Think About Christmas and Hanukkah
- Get invitations out early and and ask about food allergies.
- Create a timeline of things to do for the day of the event.
- Think about the table setting.
- Don't forget beverages, glassware, and ice.
Here are a few more ideas:
Invite the guests at least a month in advance. If there are going to be young children, be sure to make accommodations for their seating/food. Ask guests if there are any food allergies/sensitivities to be concerned about.
Create a day-of timeline two weeks before the big day. Determine all the activities that will lead up to your meal and organize them in time order. Items you will do well ahead, items that can only be done a few days ahead (buying those fresh veggies for one,) and those that must be done the day of. Remember, if you are serving a frozen turkey, follow the defrosting guidelines. They will take a few days to be ready to cook.
What do I want the table to look like? There are endless ideas on one of my favorite sites, Pinterest. Weeks in advance start searching for the ideas that work for you. Then start perusing the stores for the items you will need to create your tablescape. Items sell out early and quickly.
What will we be drinking? What glassware and how many do we need for those drinks? Will I have enough ice? Is there room in the freezer for the items I will prepare in advance? Do we have enough seating and table space? A few of the all-important questions to answer well in advance so that in the event rentals or borrowing are needed, you have plenty of time to make it happen.
