plenty of tasty food without having to book tables and pay a premium for it.
However, entertaining can sometimes be a little bit stressful if you don't prepare properly.
Make sure your evening goes smoothly and leaves you stress-free by planning carefully and leaving nothing to chance.
Firstly, send out invitations with an RSVP at least two weeks in advance so that your guests can organise babysitters and other formalities, and then follow them up to check whether any of your confirmed attendees have any special requirements (for example, are they vegetarian?)
Don't be tempted to invite too many people - between six and ten is plenty.
Next, draw up a menu based on your skills as a chef - and be realistic. If you know you're no good at soufflés, this isn't the time to attempt them. Instead, stick to something you know you will be able to rustle up and buy in all the ingredients before hand, putting perishables on a list ready for the day of the party or the evening before.
Try to avoid dishes that will require you to spend all evening in the kitchen too. It's your night, so you don't want to be slaving over a hot stove instead of talking to your guests. Where possible, prepare some steps of the recipes in advance so they are ready to cook just before each course and try to clean a little as you go so there isn't a huge mess at the end.
Make sure you have enough crockery in the house too, as your stress levels are sure to rise if you have to rush around borrowing plates and spoons when you should be putting on your party dress!
Finally, put jugs of water on the table and provide different kinds of drinks - don't forget the non-alcoholic ones - so that everyone is catered for when they begin to arrive and take their seats.
Your party should go without a hitch if you follow these tips, so smile and enjoy it!
Related articles...
Catch up with friends and feel good
The hectic pace of modern life can make it difficult to find time for socialis...
Did you know the sun can make us happy? When the sun is shining, it’s diff...
How to get a better night’s sleep…
We've all heard about how we should be getting eight hours' sleep each night, bu...
