10 Tips for Planning an Amazing Christmas Dinner: From Menu Prep to Home Decor

Christmas brings joy to many. It allows you to reconnect with family members who live far away. Yet, organizing a large meal and preparing your home for the event can be challenging. Here are some suggestions to help you arrange the ideal Christmas while keeping worry at bay.

Invite Guests

Before anything else, you need to know who will attend. This means more than just the number of people, but their specific requirements. You should send out invites as soon as you can. Here are some things to think about. 

• Consider where people live. Someone coming from 1,000 miles away needs extra time to make travel plans.
• Think about your guests' eating needs. When you're planning the menu, consider whether anyone is vegetarian, vegan, or has food allergies.
• Tell people what to bring, if anything. Coordinate so you don't get overloaded with some things and lack others. 
• Send invitations in appropriate ways. Older family members may not use email or cell phones. When making your list, consider the best way to reach each person.

Make a Grocery List

Don’t be one of those people who gets stuck at a packed grocery store the day before Christmas. Make your list and buy what you need at least a week in advance. 

• Main courses. You’re not likely to forget the turkey, beef tenderloin, or whatever the main dish is. The main challenge is to make sure you order it early enough.
• Side dishes and condiments.
• Vegetables. It’s good to have an excellent selection of different colors and flavors of vegetables. These add to the decor and the palate. 
• Beverages – Get creative. Local craft beers and vineyard wine add to the ambiance. Remember to have plenty of non-alcoholic options, such as juice and sparkling water.
• Desserts –For items you’re making from scratch, ensure you have all the ingredients you need to make scrumptious and flavorful desserts. 

Be Prepared with Plates, Serving Dishes, and Appliances

Before Christmas, take inventory and identify anything you need to buy to serve the meal comfortably. You don’t want to realize at the last minute that your largest serving dish broke or that your blender quit working. Make sure you have enough plates and serving dishes. Go over your recipes and verify that you have any necessary utensils or appliances. 

Clean and Declutter

You want your home and property to be presentable before your guests arrive. You don’t have to go overboard, as large gatherings create new messes. However, you’ll want to declutter, vacuum, dust, and ensure your dishes and cutlery are nice and clean. 

Decorate 

Making your home and property festive helps set the mood. 

• Decorate your yard and porch. 
• Make the dining table festive. The centerpiece could include candles, flowers, holly, vases with festive Christmas colored decorations, and other seasonal items. You may need to move some of it when you serve the meal.
• A Christmas-themed wreath can beautify both indoor and outdoor spaces. 
• Balloons can brighten the room and your porch. Winter or Christmas balloons can help add to the joyous occasion.

Consider Logistics

A big celebration takes careful planning beyond preparing the meal and desserts. When more people than usual come to your home, several issues must be considered.

• Parking. Residential streets can get crowded around Christmas, as many people will be hosting their own dinners. If parking is scarce in your neighborhood, encourage carpooling and alternatives. 
• Be aware of people who may have mobility issues or other disabilities, especially if it’s slippery. 
• Have a policy for pets. If you let people bring dogs, consider setting aside an area in the yard for them. 

Plan Activities for Kids

Christmas visits to family can be boring for kids. It’s not good for them or the adults if they have nothing to do. Set aside an area for kids to play with their new toys. You may need to stock up on board games, puzzles, and other diversions, too.

Set Up a Self-Serve Bar

A self-serve bar is convenient for both you and your guests. It frees you from the responsibility of refilling people’s glasses. Any solid surface or cart will suffice. Fill it with clean glasses, an ice bucket, and at least one pitcher with a popular drink. 

Do Plenty of Prep

You can lighten your load on the big day by preparing some dishes beforehand. Some things you can do the day before include:

• Chopping vegetables
• Baking pies and cookies
• Make soups, gravy, and side dishes like stuffing

You can also prepare other items. Remember, some things should not be made ahead of time. For example, a salad that’s been in the refrigerator tends to wilt, and turkey or other meats can dry out if you reheat them. 

Have an Efficient System for Leftovers

Most holiday meals produce more food than even the hungriest guests can consume. When you hand over containers to leaving guests, you never see your Tupperware again. A good plan is to gather some disposable containers to hand out. Save containers from takeaway meals or delis. 

Follow a Step-By-Step Christmas Day Plan

Planning a big holiday event can be challenging. The main thing is to avoid catching up at the last minute when stores are overcrowded, and everyone is frantic. The better you plan, the more smoothly everything will proceed.