Expert Hosts Share Their Advice for Holiday Entertaining

假期娱乐可以召唤两个不同的图像：一张，一群咆哮的朋友，一群咆哮的朋友，享受很好红葡萄酒亚搏电竞和从图片完美的小吃charcuterie platter—and another disturbing picture of a haggard host, desperately trying to set out food, drinks, and stylish décor in time for the first of many guests to arrive. But holiday entertaining doesn’t have to be difficult; with these tips from America’s top hosts and hostesses, you’ll be able to throw a flawless—and absolutely delicious—holiday celebration stress-free.

从Camille Styles摘录的作者Camille Styles卡米尔风格很有趣和目标风格专家。“虽然有很多practical challenges attached to holiday entertaining, I think the biggest challenge is mindset,” she says. “Holiday entertaining isn’t about ‘impressing your guests.’ It is about creating a welcoming environment that enables guests—and you—to relax and savor good food, fun drinks, and most importantly, conversation that strengthens lasting connections. When that’s the focus, suddenly things don’t feel so stressful anymore.”

1. Serve wine family-style.When throwing a holiday party, don’t be host和bartender, advises Samantha Wasser, a near-pro at home entertaining and cofounder ofDez和By Chloe. By serving wine family style, you will “minimize people getting up and down during dinner” Wasser points out. “You want your guests’ glasses to stay full, but these shortcuts will save on time and running around once you’re all seated for dinner.” Bonus tip: “If you know your family and friends are partial to a particular wine, pre-open a few bottles and leave them in the kitchen to grab if you need to restock the table at any point,” she says.

2.或进行节日拳。“Everyone loves a festive尖刺的拳at the holidays, and I keep mine super simple with pomegranate juice, citrus-infused vodka, and bubbles,” says Styles. “I dress it by adding fruit and herb garnishes and a cinnamon stick-filled ice-ring to my punch bowl. Place stackable tumbler glasses by its side so guests can help themselves.”

3.选择可以制作数小时或天的小吃和开胃菜. “For quick snacks and appetizers, anything that can be done ahead of time is a life saver,” says Brian Riggenbach,Chopped冠军和The Mockingbird的行政总厨。想想：橄榄腌制的迷迭香，大蒜和柑橘皮或一碗五香坚果。或者，“一个非常不错的蘸料 - 黑木乃伊或鞭打的香草山羊奶酪 - 您可以提前准备，用面包或饼干准备，并将其称为一天，” Riggenbach说。“三人olives，坚果和蘸料效果很好，令人印象深刻，而不会过分挑剔。另外，坚果和橄榄在室温下保持，在准备鸟时易于拔出。”

4. That confit garlic? You can make it too.Riggenbach says this simple recipe is all you’ll need to make any holiday dish really shine: “Take a handful of pre-peeled garlic, throw it in a small casserole or baking dish, toss in whatever草药you have and a few peppercorns, cover in olive oil, and throw in the oven at 300-degrees Fahrenheit for an hour and a half,” he instructs. “Once you take it out of the oven and let it cool, strain out the garlic, leaving the herbs behind to continue flavoring the oil. And voila! Now you have a super flavorful oil to baste your turkey—or tofurky—or you can also use it in a simple vinaigrette for a salad.”

5. Don’t do it all yourself.Wasser说：“不要害怕在最需要的地方寻求帮助。”“也许那是在捡起一些已经制造的appetizersor asking a family member or friend to bring dessert. Just be kind to yourself. Getting even just a little support will relieve so much pressure and ensure you actually get to enjoy the holiday season while hosting.”