When it comes to hosting your holiday get-together, the “beauty is in the details.”
“As the host, you want to make sure everyone feels comfortable and the way to do that is to keep them well fed and hydrated,” while paying attention to the “little details,” said Brittany Quinn, the event co-ordinator and content creator at EVENTMRKT, an event space on Doug Duncan Drive in Newmarket.
It can be simple things like presenting soda water with a sprig of rosemary, creating personalized place setting cards, or stringing fairy lights around the table. Hosts can purchase flowers from the grocery story and make their own arrangements.
“Go on Amazon and get some cute, tapered candles or thrift old tapered candle holders, which adds a nice touch to the table … It’s all the little extra details that people want and appreciate, and it goes a long way.”
Popular this year, Quinn said, is the use of bows in decorating, a trend she sees continuing. Bows can be used on the tree, on garlands outside and in, and even in table settings.
“Also, using fruits and vegetables instead of flowers or incorporating fruits and vegetables into flower arrangements.”
“Sober curious” is also gaining in popularity.
“People are starting to cut alcohol out of their lives,” Quinn said. “It’s becoming quite the trend to not drink because it’s a life choice.”
To keep up with the demand, EVENTMRKT now offers a couple of alcohol-free beers and mocktails at events.
Offering a custom cocktail and a mocktail as “a welcome drink” is a great way to kick off a party.
And, Quinn reminds people that when the guests arrive, the work should be done so you “can enjoy the time and sit down and chat with your guests. At the end of the day, once the guests come, you just need to live in the moment.”
For hosts, that means planning ahead: Write a list for what you need, prep the food the night before, and set the table before guests arrive.
And, don’t forget to ask for help.
“People want to (help). It makes them feel part of the day.”
The holidays are a nostalgic time for people, Quinn said.
“I love the holidays. It’s a great excuse (to get) together and create beautiful memories with family and friends.”
Other tips and tricks, courtesy of Quinn:
- Tidy up the house before your party to avoid “bad vibes.”
- Place food in nice dishes to make it visually appealing.
- Create a charcuterie board, which is still popular. Quinn said people should remember to make the board visually appealing. “Go for fancy crackers. Sub out Ritz for something else.” Quinn also has seen the rise of butter boards. Butter boards see softened butter spread on a board, topped with salt and edible flowers. People then use various types of bread to scoop up the butter.
- Offer an “abundance of food, especially if people are drinking.”
- Provide a good playlist.
- Offer something “fun for everyone to do,” such as playing a trivia game or painting a wine glass, two things Quinn has done with her friends.
- Think about the ambiance: “Light some candles; dim the lights a bit.”
- And, remember, go small. People are getting away from large parties to make room for small, intimate gatherings.
Festive mocktail sangria by Foodland Ontario
Welcome family and friends with a pitcher of this tasty sangria, featuring local fruit. Easy to make and perfect for any gathering.
Chilling time: four hours
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Serves: six to eight people
(Makes 6 1/2 cups/1.625 ml)
2 cups (500 ml) chopped Ontario apples
1 cup (250 ml) chopped Ontario pear
1 cup (250 ml) fresh or frozen Ontario cranberries, halved
1/4 cup (50 ml) Ontario honey (or to taste)
1 to 2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
3 cups (750 ml) chilled ginger ale
2 1/4 cups (550 ml) Ontario sweet apple cider
1 cup (250 ml) cranberry cocktail
Ice cubes
Instructions:
In large pitcher, stir together, apples, pear, cranberries and honey. Add cinnamon sticks, ginger ale, cider and cranberry cocktail. Cover and refrigerate for at least four hours. Serve over ice. Cheers.
Nutritional information:
Serving (When recipe serves eight):
Protein: 0 grams
Fat: 0 grams
Carbohydrate: 38 grams
Calories: 150
Fibre: 2 grams
Sodium: 15 mg
Cheesy onion dip pinwheels by Foodland Ontario
Nothing is more comforting when the cold weather hits than a bowl of onion soup. This recipe takes that classic flavour and turns it into a bite-sized appetizer to serve at your next holiday party.
Baking time: 14 minutes
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 14 minutes
Makes: 24
2 tbsp (25 ml) butter
1 Ontario leek, white part only, quartered and thinly sliced
1 Ontario onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup (125 ml) shredded Ontario mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup (50 ml) block-style cream cheese at room temperature
1/4 cup (50 ml) Ontario sour cream
1/2 tsp (2 ml) onion powder
1/4 tsp (1 ml) each salt and pepper
1 pkg (226 g) refrigerated crescent roll dough
Instructions:
In large skillet, melt 1 tbsp (15 ml) of the butter over medium heat. Stir in leek; cook, stirring, for four minutes or until softened. Set leek aside in medium bowl. In same skillet, melt remaining butter. Stir in onion; cook, stirring often, for seven to 10 minutes, until onion is deep brown and softened. Add onion to leek. Stir in mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, onion powder, salt and pepper until well combined.
On lightly floured surface, gently roll out dough into large rectangle, 14 x 9 inches (35 x 23 cm). Spread onion filling evenly over the entire surface of dough (if filling is hard to spread, microwave on high for 30 seconds); roll-up lengthwise to form a log.
Slice log into 1/2-inch (1 cm) rounds, place on parchment paper-lined baking sheet, spacing apart. Bake in 375 F (190 C) oven for 14 minutes or until lightly browned.
Tips: Filling can be made in advance and kept covered in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Baked pinwheels can be frozen in an airtight container for up to two months; thaw by microwaving on high for 30 seconds.
Nutritional information:
Pinwheel
Protein: 1 gram
Fat: 4 grams
Carbohydrate: 5 grams
Calories: 64
Fibre: 0 grams
Sodium: 120 mg
