Happy hosting: Tips for family gatherings

It’s our favourite time of year – holiday season! December has always been a month for celebration and connection, and there’s nothing better than sharing conversation, laughs and a healthy dose of chaos with family and friends. If you’re able to host a gathering this year, here are our top tips for making it full of fun and easy on the stress-o-meter.

1. Prep in advance. The best way to minimise stress on the day is to tick off as much as you can before the event. Plan your menu and make what you can ahead of time, such as dressings, sauces, cakes or salads that are fine to keep. If you want to really step it up, you can pre-chop and organise your ingredients so everything’s ready to go on the day.
2. Ask for help. It’s okay to delegate! Your friends and family love to help and contribute – they just need your direction. Let them know what to bring, and be specific if you need to (there’s no point everyone arriving with a potato salad!).
3. Mix things up. Swap out the roast, do a pot-luck or even go for a family brunch or lunch instead of dinner. It’s easy to stick to the same routines, but shaking things up is a great way to give yourself a break and make some new memories at the same time.
4. Keep it simple. It doesn’t have to be fancy to be delicious. Simple, wholesome ingredients and straightforward recipes can be all you need to create the ideal meal. Try our Strawberry Panna Cotta, Honey Glazed Carrots with Tahini Yogurt or our ultimate Pavlova!
5. Versatile ingredients are your friend. Ingredients that can be used in multiple ways are a sure way to make life easier. For some inspiration, check out our October blog where we take you through 17 uses for Greek Style yogurt.
6. Plan for everyone. Dietary requirements? No problem! Keep the fridge stocked with some easy options for alternative eaters – like our EasiYo plant based yogurt.
7. Set some boundaries. It may seem like overkill, but being specific about when to arrive and when to leave means you won’t get stuck entertaining guests when you had planned to be preparing (or getting a good night’s sleep!).
8. Plan an approach for gifts. Whether it’s a classic Secret Santa or creating a fun rule (like hand-made gifts only), decide what your gifting approach is and let everyone know ahead of time.
9. Nominate a picture taker. In the excitement of catching up, it’s easy to forget about photos – especially when you have your host hat on. Ask someone photo-savvy to take on the task of capturing and sharing the day.
10. Most of all, have fun and feel the love. Relax, take a breath and enjoy the fact that the people you love are together in one place. As we’ve all learned in the last couple of years, these occasions are times to cherish.