Christmas hosting is a time and activity fraught with possible pitfalls but also the potential for fun, frolics and festivities. Drink plays a major part in this; fall short and visitors will be making their excuses and getting out the door quicker than you can say ‘festive pint at the local’. Provide too much, however, and a year’s built up tension is likely to come crashing out, slurred and savagely. So, to give you a shot at earning the title of hostess with the most-est this Christmas, we’ve teamed up with the the experts at i heart Wines to have your guests ‘rioja-ing’ around the tree in no time. With all of this in mind, here are 5 IDEAL Christmas hosting tips.
Do the math
Work out how many bottles of wine you’ll need, bearing in mind you get about 6-8 glasses per bottle. It may seem an overly functional, tedious task, but the simple maths are essential to ensuring the right party-based lubrication is on point. Think about your guests. Are they driving or staying the night? Do they like a rollicking time or something more sedate? Always remember the golden rule of hosting though, and that is: never run out of wine.
Look after the pennies
After a few glasses and some rich, heavy food, the calibre of wine is less likely to be noticed as tongues get looser and clarity is blurred, so don’t fixate on premium bottles for the whole evening. As a rule, start with the finest drop and allow the quality to slide in time with people’s morals.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that hosting a successful party involves splashing out on the most expensive wine you can find. With a rich variety of quality wines from all over the world, available from high street shops, you can jazz up your seasonal menu with something a little bit special with these delicious i heart Wines for around £8.
Add some festive flair
A simple way to make your table shine is to roll some coloured napkins and wrap them with a contrasting ribbon in satin, velvet, lace or elastic sequins. For extra festive flair, add some holly, bells or candy canes to make your table look spectacular. Crackers, although a little corny, add a bit of sparkle to the table if they fit the festive aesthetic.
Get the most out of your wine
Sparkling wine, such as Prosecco or Cava, should be served chilled, but not so cold that it kills the flavour. Three hours in the fridge usually does the trick – or pop a bottle in the freezer one hour before opening if you have less time. White wines should be served ‘fridge cold’ – around 7-14˚C – and remember that the lighter and zestier the wine is, the colder is can be served. Rich red wines on the other hand, such as Malbec or Rioja, should be served ‘slightly cool’ as the higher tannins in red wine smooth out at warmer temperatures.
Put your party hat on
There’s nothing more likely to kill the buzz of a party than a host constantly fussing or out of the picture in the kitchen. Once the party prep is taken care of, relax and get in the spirit by popping on playlist with all the Christmas classics and entertaining with conversation and quips. If you’re receiving guests with kids, put a holiday favourite on the TV, such as Home Alone or Elf, or introduce some friendly competition with some seasonal party games like a Christmas movie trivia quiz or pin the tail on the reindeer. Great fun!