20 Expert Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday Season
'Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry, but sometimes playing host can feel more like a burden than a blessing. We asked our Good Housekeeping Institute pros for advice on how to gift, decorate, cook and host — minus the headache.
Prep Self-Serve Cocktails
Forget stocking a bar cart with endless supplies for everyone’s favorite drink. Decide on one or two festive picks (like spiked apple cider, Moscow mules, or Winter Punch, pictured here) to prep ahead and let guests serve themselves from punch bowls.
GET OUR BEST CHRISTMAS COCKTAIL RECIPES
Simplify Gift Giving
Whether you’re looking for stocking stuffers, Hanukkah surprises or something for that special someone, our new AI-assisted gift-finding tool, GH Gift Lab, can help. Tell us who you’re shopping for and the Gift Lab will share the best ideas from all our experts.
LET THE GIFT LAB HELP YOU FIND THE PERFECT PRESENT
Opt for No-Cook Appetizers
Put together beautiful cheese and charcuterie boards instead of fussing over hot hors d’oeuvres. They’re delicious and can be assembled in minutes on pretty wooden, slate or marble cutting boards. Include an assortment of cured meats, cheeses, olives, crackers, grapes, spiced nuts and spreads!
Or, make one appetizer that you'll heat and serve warm, and round out the hors d'oeuvres with options that can be prepped in advance so you can focus on serving and welcoming guests.
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST CHARCUTERIE BOARD
Know Who’s Boss
Learn to delegate! Whether you need help cleaning up the yard, scrubbing the guest bath or making a holiday playlist, ask your partner or child to pitch in so you aren’t doing it all.
"Hire" the DJ
Instead of spending hours making the perfect party playlist, queue up an online streaming service for tons of well-curated (and free!) options. Pick a mix you like, then forget about it. Hate commercials? Opt for a premium version of Spotify or Pandora.
Use Bagged Ice
Start making ice a few days in advance and store it in resealable bags; use your freezer's Max Ice setting to speed up the process. Or ask guests to bring a bag or two.
THE BEST NUGGET ICE MAKERS, ACCORDING TO TESTING
Delight Guests
Leave a lasting impression with a few thoughtful details such as using fresh flowers or a homemade photo ornament at each seat in lieu of a place card. And keep a deck of cards or a few board games on hand in case the energy dips.
GET INSPIRED BY CHRISTMAS TABLE DECORATION IDEAS
Create a "Quick-Chill" Station
Make a tub of salted ice water (one cup of salt per gallon of H2O) to chill bottles of wine and other drinks. It will also free up fridge space — just keep a few bar cloths by the tub for wiping drippy bottles.
Ace Holiday Decor
There’s no need to break the bank on trendy decorations. These easy DIY projects from our incredible crafters will help you deck the halls this holiday. Pick from embossed velvet stockings, an easy ribbon wreath, throwback 3-D holiday ornaments and more
SEE OUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS CRAFTS
Embrace Make-Ahead Recipes
Who has the oven (or brain) space to time out a dozen dishes. Instead, prep what you can in the days leading up to your get-together. One of our Test Kitchen’s favorite prep-ahead stars is this Mashed Potato Casserole.
GET OUR BEST CHRISTMAS DINNER RECIPES
Use Easy Math to Calculate Drinks
For holiday get-togethers, plan for about three glasses of wine per guest — some will drink more, others less or none. A standard 750-ml bottle holds five glasses, so for a party of six, here’s the math: (6x3)/5 = 4 bottles (always round up!).
Level Up Your Servingware
To stay organized and avoid having to scramble, tag each dish with the name of the food that will be cooked and/or served in it (remove the stickers before filling!).
SHOP OUR FAVORITE SERVING PLATTERS AND DISHES
Invest in a Large Cutting Board
A large cutting board with a deep channel around the edge can double as a serving platter. With this versatile piece, you can carve large roasts right at the table rather than disappear into the kitchen.
THE BEST CUTTING BOARDS, ACCORDING TO TESTING
Keep Already-Baked Cookies in the Freezer
You can defrost them at room temperature or in the toaster oven when guests pop over unannounced.
GET OUR BEST CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPES
Store Extra Platters of Crudité in the Fridge
This way, you can quickly swap them in for empties.
Stash Simple Syrup in the Fridge
Mixing cocktails will be a snap (it keeps for a few weeks). To make: Add one cup sugar to one cup water in a saucepan; let boil until the sugar dissolves; cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
Fill Your Home With Festive Fragrance
Don’t splurge on overpriced scented candles when you already have the aromas of the season sitting in your kitchen. Sliced citrus fruits, apples, cinnamon sticks, or spices like cloves will give the air cozy scent. Fill small bowls with fragrant pieces and display throughout your home.
Direct Food and Drink Traffic
If you’re serving things buffet-style, keep drinks and food on opposite ends of the room to prevent gridlock.
Stock Up on To-Go Boxes
Get new food storage containers that don’t cost a ton so you can send everyone home with leftovers without raiding your own supplies. Our Kitchen Appliances Lab loves Stasher bags and Pyrex!
Make crusty pots easier to clean
Fill them with water and just a squirt of dish soap and let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen stuck-on sauces and food. If you can't do a full scrub right away, turn off the heat and let the pots sit overnight.
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