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Dukes and Duchesses

Dallas Fort Worth Creative Lifestyle Blogger

housekeeping parties/entertaining · Written by Randi Dukes

5 Tips for Simple Holiday Entertaining

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My tips for simple holiday entertaining are part of a sponsored post and steam mop review for the Swiffer BISSELL STEAMBOOST.  I received a steam mop and further compensation but all opinions are my own.

I love holiday entertaining but it can sometimes be stressful, can’t it?  I recently hosted a little gathering for friends and it was so simple and so enjoyable {even for me as the hostess} that I thought I’d share some of my tips for simple entertaining.  I have five tips that will make your holiday gatherings less stressful and more enjoyable for both you and your guests.

5 tips for simple holiday entertaining

1. Plan on paper.

5 tips for simple holiday entertaining

At least a week prior to your event, make a list.  Plan the menu, decide what errands you need to run, and establish your guest list and send invitations.  Even if you’re not a planner and don’t love lists like I do, planning every detail eliminates stress and takes the last-minute decision-making and guesswork out of the day.

5 tips for simple holiday entertaining

2.  Throw a party with a friend.

5 tips for simple holiday entertaining

I co-hosted this gathering with a friend and it was so stinkin’ fun!  We shopped together, set up together, and entertained our friends together.  Not only was it so fun to host a party with my sweet friend but it benefited our guests as well.  We took turns greeting guests, serving drinks, and guiding the conversation … which eliminated a lot of the typical hostess pressure that I often feel.

5 tips for simple holiday entertaining

3.  Avoid last minute stress by setting your space hours before the party.

5 tips for simple holiday entertaining

If I’m hosting a sit-down dinner, I set the table hours {and sometimes a day} in advance.  This party was hosted as a self-serve buffet but I set out all my serving dishes and utensils hours before, figuring out the flow and layout well before my guests arrived.  Running around at the last minute not only makes me feel stressed but it doesn’t establish a relaxed environment for guests either.

5 tips for simple holiday entertaining

4.  Cut yourself a break and serve storebought goodies.

5 tips for simple holiday entertaining

I love to cook and often serve homemade meals to friends but this party was all about the storebought food, a simple way to entertain when life is feeling rushed and hectic.  It was simple for me and my guests loved it!  I shopped at a high-end grocery store for gourmet items and set out a fun variety of food and drinks.  Before the party, I simply placed the food in serving dishes without any other prep work.

5 tips for simple holiday entertaining

5.  Set a cleaning plan.

Nothing ruins the idea of having friends over more than the idea of spending an entire day scrubbing toilets, mopping, vacuuming, and transforming the house from kid quality to museum quality.

I avoid the last minute day-of-cleaning by scheduling my cleaning throughout the week prior.  It may sound a bit Type A but I promise you it’ll eliminate that “why did I invite friends over?” thought.  Make a list of the tasks you want to accomplish {cleaning the kitchen, dusting the family room, washing the kitchen floor} and allocate different tasks to different days.  Some tasks need to be done at the last minute {ahem, toilet cleaning} but some tasks can be done days in advance and still look great at party time {dusting the family room}.

One thing that’s making my last minute cleaning {and my party clean-up} so much more enjoyable this holiday season is my Swiffer BISSELL STEAMBOOST!  If you know me, you know that I hate mopping my kitchen floor.  The Swiffer BISSELL STEAMBOOST has taken the nastiness out of this chore!

5 tips for simple holiday entertaining

I add a steam pad to the device, plug it in, and steam clean floors quickly and easily.  It’s simple enough that my kids can help with the job or I can do it right before guests arrive {allowing a few minutes of drying time, of course}.  I love this new steam mop and I’m not exaggerating when I tell you it’s transformed my floor cleaning, penetrating through the dirt that gets dragged in by five kids and a dog!

5 tips for simple holiday entertainingHow do you keep holiday entertaining from being overwhelming?  What are your tips for making entertaining less stressful?


9 Comments

About Randi Dukes

I’m Randi, a Dallas-based mom of five kids, ranging from third grade to college and including a set of twins. I love strong coffee, craft and DIY projects, my planner, and my big ol’ family. When I’m not creating something for my blog, I can be found in the car, running kids from one place to another. I’m the one knitting at the red light. Connect with me on google+ | twitter | facebook

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Comments

  1. Bonnie @ Uncommon Designs says

    November 16, 2013 at 5:33 pm

    Great tips Randi! There is nothing wrong with store bought ! 😉

    Reply
  2. Heather says

    November 17, 2013 at 7:16 pm

    Ok – now I’m starving looking at all of that yummy food! Great tips on entertaining! That Bissell looks wonderful!

    Reply
  3. Kelly says

    November 19, 2013 at 7:46 am

    Fantastic tips to keep in mind… ’tis the season for keeping our houses tidy and serving lots of yummy treats 🙂

    Reply
  4. Cheryl @ That's What Che Said... says

    November 19, 2013 at 11:24 am

    Excellent tips! I am pinning this!

    Reply
  5. Steph @ The Silly Pearl says

    November 19, 2013 at 12:12 pm

    Everything looks so good and pretty too! Thanks for the great tips.
    I love Bissell…the steam mop would be perfect for our floors.

    Reply
  6. ChiWei says

    November 19, 2013 at 3:26 pm

    Not sure what I was thinking, but I have a 2 month old at home and I’m hosting Thanksgiving next week. 6 adults, 4 kids. You better believe I’ll be using your tips! Although setting the table early may not work for us, since 2 of those kids can destroy a house 🙂

    Reply
  7. malia says

    November 19, 2013 at 9:04 pm

    Love the tips and that Steamboost looks VERRRY handy for this time of the year!

    Reply
  8. Meredith @ Wait Til Your Father Gets Home says

    November 21, 2013 at 12:15 pm

    Liking that you set a cleaning plan beforehand. That would definitely eliminate some stress!

    Reply
  9. Rachel @ {i love} my disorganized life says

    November 23, 2013 at 8:34 am

    I totally agree with planning ahead! I am so much more at ease {no stress!} when I prepare ahead of time, but I usually run behind! Thanks for the tips, I really needed them!

    Reply

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Welcome to Dukes & Duchesses!

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I’m Randi, a mom of five living in Dallas. I love strong coffee, long lists, bright colors, thrift stores, repurposed junk, and power tools.

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