ENTERTAINING
Hosting the Holidays
DOMESTIC DIVA MARTHA STEWART SHARES TIPS TO MAKE YOUR CELEBRATION A SUCCESS
P
COMPILED BY LAURA ADAMS STIANSEN
reparing for the holidays can be overwhelming.
Host and hostesses can use all the help they can
get. That’s why we asked the queen of hospital-
ity, Martha Stewart — who grew up in Nutley —
to share with (201) Family readers her best tips
for celebrating the holidays stress-free.
STEWART OFFERS THESE TIPS:
• Trying to get everything done at the last minute with guests
knocking at your door sparks serious stress. Instead, pace yourself.
Think about what you can prepare in advance and make a checklist
of all the ingredients you need. When it comes time to shop
(ideally a few days before the big event), avoid the evening
weekday rush and weekend crowds. The day of, set the table in
the morning so that unforeseen events — a late meeting, a last
minute stop at the wine cellar — don’t slow things down.
Right before your guests arrive, dim the lights, light some
candles, and pour yourself a glass of wine.
• Set up an inviting and convenient bar cart and include a
signature cocktail.
• Serve buffet style when hosting a big gathering. It is the most
practical, and setting a beautiful and impressive buffet is easier
than you think. Bundle your flatware — fork, knife and spoon — in
individual napkins; that way, each guest can pick it up and take it
with them to their chair. Set up your buffet table a couple nights
in advance of Thanksgiving. Label the placement of each dish with
a post-it note. This way you won’t forgot anything that should go
on the buffet and you ensure your table layout is ready in advance.
• Cut back on last minute grocery trips and stock up on baking
ingredients early. Be sure you have the basics you’ll need most
often: butter, flour, granulated and brown sugars, baking powder
and soda, yeast, and vanilla extract.
• Have a simple cookie dough in your repertoire. With the
arrival of each holiday, you can make new treats by changing
the mix ins, using such ingredients as zest, dried cherries, spices,
or white chocolate and macadamia nuts.
• Start wrapping presents early, but add ribbons, bows, and tags
later. Don’t forget to label gifts with sticky notes so that you don’t
forget who gets what. Unadorned boxes are stackable and, as a
result, will be easy to store and transport. ●
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HOLIDAY 2018 | (201) FAMILY
OMNIMEDIA
• Add must-haves to your kitchen gadget collection:
A microplane zester, balloon whisk, stainless steel measuring
cups and spoons, potato masher, and garlic press make food
prep so much faster and easier for both Thanksgiving feasts
and everyday dinners.