Stress Less This Holiday Season - A Foolproof Hosting Timeline

The holidays – a magical time of year filled with delicious feasts and cherished moments with loved ones. Sounds dreamy, right? Until reality hits: hosting. Cue the stress, the panic, and the “why did I volunteer for this?” moment that many of us are all too familiar with. Don’t worry, Schmidt Bros. has got your back! This year, keep your cool by following this timeline for a stress-free, organized, and enjoyable gathering that is sure to impress every guest at the table. 

Two Weeks Before: 

Start off by making, finalizing, and inviting your guest list. Is your cousin Sarah bringing her “friend”? Confirming early on saves you from last-minute chaos and from over- or under-preparing food. 

Next, plan out your menu. Think big: appetizers, main courses, sides, desserts, and beverages. Decide what you will cook and what others can bring. Need inspiration? Check out some of our past blogs for creative recipe ideas that will wow your guests.

• Soups Galore
• Fall-Inspired Recipes 
• Warm & Cozy Winter Recipes
• More Fall Flavors 
• Ginger Cranberry Cookies  

Check your kitchen to make sure you have all the tools you will need to make for a seamless prep and dining experience. Do you have enough forks, knives, spoons, or serving utensils? (This is your excuse to treat yourself to that new Schmidt Bros. cutlery set you have been eyeing.) 

• A few hosting must-haves include: a trusty knife block set for all your chopping and slicing needs, a beautifully-presented steak knife set for the table, and a carving set to tackle the bird. 

Let’s move onto decor. You will need to pick a theme: Cozy and rustic? Chic and modern? Whatever floats your boat, just make sure to keep it cohesive! Then head to the store (or Amazon) to be sure you have what you need early on and do not have to stress about it day-of. Pro Tip: Use seasonal elements like pinecones or cranberries for a budget-friendly elegant look. 

Your final step this week is to create a shopping list. Make your life easier this year by dividing up the list into ingredients for each dish or into refrigerator, freezer, and non-perishables sections. 

One Week Before: 

Before you head to the grocery store, lock in which guests are bringing what. Our tip is to be crystal clear: “Please bring a salad” avoids the stress of five people showing up with pumpkin pie. 

Next, make a trip to the grocery store for all of your ingredients. Hit the store early to beat any crowds and ensure you are not stuck with the last sad-looking bunch of parsley or the smallest turkey. 

Finally, this week work on doing a deep clean of your home. Tackle the dining room, kitchen, and guest bathroom so you will only need to do a quick final clean-up before the guests arrive next week. 

The Day Before: 

Prep and organize some of your ingredients to make your life easier when tomorrow rolls around. You can chop veggies, marinate meats, and start baking desserts to get a head-start. 

We recommend setting the table the day before; It will be one less thing to stress about tomorrow. Lay out your cutlery, plates, and centerpieces. A pre-set table really screams, “I have my life together”.

And finally, make sure to get a good night of sleep! While tomorrow’s gathering may be stressing you out, it is important to rest so you have all the energy you need to cook, host, and of course enjoy. 

Day Of: Let the Feast Begin! 

Get cooking! Roast your pre-chopped veggies, get your meat dishes in the oven, and prepare sides galore. 

After you have finished cooking and tearing up your kitchen, do a final quick clean-up before guests arrive. You can delegate a different room to each family member to make this process more efficient.

Get the food on the table and do any final plating touches, so that you can finally breathe when guests arrive. 

Now, you can relax!! Grab a drink, make some memories, and remember – if all else fails, there’s always takeout and next year! 

[Blog: Fia Natanov]