Celebrate the Holidays Through Entertaining!
Well folks, I think it’s safe to say the holidays are upon us and it’s time to prepare to celebrate with loved ones, even though it hasn’t snowed here yet. Usually Portland only gets rain this time of year, and coming from a place where it always snows has been kind of a shock to my system. Perhaps this adds to my lack of decking of the halls.
1. Cook whatever you can in advance. If you’re planning a party, choose appetizers and main courses that still taste great after being reheated. After my daughter is asleep, I will throw a meal together in the slow cooker and let it cook through the night. That way, by morning, you have a dinner done, or the main course cooked for your party. You can store it in the fridge until you’re ready to reheat it . For my appetizers, I take some help from the store and choose simple items I only need to arrange on a platter. Nice salamis, cheeses, crackers, olives, grapes and nuts makes for simple appetizers that everyone loves. For dessert, you could pick up a bunch of holiday treats from a bakery and don’t forget coffee. It makes for a great ending to an evening!
2. Assign your guests specific things to bring. A lot of times when you invite close friends over for a party, they will more likely than not ask if they can bring anything or do anything to help. Take them up on the offer and send out assignments. Instead of saying “bring an appetizer,” you could say “bring those famous sweet-and-sour meatballs you made for Easter!” or something along those lines. Being specific makes it easier to plan what you’re going to make for the party. That way you will know exactly what you’re going to get and how your party is going to come together.
6. Don’t have a rigid schedule. People can be late, dinner might take longer to eat, your guests might want to talk a little longer then you had planned. All these things are no big deal and you shouldn’t sweat the small stuff. The worst thing for a guest is to feel pressure from their frazzled host! Just plan accordingly! When in doubt, take a deep breath and say “oh well.” I promise it’s not the end of the world.
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Spending the holidays with family & friends makes memories that will last a lifetime
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I love making Christmas cookies with my mom- we make them every year on December 22, her birthday.
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I love making cookies with my kids to deliver to the neighbors.
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Rehashing old family drama – I mean ‘memories.’
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https://twitter.com/mousewhispers/status/278117205034536960
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All of it. I’ve especially enjoyed starting new traditions with my two-year-old, who is really excited about everything this year – the advent calendar, the cookies, the Christmas cartoons, learning the story of Jesus’ birth.
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My favorite is setting up the tree.
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I love finding and giving the perfect gifts to my family!
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I enjoy listening to Christmas music as my family plays games together.
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All of the snuggles I get from my kiddos!
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That there are usually enough of us around during the festivities that you don’t have to spend the whole time with that one relative you don’t much care for!
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My husband travels 50-75% of the year. Christmas is our day together. All I want for Christmas is time with him – and he is able to give it for a few days!
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The food!
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I love traditions, both old and new!
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I love keeping up old traditions and building new memories together!
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I love how my brothers and I turn into kids again when we are all together!
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Eating. Definitely the eating.
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Love cooking/baking, then sitting in front of the tree watching christmas movies while eating the goodies!!!
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I love this time of year with my children! I love having hot cocoa with them and sitting in front of the Christmas tree.
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I love continuing traditions with them
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I love joking around with everyone! My Italian family is very loud, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
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Just hanging out and spending time with those you don’t see often.
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My favorite thing about being with my family for the holidays is that the world actually slows down so we can give one another our undivided attention.
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My sons are both teenagers and I know that my years of having them with me are limited so my favorite part about any holiday is being with them. Enjoying making memories with them. Whether we are baking together, decorating together, driving around looking at all the pretty lights, drinking hot cocoa. I enjoy all of it with them because they are only little for so long. I am making memories with them!
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I love going to the candle-light Christmas eve service and singing Silent Night.
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I love NOT being rigid
We are easy going and everyone- especially the kids love to have a laid back schedule. Leave room for fun!!
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There is nothing better than seeing my childrens’ eyes light up when they see the tree Christmas morning. I have 3 boys ages 2, 6 and 16 and no matter the age, that element of surprise is still there! It’s not about the gifts, it’s about believing.
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i love the joking merryment & especially the eating
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When we gather together as a family, there is always plentiful food, drink & conversation!
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I love the laughter and joy of being with my family during the holidays.
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Renewing and strengthening relationships is what I like best about spending time with my family during the holidays. We make the effort to get together and take time to be together.
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https://twitter.com/janejoeyxo/status/278165366113447938
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My favorite thing about spending time with family at the holidays…reminiscing about old memories and holidays past! And of course, getting together to make food together and making new memories. Thanks!
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Tweeted the giveaway
Thank you! https://twitter.com/jmfaus27/status/278166492175007744
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I love that we get to see family that we don’t see other times of the year. its always a great time!
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Cooking together, playing board games, relaxing!
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I enjoy making Christmas cookies and other goodies with my family!
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I can’t wait to see the dogs. (I know this sounds awful, but I can email and skype the people!)
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I love spending time with my family because they never fail to make me laugh =)
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I love finding the perfect gifts for nieces and newphews and then watching their faces as they open them!
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I love having them all around and being able to relax and play with my nephew.
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I like the feeling of spending time with family. But, the activities are fun. We’ve made gingerbread cookies, gone on a Santa Train, and just set up our tree.
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cooking and eating together!
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Seeing the joy that my daughter brings to my parents and grandparents.
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I love doing Christmas activities with my family, like decorating the tree
and baking cookies or wrapping presents all while listening to Christmas music or watching a Christmas movie
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i’m gearing up to make truffles and other chocolate treats as presents.
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I love baking cookies with the kids, listening to the music, and driving to see the lights, we do it every year.
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I love the time spent just catching up. Cooking together, chatting over coffee. Just time. Time with family is good.
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My family moved to another state a few years ago for a job, and while its been hard celebrating Christmas without our extended families, we’ve begun to find some joy in the new traditions we’ve started. One of my favorites: picking up Chinese take out after church on Christmas Eve and watching ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ together before bed.
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My kids and I love our annual cookie baking day with grandma.
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