Your First Holiday Dinner in Your New Home
One of the most exciting (and most stressful!) events you’ll plan is your first holiday dinner for family and friends in your new home. With all the choices open to you when it comes to fall and winter holiday gatherings, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to host a fabulous get-together. Of course, you want everything to be perfect. However, the more you worry, the less fun you (and your guests) will have. You can throw a fantastic party with relatively little difficulty if you focus on what really matters and forget the rest. Here are a few great tips to impress your guests and save your sanity.
Gather Your Guests
Be realistic about the head count—only invite as many people as your dining areas can comfortably hold. Cramming people so tightly together that they can’t pass the gravy is sure to make for a difficult meal. The kids’ table is a helpful tradition here; you can spread your guest net wider by adding seating for youngsters in the kitchen or living room. Appoint the older children as “team leads” to assist younger ones and help keep order.
Decide if you’ll be planning a family gathering, hosting an informal group of friends sharing a casual meal, or captaining an “orphan party,” where you invite everyone you know who is far away from family and friends during the holidays. For your first go-round, avoid mixing these crowds too much. Inviting a bunch of people who don’t know each other puts more stress on you, because you’ll be trying to make introductions and set up conversations while you’re putting dinner together.
If your gathering is small—eight or ten people—allow guests to seat themselves. For a larger group, consider using place cards to facilitate conversation and ensure compatibility.
Double-Duty Holidays
If you have enough space, consider planning a combination holiday dinner and housewarming. Instead of traditional housewarming gifts, suggest that guests bring a side or dessert along with the recipe. You can also use festive holiday cards to serve as greetings, invitations, and change-of-address notices all at once.
Choose a card with a cozy house scene or have one custom-made with a photo of your new Ernest home. Many online companies and local printers offer them at surprisingly affordable prices.
Decorate Strategically
You may not have time to unpack every holiday decoration before the big event, so keep it simple. A few carefully placed pieces show your holiday spirit without overwhelming your décor. And don’t forget to measure the space for your Christmas tree—you’ll want to be sure the centerpiece of your holiday display isn’t missing its top. New ceilings in your chosen floor plan may have different heights that need to be accommodated.
Scented candles add a warm, homey touch and create a welcoming atmosphere. Keep centerpieces low to promote easy conversation. Add appropriate background music at a low volume to set the stage for your party and let the good times roll.
Mix Traditional and Modern Cuisine
Favorites such as oven-roasted turkey, pumpkin pie, eggnog, and cranberry sauce are expected, so be sure to meet guest expectations. But don’t hesitate to complement these staples with alternative dishes like hearty soups, roasted root vegetables, creative casserole-style sides, or baked apples with ice cream.
Avoid making a brand-new dish for the first time on the day of the party. The last thing you want is a failed experiment—or the discovery that you’re missing a key ingredient.
Remember that guests may have different dietary preferences or restrictions, but don’t try to micro-plan for every need. Offer a nice variety of dishes and most guests will find something they love. And if someone offers to bring a specific dish, accept graciously—it may be their way of ensuring an option for their dietary needs.
Organization Is Key
Begin cooking earlier than you think necessary. Delays will happen, and dinner may run later than expected. But if you stay on schedule, imagine how nice it will be to have fifteen or twenty minutes before guests arrive to unwind with a good book and a glass of wine.
Several dishes can be made in advance, especially those served chilled or at room temperature. Just be sure to allow yourself enough time to sit down, relax, and enjoy the meal with your guests.
Cleaning Up Is Hard to Do
The worst part of hosting a great dinner party is always the cleanup. If guests offer to help—stacking plates, washing dishes, or packing leftovers—politely refuse once. If they offer again, they truly mean it, so let them pitch in. The more the merrier.
And if you’re dreaming of hosting future holidays in a brand-new space, explore our available new homes and find the perfect kitchen and dining layout for your next celebration.
