The holiday season is upon us, and chances are you’ll be hosting or attending a party (or two, or three) in the upcoming months.
The key to a great party is to prepare for both the expected and the unexpected, so here are a few things you’ll want in your party planning arsenal this holiday season:
Scenario #1: Food – The Turkey
You’re in charge of the turkey this year and the thought of having to present something dry and tasteless to your guest has you in a cold sweat. You find yourself basting your turkey lovingly every 20 minutes, willing the large fowl to crisp and brown to a dinner worthy of the holiday table.
At the end of your set cooking time, you’re left unsure if the meat is done. What’s a master chef to do?
According to the USDA, turkey is cooked through when the internal temperature of a thigh reaches 180 degrees F. You’ll want a thermometer for dependable accuracy, and you should insert an oven-safe or instant-read one in several places (don’t allow the tip to touch the bone). Keep in mind that the meat will continue to cook even once it comes out of the oven.
If your turkey turns out dry, step one in dealing with dry turkey is to fill a spray bottle with warm chicken stock and spray it over the meat as your carve it. (Do this away from your unsuspecting guest, of course!) The spray won’t actually make the meat any moister, but it will prevent further drying.
Next, it’s time to break out the gravy. Amazing gravy can help fix a mediocre turkey; so while you can’t practice making a Turkey before the big day, make sure you have your gravy recipe down pat.
Scenario #2: Drinks – The Wine
You’ve got your 2 liters of coke, homemade punch, and the best wine you can afford. But the guests have arrived, and you were so busy putting the finishing touches on your centerpieces you forgot to chill any of the drinks!
Luckily wine is a relatively easy fix. Rich, intense red wines can be served in temperatures as low as 65 degrees F, while medium white wines should be kept at about 48 degrees F. Prevent a wine serving faux pas and invest in a wine cooler to house your best bottles.
Wine coolers are a great way to keep your collection at a stable temperature, so as not to ruin the taste of the wine at all. If you’re only a casual wine drinker, small 8 bottle countertop wine chillers are ideal for you.
For any drinks that require ice, be sure to have a steady supply on hand with a countertop ice maker. These little units work in minutes and produce multiple pounds of ice daily. People probably won’t remember your party for your ice cold drinks, but don’t become notorious for having room temperature ones.
For a fast chill of wine bottles or cans, swirl them in a bowl of salt, water and crushed ice. In a couple minutes you’ll have a refreshing drink.
Scenario #3: Fun – Game Time
The meal’s over and people are really starting to relax. The only problem is they’re relaxing a little too much. Pep things up with a fun game or two!
Prepare ahead of time by asking your guest to come with white elephant gifts – something they’ve received from someone else that they don’t want or need. Watch everyone come alive as they laugh at the ridiculousness of an ice skating kitten figurine, and fight and steal for that Shake Weight.
If you find yourself in trouble with no board games in sight, make up your own. Play Two Truths and A Lie by having your guest write down two true things about themselves and one lie, and go around trying to guess which one is the lie for each person. Put a holiday spin on it by having each person write down two of the worst holiday presents they’ve ever received along with one made up worst holiday present.
Another idea is to have each person write down three secrets no one at the party knows about them, put in a pile, and try to guess which descriptions belong to each person. Make sure everyone is participating, so everyone is in on the fun!
Holiday parties should be about being with loved ones and having a good time. Don’t let mishaps turn into disasters, so be prepared and set the mood of the party by always staying upbeat. Make it a fun one by being a good host and refilling people’s drinks– especially the wine – throughout the night.
Happy holiday planning!
What’s your holiday party mishap story?
How did you avoid complete disaster?
