DANIELLE's STRESS FREE HOLIDAY TIPS

Decide on the party’s personality. Formal, elegant or a low-key get together. 

Make your menu, and atmosphere reflect your celebration’s style. 

Menu  

• The absolute key is to not make it too complicated, pick items that can be prepared easily in advance. 

• Appetizers. Plan 5-6 bites per person, per hour, set out 3 different types of appetizers for up to 10 people. Add one extra option for each additional 10 people. Dips are delish and easy. Serve them in small bowls and jars and keep extras in your fridge; just pull them out when your supply is running low. A great cheese and artisan meat platter is always in style too. 

• Embrace the buffet. Choose one salad, one meat entree, one seafood entree and one vegetarian option. Precut all veggies for the salad and keep them in ziplock bags. Have dressing pre-measured too and just toss everything before serving. Choose entrees that can be prepared in advance and kept on low in the oven. 

• Don’t Forget Dessert! Go with something decadent or opt for healthy and delicious: Offer up fruit skewers with a chocolate dip, roasted pears with honey and thyme, or a light and fluffy angel food cake with berries. 

Drinks

• Set up a self service bar with an ice bowl and scoop, cut lemons & limes, stirrers, cocktail napkins, one vodka, one gin, one rum, tonic water, one lemon lime soda, coke, diet coke and sparking water 

• Make a specialty cocktail in advance and present it in a beverage server or punch bowl to keep yourself from constant refilling. Pick a fun garnish. (Make a virgin version for little ones but be sure to label!) 

• Pick one red, one white and a sparkling wine for the evening

• Plan on 1.5 beverages per person, per hour 

Timing

 • Place appetizers out shortly before the guests’ come. Whether your party is formal or casual, give your guests a respite to mingle and relax on arrival. 

• Plan on putting out buffet items 1-1 1/2 hours after guest arrival. Keep the buffet out for at least 45 minutes. 

• Plan on putting out dessert 1/2 hour after the buffet in a second location to make sure guests that may depart early have something sweet. 

Decor

 • Keep it simple. Fill glass vases with ornaments, put out flowers, and white votives. For an easy, elegant look, trim the mantel with fresh garland, a string of white lights, and dramatic white amaryllises. 

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

• Set up a day by day checklist of pre-entertaining tasks that can be completed in advance. 

• A few days prior to your party, pull out your serving platters, cocktail napkins, small plates and utensils and label them with sticky notes so that you’re not stressing to find what you need the day of the event. 

• Have a place to put the coats, seriously. Clear out your coat closet beforehand or pick up a collapsible racks at the container store. 

Give Yourself Time to Enjoy Your Guests

• Want to skip the cooking this year? Yella is happy to provide platters of your favorite dishes to go. 

• Don’t over commit yourself—keep things simple enough that you can enjoy the party, too.