To make your Christmas festivities enjoyable for you and your guests, it’s important to plan ahead and get an early start on preparations. Time is of the essence and before you know it, your guest will be arriving to celebrate with you. Here are some tips to help your first Christmas hosting experience be stress-free:

Make your menu weeks in advance and make a timeline for shopping and preparing for the menu. The more detailed your plan is, the less stress you will feel leading up to the big day.
Invite loved ones ahead of time and tell them if they need to bring anything.
Hit the grocery store as early as possible before things run out.Get non-perishable items and items that you can freeze as soon as you complete your shopping list since shelves empty quickly. Main course items such as hams or turkeys usually go quickly. The later you go shopping, the more you will have to improvise.
Don’t be afraid to buy pre-prepared items from a bakery or grocery story. If you’re in a pinch or you and your guest don’t have time to make a certain side or dessert, bakeries and grocery stores have great alternatives.
Be aware of food allergies or diet restrictions. Ask your guest if there is anything they cannot eat ahead of time and plan your menu accordingly. If you’re having overnight guests, prepare your house for them days in advance so you can focus on preparing the meal. Have a backup plan, such as a few backup dishes you can make or heat up just in case someone forgets a side or something goes wrong.
Ask for help. If you’re overwhelmed, ask each guest to bring a dish or ask a few people to arrive early so they can give you a hand with cooking.
Prepare ahead of time. To prevent stress and rushing, begin preparing for dinner as far in advance as possible. You can set the table and bake your cookies, cakes and other desserts days in advance.
Keep your eyes on the time. Give yourself enough time to get as much done as possible before your guests arrive so you can focus on entertaining them.
If kids are coming, make festivities kid friendly. Have a few kid-friendly dishes on hand and plan a few activities so they can stay occupied while the adults socialize.
Clean as you go. Throw scraps and packaging away as you cook and wash or put dishes in the dishwasher immediately after using them. Messes accumulate quickly and if you clean as you go, you can spend more time with family after dinner instead of cleaning up.
Send guests home with leftovers. Nothing is worse than wasted food, so stock up on plastic containers and foil before Christmas and make a goodie bag of leftovers for each guest.
Relax and have fun! Christmas is about gathering loved ones in one place rather than impressing others with your cooking skills.

While the holidays are still bound to be stressful, these tips will help make your first hosting experience slightly less stressful.
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Story image via Pixabay

Tips For Hosting Your First Christmas