How to Deal With a First Holiday Dinner

Holiday dinners are the events that make memories. It looks so simple, but if you're the host, then you understand how much work it takes to make the meal come together. If it's your first holiday dinner to deal with, along with the all the preparations, your stress level will probably be off the charts. Fear not, it can be done.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Put together your plan of action for the holiday dinner. Decide where you will have the dinner, plan the complete menu, gather ideas for decorating and decide if will you need extra tables and chairs.
2. Set the date that the holiday dinner will take place as not all holiday dinners actually take place on the holiday. If you are going to send out invitations, prepare your guest list and choose your invitations. These should be sent out about six weeks ahead of time. If not, then personally call all the guests or families who are invited.
3. Plan the menu. You will need 2 or 3 appetizers such as cheese and crackers, shrimp cocktail or mini quiches. Pick your main course, turkey, ham, roast, lamb or fish. You may want to consider two meats and order a ham or turkey from your deli or a catering service. This will leave more time to concentrate on the vegetables and salads; you should have several selections of each. It is wise to have 2 to 3 selections of desserts, such as a cheese cake, chocolate cake, pumpkin pie and maybe an assortment of cookies and bite size candies. You will also need tea, coffee, soda, wine and beer depending upon your preferences.
4. Decide on the decorations you want. If it is fall, choose natural elements such as pine cones, pumpkins, fruit and candles. For Christmas or winter months, try holly, poinsettias, stars and candles. Plan where you will seat all your guests, so you'll know how many tables and chairs to have. You may have to rent these or borrow from friends if you are short.
5. Shop for everything on your menu list about one week ahead of time except for perishable items. Make any casseroles or desserts at this time and freeze. Purchase your beverages and determine if you are going to need extra coolers and ice for these and where you will place them. Make sure that you have place settings and glasses for every guest and several extras. Have separate plates for dessert. Depending upon your preferences, you may want to consider nice paper plates and plastic cups if it is really a large group.
6. Clean your house from top to bottom about 4 or 5 days ahead of time and then keep it clean for the big day. If you will need to move furniture around to set up tables, do it early. Make sure that you have adequate toilet tissue and decorative hand towels for your guests in all the bathrooms.
7. Welcome your guests to your home for your holiday dinner. Enjoy yourself, make a toast to holiday dinners and relax as you've dealt with your first holiday dinner.

Tips & Warnings

• If children are a part of your guest list, be sure to have appropriate seating arrangements for them such as booster seats, high chairs or set up children's tables for the little guests.
• Should you have guests that have special diets, especially for medical issues such as diabetes, plan to have at least one dessert that they can eat.