5 tips to create a delicious holiday spread

‘Tis the season for entertaining, meaning the hustle and bustle of the holidays are already on. Fortunately, being named “hostess (or host) with the mostest” is well within your reach if you follow these tips guaranteed to keep the holiday cheer flowing.

Get creative with your menu.
Look beyond the usual roasts and side dishes toward more original, restaurant-inspired items that you know guests will love.

Let your freezer be your biggest helper.
Frozen foods are a quick-and-easy solution to have on hand, especially when you’re cooking for an unexpected crowd. Plus, when your freezer’s stocked with tried-and-true holiday favourites, like seafood, you automatically save time and can get your shopping done weeks in advance. So be sure to shop the frozen aisle for easy-to-make, heat-and-eat options throughout the season to take your entertaining from frozen to festive in minutes.

Keep your guests involved.
The holidays are all about giving, so why not let each of your party guests bring a dish to help complete your holiday spread? This way, everyone has something they really love as part of the meal and you’ve saved valuable time (and hassle) by delegating some of the cooking responsibilities. Bonus: Potluck-style dishes tend to serve as great conversation starters.

Make your list and check it twice.
Before the holiday craziness sets in, sit down and create a shopping list of all the food and supplies you’ll need throughout the season. When you can, shop early, so you won’t have to be out and about so much during peak holiday times. Staying organised will make for smooth, seamless and stress-free mealtime moments, which you’ll be thankful for down the road.

Let the kids pitch in.
Everyone loves to get in the spirit of the holiday season any way they can, especially kids. Don’t be afraid to offer small jobs to your children to lighten your load and keep them busy. Planning ahead will help make entertaining a breeze this holiday season. With these simple tips, you can reduce your holiday stress-level and serve up quick-and-easy meals filled with holiday cheer.