My goal with holiday company is to spend the most time enjoying them, so I prepare myself out of the kitchen. I love having company, but with health challenges I haven’t always had the energy to do everything. I’ve developed what I’ve branded Help Yourself Hospitality.
The hot drink station is always ready for those early risers who want a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. If I’ve had a rough night of sleep, I don’t want my company waiting for me to rise to have their caffeine. Although everyone is welcome to rummage through my cupboards, not everyone will feel comfortable doing that. The blog post Help Yourself Hospitality – Hot Drinks shows a few more options for your drink station. I’ve also blogged Help Yourself Hospitality – Breakfast.
I prepared bags of meals to make dinner go smoothly when we want to enjoy more coffee and visiting. The recipe is printed out and placed in bag with all non-perishable ingredients. The items that are in the fridge or freezer are highlighted on the recipe. I blogged about this in the post The Ol’ Bag Lady Has Dinner in the Bag and included my recipe for White Chicken Chili, a gluten-free, dairy-free meal that is warmly received on a cold day. My Southwest Roast is another crockpot hit, slow-cooked for 24 hours, so when you’re cleaning up dinner one night, you throw another dinner in the crockpot.
We spend as little time washing dishes as possible, since I see some of my relatives only during the holidays. This caddy is always ready. This year I bought a few pretty plates, but the majority of the time we use compostable white papers plates, cups, and napkins from Costco that can be tossed in the yard waste garbage can.
These silverware bundles were prepared for a company party we hosted in our home and they worked well on the buffet table. The napkins and gift tags were from IKEA, so they were inexpensive and adorable. The vintage bread pan holds about 17 bundles. I made extra for the family meals.
The buffet is ready for Christmas treats to be displayed. The cookies, homemade butterscotch, caramel corn, and fudge will come out of hiding and displayed as long as company is here.
Other miscellaneous kitchen tips for company:
- Restock all kitchen cleaning supplies, including soaps, garbage bags, paper towels for the spills you count on having.
- Buy healthy snacks. Eventually they’ll get tired of Christmas cookies, so I keep dried nuts and fruit on hand.
- For finger-food meals, I keep a variety of cheeses, crackers, and fresh fruit on hand.
- Accept help graciously. It doesn’t matter if they load or unload the dishwasher incorrectly. Let them bless you.
My MIL advised me years ago the reason you prepare ahead of time is because company comes to visit you, not watch you work in the kitchen. As you make your last run to the grocery store before company arrives, prepare yourself out of time in the kitchen and into more time with your company.
I was I was that organized! I’m usually still cooking when my guests arrive, and occasionally I’m still cleaning! No hosting for me this year, as much as I love doing it. Injuries have made certain of that.
You have a great reason to take a rest, Vanessa, and just enjoy your family. For about two years when I was the sickest, we ordered pizza every time we had company over. On occasion, we’d buy a ready-made vegetable tray, too. It doesn’t always have to be perfect, I’ve learned.
You have to be the best hostess I’ve ever experienced, even before my strokes! Your home is just that.
Kendra, thank you so much for such a special compliment. I cherish that. You have been such a blessing to me through the years of praying me through one crisis after another, i appreciated the chance to show you my thanks. May the light of the Son bring you through these final dark days until Alaska sees the sun!
Your whole family too…you trained them well 😉
Love your tips and your pictures, Mindy. We may survive this yet!
Thanks, Inger! Just so you know, I started my holiday celebration with a trip to the Nordic Museum to put me in the UFFDA mood! Was a blast.
This is so cute and such a good idea!!
Thank you so much! I love preparing for company and using my vintage items, so Christmas is always a win-win for me! Blessings as you remember the birth of our Savior not only on Christmas, but every day.
Such a wonderful post filled with fantastic ideas and wonderful vintage items. I love the post and pictures from top to bottom.
Mary, thank you so much for your visit to my blog today. I know you’re busy with your own holiday preparations and I appreciate you taking the time to encourage me with such a sweet comment. Blessings on your Christmas and New Year!