Christmas Wrapped

We still have Halloween candy in the house and leaves to rake, but the holidays are right upon us. I hate “Christmas creep” and resist even glancing at the decorations lined up right next to the clearance beach gear before the leaves even start to turn, but now, before the craziness kicks off with Thanksgiving, is a good time to plan out any holiday entertaining you’re planning to do.

First thing is to figure out what, in fact, you’d like to host. Family stuff? Neighborhood potluck? Fancy New Year’s Eve bash? Figure out what’s within your space and capabilities. For example, I’ve realized I must never host a fancy dinner party again. Last time we tried, there was smoke, and weeping, and hissed, hasty fights with my now-husband.

I’ve found cool party ideas at Real Simple, Cooking Light and Evite, which also has planning lists, budget and drink calulators, and cute favor ideas.

Then get the word out quickly. People’s calendars fill up fast at this time of year.

Next up, figure out what kind of partyware, serving pieces, glassware, and linens you need. Drag everything you’ve already got out of anywhere you keep it — this will give you the chance to figure out what needs to be cleaned or replaced and what you still need. All of the stores are having sales right now on items for entertaining, so make sure your party budget includes some cash for that.  And if you have kids coming, think of several options to keep them entertained and out from underfoot. Cookie decorating, movies,
helping out with table setting and the ever popular movie watching are all things that can entertain a wide age range.

Then, lists, lists, lists. Lists of what to buy — I organize this by where to buy it — who’s coming, what to set up where, what needs to be dragged from the basement, cleaning lists, meal lists, and so on. Keep it in one place, in one notebook or pad of paper, so the one of you who is the Party Drill Sargeant (aka me) can avoid snapping at the one who is all chilled out and thinking this is supposed to be fun (aka my husband) when they ask “What can I do?” I come by this honestly. My brother and I still tease my mom for her Thanksgiving morning meal lists that invariably start out “turkey” — or at least I did until I hosted Thanksgiving for the first time and did the day’s meal game plan and yes, turkey topped the list. If you’re doing something more involved, like Thanksgiving dinner or a New Year’s Eve party, I’d also recommend writing in your planner or online calendar what you can do what days — like ironing tablecloths and napkins several days ahead, preparing dishes that can hold or freeze each night the week of the party,
and shopping for things like drinks and paper plates as far ahead as you can.

Mock the lists if you will, but if you plan well enough, by the time your friends start showing up, you’ll be calm, socialable, and ready to party. 
Amy Kuras’ entertaining skills are now mostly limited to what can be done after the children go to bed and the occasional all-comers blowout. She blogs at www.savvysource.com (among other places), writes, edits and wrangles two lovely children in Detroit.