With These GOLDEN TIPS, You Can Bid Farewell to All Holiday Stress

Guests who—surprise!—bring an extra guest. Visitors who want to do the dishes. People who are already a little tipsy and pour themselves another drink. Or suddenly decide to eat vegan. Or smack the cat because it sniffed at a dish. In short: it’s December again, the most wonderful time of the year. Everyone comes over to eat at your place, so how do you keep it fun?

A dinner party at Marian’s got a little out of hand. One of her guests asked if he could bring a friend, who also happened to have a birthday that day and, just as everyone was pulling up their chairs, announced that she was vegetarian on principle. There you are, with a dish full of sticky spareribs. Fortunately, Marian is an editor at Food52 and has thoroughly immersed herself in hospitality, etiquette and all those other festive things. She made the polenta of her dreams, polenta, everyone toasted the birthday girl and the evening continued late into the night in a wonderfully convivial atmosphere.

In your wine rack

That’s how you become an expert at being a relaxed host. How does she do it? To begin with: every guest is welcome. Marian also answers pressing questions, such as: what do you do with that bottle of wine your guests bring for you? Do you open it straight away (and finish it), or put it in your wine rack? That’s entirely up to you, says Marian. Is it good wine and does it go with your cooking? Then grab the corkscrew. And if it doesn’t suit your cuisine or the company, who only want to gossip and knock back gin and tonics, save it for later.

Her tip: clearly tell the generous giver what you’re going to do with the bottle. ‘Looks delicious, shall we open it right away?’ if that’s your plan, and ‘Sounds absolutely delicious, I’d love to save it for a special occasion,’ in preparation for your wine rack. Crystal clear!

Bowl of crisps

And then there are the different types of people in your home. One puts every used plate in the dishwasher like a well-behaved child and then makes some soapy water to wash the entire gold-rimmed dinner service by hand; the other type leans back lazily and would be perfectly happy if you put out nothing more than a bowl of crisps, as long as they don’t have to do anything. All perfectly fine, but where do you stand?

Some cooks become almost hysterical if someone else takes a glass from the cupboard or gives a pan a quick stir; others stay mellow and let things unfold. Whatever: make it clear to your guests what you expect. You can put them to work (‘Could you clear some space on the table for the cheeseboard?’) or tell them to relax (‘Stay right there, I’ll make coffee’)—but take the lead. Then nobody has to feel guilty about having done too much or too little.

Call and invite them

A week before New Year’s Eve, it suddenly occurs to you: not everyone has been invited. You had planned to invite them, but never got around to it, or you suddenly receive a Christmas card from someone who should never be missing from your guest list. What now? Just call and explain, says Marian. She’s a practical sort. And always say what you expect from your guests when extending an invitation, whether it’s late or well in advance. Dress smartly, bring one course of the meal, leave for home on time or boogie until the early hours—it’s best to be clear.

Shoes off, please

Everyone in your house has to take off their shoes because you’ve just had a new floor installed. Or the children are allowed to run everywhere, but not in the bedroom because that’s where you’ve locked up the cats. Or you’d prefer no alcohol to be consumed because your uncle is coming straight from Alcoholics Anonymous to your dinner party. Can you impose such instructions on your guests?

Marian’s solution is blunt. Say. It. Simply. ‘People don’t mind being told what they can and can’t do. But they do like to know in advance. Then they can take it into account and, in the most extreme case, decide to skip this gathering.’ And smokers? If you know they’ll be there, set up a little table outside in advance, with an ashtray and some cozy lights (and a tin of Smint). Those good resolutions can wait until January.

Read also:

• Vegetable crisps: a good alternative to regular crisps?
• 17 totally idiotic orders (really, it can get even crazier)
• Now that’s truly Christmassy: a charcuterie chalet

Source: Food52