How to Host your First Christmas as Newlyweds

‘Tis the season to entertain!

Is it your turn to host a Christmas dinner, or a party with friends and family this year?  If you are newly married, this is the perfect time to volunteer to host!  You can bring both of your families together for Christmas—and use some of those gifts you haven’t had a chance to use yet.

I love to entertain!  To me, it’s so fun to cook a meal in our home, and use my pretty platters, vintage mismatched china and serving utensils.  If you’re hosting Christmas this year (or a dinner party anytime of the year!), newlywed or not, here are a few tips that you might find useful.

Plan Ahead

Don’t wait until the last minute to plan your Christmas dinner, plan ahead and get your game plan ready.  Make a menu of everything you will serve.  Two Tips: make a note of what ingredients you have in stock at your house that you do not have to buy, and make a list of what you need to buy at the grocery store.  If you have your shopping list prepared weeks in advance, you can pick up one or two things on your list each time you’re at the grocery store.  This will be much easier on that newlywed wallet of yours!

Ask Guests to Bring Something

Don’t think you must do everything yourself!  Ask some of your guests to bring a side item or a dessert to your Christmas feast!  Usually your guests will ask you what they can bring.  We are in the South, where it’s proper to bring something to a party.

Cook Ahead

Prepare side dishes the weekend before, and put them in the freezer.  Pull them out a day or two before to thaw in the refrigerator, and then they are ready to pop in the oven.  You could also bake your dessert the night before to save some oven space.

Label Your Serving Dishes

I saw this awesome idea on a cooking show.  Set out your serving dishes in advance, and label what will go in each with a sticky note.  If you have someone helping you pull everything together, they can look at the labels and know what to put in each dish. 

Set the Table

Set the table in advance.  This is where you can use plates and silverware that you received from your registry.  Don’t worry if it doesn’t all match, the main thing is that you’re making memories hosting your first Christmas together as newlyweds!  Spruce up your table setting with a pretty flower arrangement and candles that coordinates with the season.  If you want to get festive, check out Pinterest for tons of ideas.  From napkins that are folded to look like Christmas trees, pretty pops of metallics, and rosemary herbs used to create little wreaths—there are so many ideas.

What are you waiting for?!? Get your new hubby in the kitchen, and let him help you plan, cook, and host your first Christmas together!  Don't forget to have a playlist of Christmas tunes in the background.

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