However, hosting multiple people can seem overwhelming, and you can find yourself not being able to enjoy the fun events you put so much effort into planning. The good news is that with a little planning, you can save yourself stress and have everything you need to be able to relax and enjoy the occasion!
For special holidays, dinners or other occasions when you plan to entertain, make a menu well ahead of the event so you can check your recipes and make sure you’ve got everything you’ll need. If your recipes call for fresh ingredients, plan to pick them up close to the event date. Make a note to yourself on your calendar or planner so you won’t forget.
Make the time to shop these essentials well ahead of any holidays or busy weekends, so you won’t be hustling through crowds to fill your cart while you’re stocking up. This helps relieve stress, even if you need to do a lastminute run for a few key items. Better yet, skip the store all together and order online.
To avoid having to run around town when you’d rather be at home enjoying the company of your friends and family, find one supermarket you can depend on to have everything you may need at good quality and affordable prices. That way you can get everything you need in one location and can spend minimal time out shopping.
You don’t have to do it all yourself. You can enlist family members to help you with food prep, clean-up, table setting and decoration. Even young children can take on simple tasks, with a little direction- and they love to contribute. It really helps to lessen the load, and builds a feeling of camaraderie when everyone pitches in.