Keep calm and carry on hosting

The cold winter months are full of opportunities for celebration, and the summer sun brings everyone together to enjoy the warmer days. No matter what time of year, gathering your close friends and family together to enjoy good food and drinks and spend quality time together is an ancient tradition which is bound please all of your guests.

However, when you’re planning on hosting multiple people at your own home staying on top of your family’s everyday needs 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, whatever it may be!

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Take a kitchen inventory

Every family has go-to staples they need on a weekly basis, all year round. To make sure you don’t run out of any must-have items, do a quick tour of your kitchen and list what you know you can’t do without on any given week, along with the quantities you usually go through. Your list will be unique to your family, but may include items like a pint of milk, a loaf or two of bread, a carton of eggs or boxes of pasta. Hosting guests for more than a couple of days? Simply double your list.

Plan your menus

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.

Shop ahead

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 last-minute run for a few key items. Better yet, skip the store all together and order online.

One-stop shop when you can

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 tine out shopping.

Organise your kitchen

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.

With these tips, you’re bound to feel more prepared and ready to relax and enjoy your precious time with family and friends.