With the holidays fast approaching I’m sure you are already finding yourself making a list and checking it twice.  The holidays are a time for family and friends but sometimes we get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of all the to-do lists, the shopping and the planning we forget the true meaning of the holidays.  We are often left fatigued and overwhelmed by the end of December.  Here’s a few tips on hosting family and friends in your home this year AND doing it with more enjoyment!

• Start Time - 3:30pm.  Make the start time of the festivities a little later in the afternoon after lunch and after kids nap times.  This will ensure everyone arrives refreshed for afternoon festivities and will give you time to prepare throughout the morning and early afternoon.
• Keep Food Simple. Don’t try to be Gordon Ramsay!  pssst...You’re not! (and no-one expects you to be).  Prepare simple snacks and meals that won’t overwhelm you.  Christmas day is not the time to try out a new recipe.  Make your favourite recipe, you’re guests will love it because it is your specialty and you will be more relaxed because you are familiar with making it.  

• Have your guests bring their favourite dishes.  Guests are always asking what they can bring.  Don't pass on the opportunity to request they bring their favorite appetizer or side dish.  They are usually more than happy to prepare something and this will take the pressure off of you to make the entire meal.
• Simple Tricks to Glam up your dishes.  Still feel the need to look like Martha Stewart?  Make your dishes look like they were professionally plated by adding some sprigs of fresh herbs on the side of a plate or drizzle olive oil over a dish of pre-made hummus.  Dust a plate of cookies with icing sugar.  Remember keep it simple and not over done….you will shine like a FoodTV rockstar and not break a sweat!
• Make simple snacks for the kids that turn everyday food (something they won’t fuss about) into holiday special food.  Take a few simple grilled cheese sandwiches and use your holiday cookie cutters to cut the grilled cheese into cute stars or gingerbread shapes.  The kids will love them and so will the parents
• Keep decorating to a level that you can manage.  If you aren’t big on decorating keep it simple don't feel you have to go all out.  Your decorations should have meaning and purpose.  As long as the tree is trimmed and your home feels festive your guests will appreciate the effort. If you have any extra tree decorations that are not on the tree place them on the centre of the table in a bowl or in clusters around the countertop. 
• Playing holiday music always brings a festive feeling to a room and is easy peasy to do. 
• Kids coming? Give them their own “Kid Zone”.  Set up a colouring centre with crayons and paper.  Put out specific toys that are for all the kids to share.  This keeps the kids out of rooms they shouldn't in and also give your children the opportunity to put away any toys they are not willing to share thus preventing you breaking up arguments between your kids and your guests kids.
• Older Kids coming?  If you have teenagers ask them to arrange a video game competition for the older kids to play. 

• Beg and Borrow.  You probably won't have enough dishes for the entire family to eat and drink from.  Don’t worry and don’t run out to buy a new set of plates, cutlery and glassware.  Ask neighbours and family if they will loan some to you for the day. 
• Make gifting easier.  One way to help reduce shopping stress leading up to the holidays is to tell your family you are having a gift exchange instead of buying for every person.  In our family we have been doing this for years and it is the highlight of our Christmas day.  All adult members of the family  MUST participate (we still buy individual gifts for the children under 18)  and there is always stealing of gifts, tons of excitement and a little disappointment at times. This is usually called a “White Elephant” gift exchange but goes by many different names.  For a full set of rules visit  https://www.whiteelephantrules.com.   In our family we have always done the guys buy for the guys and the ladies buy for the ladies then we have 2 different gift exchanges.  Our gift price range is $100-125 so that everyone walks away Christmas day with a very nice gift but you can set any mount that suits your family.
• Relax and Enjoy.  The true meaning of the holidays and Christmas is to have fun with friends and family.  Un-Perfecting your day will help you enjoy it more.  So if an appetizer burns or wine spills on the rug, don't stress about it!  Grab some eggnog and party on!