Ultimate List From Metro

From decking the halls to trimming the tree and preparing your feast, holiday party planning can be exhausting! Metro has some stress-free tips to make your party the talk of the town! They have done the research and put together a list of need-to-know tips and techniques for an effortlessly unforgettable get-together. In combination with family, friends, laughter and love you will be set for the perfect holiday season. Enjoy!

1.     Creative serving – Instead of communal bowls of nuts, try a more eye-catching and hygienic presentation by putting snacks in clear-glass, narrow-necked decanters. Guests can pour nut and trail mixes themselves, and it looks great, too!  ~ Love this idea! 

2.     Stagger serving times – If all food is served at the start of the night, guests are likely to gorge and go home early. Keep your party hopping by serving your tasty hors d’oeuvres all night long. ~ Another fab idea I hadn’t thought of before! 

3.     Impress with a signature cocktail – Channel your inner mixologist and offer guests a unique signature cocktail for your holiday party. Be sure to have other non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages to offer alongside this cocktail. ~ I have seen this before and haven’t attempted it yet! Great Idea! 

4.     Prep in advance – The ‘day of’ for the party planner is always hectic! Between set up, last-minute errands, and wrangling the kids – stress is high. Try prepping what you can a few days before. Things like fruit trays, cheese and cracker platters and Swedish meatballs can all be put together a day or two in advance. ~ This is such an important step and something I work hard at doing with each party I host. 

5.     Presentation is everything – When preparing food trays and hors d’oeuvres platters, have fun! Use the Canadian winter landscape as inspiration by placing pine-cones and frosted pine needles in your tray display. ~ Bringing the outdoors in… LOVE IT! 

6.     Fast and fancy – Limited time? Solicit the help of the frozen food aisle! Metro’s private label line, Irresistibles, offers delicious appetizers perfect for party planners, with selection and creativity covered. ~ Amazing line up for the holidays! Some yummy choices for sure! 

7.     Tidy as you go – No one likes waking up to a mess, by tidying bit by bit during your party, the house will be kept clean for your guests, too! ~ I sometimes can get a wee bit crazy with this one. So important to me to keep things tidy as I work. 

8.     Set the ambiance – A beautiful candle display can never go wrong at a holiday party. ~ Very important! 

9.     Provide plenty of options – Be sure to provide an assortment of appetizer options at your holiday bash to keep all types of appetites full and happy! ~ Everyone’s different variety is always good! 

10.  Enjoy yourself – This is your party, too! You’ve worked hard and it’s important to enjoy the environment, interact with your guests and taste your delicious treats! ~ Have Fun, Smile and Enjoy! CHEERS! 

Thanks for reading In R Dream!

(Thanks to Metro for the beautiful gift basket this holiday season and amazing tips to share! )