Thursday, December 13, 2012

Metro's Holiday Party Planning Tips - Hostessing made easy!

Hubby and I like to entertain - we throw a Christmas party every year and try and host at least 1 other large gathering (normally Canada Day). Metro has provided me with a list of tips to help make YOUR holiday entertaining easier - read on!





Holiday Party Planning: 10 Tips for Festive Fun!


From decking the halls to trimming the tree and preparing your feast, holiday party planning can be exhausting! Metro has some stress-free tips to make your party the talk of the town! We've done the research and put together a list of need-to-know tips and techniques for an effortlessly unforgettable get-together.


Creative serving – Instead of communal bowls of nuts, try a more eye catching and hygienic presentation by putting snacks in clear-glass, narrow-necked decanters. Guests can pour nut and trail mixes themselves, and it looks great, too!

Stagger serving times – If all food is served at the start of the night, guests are likely to gorge and go home early. Keep your party hopping by serving your tasty hors d’oeuvres all night long.

Impress with a signature cocktail - Channel your inner mixologist and offer guests a unique signature cocktail for your holiday party. Be sure to have other non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages to offer alongside this cocktail.

Prep in advance – The ‘day of’ for the party planner is always hectic! Between set up, last minute errands, and wrangling the kids – stress is high. Try prepping what you can a few days before. Things like fruit trays, cheese and cracker platters and Swedish meatballs can all be put together a day or two in advance.

Presentation is everything – When preparing food trays and hors d’oeuvres platters, have fun! Use the Canadian winter landscape as inspiration by placing pinecones and frosted pine needles in your tray display.
Fast and fancy – Limited time? Solicit the help of the frozen food aisle! Metro’s private label line, Irresistibles, offers delicious appetizers perfect for party planners, with selection and creativity covered.

Tidy as you go – No one likes waking up to a mess, by tidying bit by bit during your party, the house will be kept clean for your guests, too!

Set the ambiance – A beautiful candle display can never go wrong at a holiday party

Provide plenty of options – Be sure to provide an assortment of appetizer options at your holiday bash to keep all types of appetites full and happy!

Enjoy yourself – This is your party, too! You've worked hard and it’s important to enjoy the environment, interact with your guests and taste your delicious treats!

I already follow most of these tips, what about you?

A big thank you to Metro for providing me with the awesome gift basket filled with fruit cake, cookies, treats, maple butter, crackers and a gift card - all to help with my holiday entertaining this year!


12 comments:

  1. I've been hosting parties since December started and probably won't be stopping until the new year. I am pooped already and we're not even half way through the month. Thanks for the tips. I need to get into the habit of tidying as I go. I usually just leave it all tuntil the end and then I'm too tired to do anything afterwards. HA HA! Happy Holidays!

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    1. ha- it took me a while to learn to clean as I go....it used to annoy hubby, until he realized we had very little to do the next day; now he has started to join me

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  2. I love to stagger the items, makes more room for more food :D

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  3. I love serving an assortment of appetizers that I have make ahead of time. Makes entertaining so much easier when you do not have to be in the kitchen when guests are around.

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  4. I love the Tidy as you go tip, my grandma always did that which I think it a great tip for everyone!

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  5. These are such handy tips! I always tidy as I go and it makes it easier for not only the host later on, but for everyone at the party as well...no clutter! :) It's so important to allow time for yourself to mingle with your guests :)

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  6. Great tips!!! I love the holidays and entertaining, but I always find the clean up so exhausting! LOL!

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  7. Such good tips! I often forget the one about presentation. I'm going to make a real effort this year to put some thought into my display and presentation. Thanks for the ideas!

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  8. Great ideas:) I love Christmas time and having family and friends over.

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  9. I second the tip "Tide as you go"... it really makes a difference and doesn't take a lot of effort.

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  10. Love the ambiance tip... will add a candle display on the mantle.

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  11. My fave tip on your list is staggering serving times.

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