Although Christmas is meant to be a joyous time, a chance to relax and unwind with friends and family, it can often be stressful. Especially if you’re hosting.
With a queue of hungry guests expecting delicious food and wanting to be kept entertained, the pressure to deliver on Christmas day can make it hard to savour the moment and enjoy your own festivities.
We’ve put together a list of Christmas hosting hacks that do exactly that. From pre-planning your cooking schedule to investing in some extra appliances – make this Christmas the least stressful (and most enjoyable) yet.
Make a plan before the big day
One of the toughest things about hosting, especially on Christmas Day, is juggling the various cooking times. With so many different elements to take care of, nailing down the correct cooking times and putting together a plan beforehand will make life much easier.
Ideally, once you know how long everything will take to cook, you should be able to time it so that your meat, veg, stuffing and Yorkshire puddings all finish cooking at the same time.
Meal prep as much as you can ahead of time
Cooking every single dish on the day is a tall order, so why not cook some of them in advance of the big day and freeze them? Roast potatoes are a perfect example of something that can be prepped ahead of time and kept in the fridge or freezer. All you have to do on the day is season them and stick them in the oven.
It’s not just ingredients and dishes that can be prepped in advance and stored in the freezer – you can freeze condiments too. Everything from bread and cranberry sauces to gravy can be kept in the freezer and simply warmed through on Christmas morning, saving space in your fridge for other ingredients.
Save time and hassle
simultaneously can be almost impossible. If you’re staggering cooking times, you can easily end up with some ingredients going cold – a real headache when you’re juggling last-minute prep and hosting duties.
The easiest way to overcome this issue is with a tabletop appliance, such as an air fryer. Many elements of a traditional Christmas can be done in your trusty air fryer. Elevate your sprouts by sprinkling them in olive oil and salt and popping them in the air fryer for 16 – 18 minutes.
An air fryer will also be a saving grace for any other parties, excelling at giving party snacks like sausage rolls, spring rolls, and pigs-in-blankets a delightfully crisp texture in minutes.
At Christmas time, they can be used alongside your oven to help you cook multiple dishes simultaneously, saving valuable time and making your day a whole lot less stressful. If you really want to be the hostess with the mostest then get your hands on a warming drawer, too. If you mis-time things and end up cooking some ingredients quicker than others, these handy appliances can keep everything warm until the whole meal is ready to serve.
Don’t be afraid to use your microwave
The microwave has to be the most popular time-saving appliance, and it has its place on Christmas Day too. Yes, we know – there’s still a certain stigma associated with microwave meals.
But the reality is that microwave ovens can still come in handy at Christmas, and they’re surprisingly capable. Some vegetables (like sprouts) can be cooked in a microwave with satisfying results, and even steamed puddings (like Christmas pudding) can be cooked convincingly in the microwave too.
If you want an even more versatile microwave, why not invest in a combi model? With built-in grilling and cooking functions, these impressive appliances can make Christmas day even easier.
Keep guests entertained with a wine cooler
Want to keep your guests entertained and keep the conversation flowing? Of course you do. Beverage coolers and wine fridges are a great way to do exactly that, ensuring your guests always have a glass of their favourite drink to hand. After all, Christmas drinks are (almost) as important as the food itself!
Stop juggling and start celebrating. Implement these steps, and you’ll find yourself stepping out of the kitchen and into the festive cheer. Make this your most enjoyable Christmas yet.
Find time-saving appliances right here at Cookology
From stylish wine chillers through to versatile combi microwaves, table top ovens and air fryers, we’ve got everything you need to upgrade your kitchen in readiness for Christmas here at Cookology. Get a head start on the big day and explore our range of quality kitchen appliances for yourself.
