November 29, 2023
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We know the holidays are a busy time of year filled with excitement. Celebrating the season with friends and family is always an anticipated event that we look forward to. But as much as we love a good party, hosting can often be stressful and require a lot of planning, which is why we’ve created 5 tips to master the art of hosting. At Wesson, we believe that a little prep goes a long way. Working hard to plan a party should be enjoyed by everyone, including the host! Here are 5 tips to help you prepare for the season and ensure that you’re able to enjoy your evening. Happy holidays!
1. Prep Perfection
We can’t stress this enough. Planning for your dinner in advance is the key to having a party that not only the guests enjoy, but you enjoy too! Getting the menu ready in advance ensures you have everything you need and allows time for other fun details too. Prepping your table scape and dessert are easy things to do ahead of time that allow for seamless flow throughout your night. Try our Pear and Cranberry Frangipane Tart for a decadent dessert that your guests will love.
2. Focus on the Basics
Holiday meals offer a variety of classic dishes we all know and love. Rather than preparing too many dishes, go with what you know. Focus on 3-4 items and you’ll be set. By sticking to the basics, you’re guaranteed to impress your crowd. Try using our Wesson Basics Recipes to elevate your dishes with simple and trusted recipes your guests will adore. Our Vegetarian Roasted Vegetable Gravy is a crowd-pleasing staple that you’ll be making again. Try our Wesson Basics Bread and Wesson Basics Pie Crust for crowd-pleasing staples.
3. Set the Stage
Tasteful holiday décor is always appreciated by guests, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend hours decorating. Simple additions to your table like candles, a nice tablecloth and festive napkins are all you need to make your space holiday ready – let the food do the talking!
Tip: To set the tone, we love to play a holiday jazz playlist to create the perfect festive ambiance.
4. A Pop of Punch
Create a simple holiday beverage to get your bartending work out of the way, giving you time to focus on having fun with your guests. A refreshing punch is a great complement to a rich and flavorful meal. Citrus, cranberry, and ginger flavors are some of our favorites when it comes to making the perfect holiday punch. We recommend using frozen cranberries to add a beautiful holiday garnish while keeping the punch chilled. Other festive garnishes we love are lemon slices, basil or mint leaves, and green apple slices.
Try a few of our favorite punch recipes here such as Delish’s Cranberry Basil Sangria, Taste of Home’s Citrus Fizz, and Taste of Home’s Cranberry Fizz
5. Enjoy your company!
Hosting friends and family is always a memorable experience. Don’t forget to savor every minute of it by being present with your guests. The purpose of the holidays is to connect with loved ones and spend time creating memories, so don’t stress about the little stuff! Remember –you’re well prepared!
