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Kitchen Goddess

The Ten Commandments of Holiday Entertaining

Entertain and Stay Sane!

November 30, 2007
By Andrea Farnum

 
 

Yes, it’s that time of year again. Time to drag out the holiday decorations, gussy up the house and make plans for year-end festivities. Whatever the occasion, a holiday party takes a lot of work and careful preparation. Here are my top 10 tips for creating a perfect bash that will wow your friends and family.

  1. THOU SHALT PLAN AHEAD

    Whoever said the devil is in the details must have been reading my mind. Successful party planning is all about doing your homework. Inviting 20 guests for an elegant sit-down dinner? Better make sure you have enough chairs, china, silver and glassware to pull it off.

    Planning each party detail means less running around at the last minute — and there’s always something to sprint out for at zero hour. Do you think those bags of ice are going to walk into your house on their own? Make sure you put together a thorough list and check it more than twice.

  2. THOU SHALT DELEGATE

    Sometimes asking for help can be the hardest thing to do. But in these busy times, it is impossible to do it all yourself. You don’t need any strong-arm tactics to get help, no threats of a call to your cousin in Hoboken asking for a “favor.” No, finesse and flattery are the way to go: “Hello, Aunt Mary, I‘d love for you to join us for Christmas Eve dinner this year. But I know the dinner table will not be complete without your delicious Stewed Pigs’ Feet that everyone raves about. Do you think I could persuade you to make it this year?” Aunt Mary will be there with bells on.

  3. THOU SHALT PICK THE RIGHT MENU

    Let me let you in on a little caterer’s secret: Always select a party menu that can be prepped ahead of time. That means picking recipes that need only to be heated before serving or require very little last-minute fussing. If you need help, look for cookbooks and entertaining guides written by caterers and event planners. Repeat after me: Martha Stewart and the Barefoot Contessa are never wrong.

    So forget that hollandaise sauce for the asparagus. Who wants to be holed up in the kitchen all night? You invited guests because you wanted to see them, not just hear them from afar.

  4. THOU SHALT USE LOTS OF BUTTER

    This commandment is my homage to the great Julia Child. (The late chef once mused, “If you are afraid of butter, use cream.”)

    The holidays are no time to be on a diet. Forget low-fat substitutions, throw out the “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Lard” and banish carrot sticks. Holiday celebrations are all about butter and lots of it. If you must think about your health, think moderation and save the field greens for January (National Salad Month, anyone?).

    Despite a life devoted to eating and drinking, Julia Child lived until two days before her 92nd birthday. When asked to what she attributed her longevity, she responded, “Red meat and gin.”

  5. THOU SHALT SET A BEAUTIFUL TABLE

    If you are going to the trouble of cooking a fabulous holiday meal, you must have a worthy table. Dust off the real china, polish the silver and iron that tablecloth. (Yes, I said iron.) Think of the table as the frame for your artfully prepared meal.

    Setting a gorgeous table doesn’t mean you have to buy an expensive centerpiece. Fresh greens cut from your yard with pinecones and winter fruit make a lovely table display. Add lots of candles and you have the perfect stage for your feast.

  6. Thou Shalt Not Drive Thyself Crazy Cleaning

    I’ve always scratched my head over hostesses who obsessively-compulsively clean every inch of their homes before entertaining. Don’t get me wrong: Cleanliness is next to godliness and all that, but the holidays give you the perfect opportunity to keep that OCD in check: You’re just too busy!

    Clean in moderation and keep your focus on the party. No one has ever left a shindig and exclaimed, “That party was terrific — did you see those spotless baseboards?” It’s best to save your cleaning energy for after the party. Guests can be slobs.

  7. Thou Shalt Be a Good Guest

    OK, all you potential guests out there. Just as the hostess has a responsibility to do her best, guests also have duties. Remember what that serial moocher the Duchess of Windsor once said: “If you accept an invitation to dinner, you have a moral obligation to be amusing.”

    The most important thing a guest should know? Never show up empty-handed. That said, do not be the one who arrives at every bash with her signature tuna loaf. The dog isn’t going to like it any better this year. You can never go wrong with a bottle of wine.

  8. Thou Shalt Make Sure Thou Hast a Designated Driver

    Whether you plan to serve martinis, beer bongs or Jell-O shots, you need a designated driver. This is serious. Safety is your most important responsibility as a hostess. Make sure you also have the number of a good cab company and lots of extra blankets and pillows for impromptu sleepovers.

  9. Thou Shalt Look Fabulous

    With all the running around involved in preparing for festivities, many a hostess doesn’t have time to think about how she looks. If you are going to deck the halls, cook a feast and make everything party-perfect, the least you can do is greet your guests in something snappy.

    When it comes to hostess holiday garb, think fun and comfortable. Save the Jimmy Choo stilettos for another time. You can top off any hostess outfit with a cute, retro apron. And cleavage never hurts.

  10. Thou Shalt Enjoy Thyself

    I know this is easier said than done, but if you follow all of the preceding commandments religiously you will be able to be a guest at your own party.

    No one enjoys a stressed-out, harried hostess. Negative energy is a death sentence for a party.

    The holidays are about giving, including to yourself. So when you’re spreading your generosity around this year — cooking, cleaning, decorating and shopping for everyone else — make sure to do something spectacular for yourself, too. The best hostesses know how to have fun!

ANDREA FARNUM is a caterer, event planner and entertaining specialist with more than 20 years of culinary experience. Before turning to catering, Farnum worked for four years as a police officer in New York City. Visit her website at www.kitchen-goddess.com.

 
 
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