CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Autumn and winter are both very sociable seasons; Christmas, and New Year’s Eve follow each other rapidly in a series ofsensational soirees! When we’re guests at these types of events, it can be easy to overlook the effort, time, and considerationnecessary to throw a successful party or gathering. Hosts, on the other hand, know all too well…

If you’re organising a party and feel a little nervous about guaranteeing every aspect a success, keep reading! Here’s our ultimate guide to stress-free hosting.

Plan as far in advance as possible

This might sound like an obvious tip, but you’d be surprised by how many hosts are guilty of putting important arrangements off and off and off until the event is right around the corner. Don’t make this mistake! To ensure a stressless, impressive party, get all your ducks lined up as soon as possible.

This piece of advice might be too little too late if your party is within the next couple of weeks or months but do what you can as soon as you can. You’ll thank yourself later.

Include thoughtful details in your decorations

Anyone can decorate a room for a party, but only a talented host knows how to incorporate thoughtful details within those decorations. Generally, your décor choices will depend on whether your party is for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, or New Year but the little touches you might want to add don’t necessarily need to follow a theme.

You could have quotes from your guests’ favourite movies taped to the walls or on the tables, flower mugs relevant to people’s best-loved blossoms, and cupcake toppers based on special memories or occasions. The details aren’t the details, the details are the décor!

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Just because you’re the host and the party venue is your house (or another space arranged by you) doesn’t mean that every single responsibility falls within your remit. If you’re struggling to get certain aspects in order, such as decorations, food, or activities, ask the people around you for support.

According to recent research, many people find that party planning is more stressful than work deadlines, being late, and school runs. While that doesn’t mean it isn’t rewarding at the same time, it does mean you shouldn’t be afraid to request help. Perhaps you know someone who runs a catering business, or a friend of a friend who works in a balloon shop? Just make sure you extend the invite to the person helping!

Goodie bags

Party guests love party favours, so consider pushing the boat out by organising for your guests to walk away with goodie bags. ƒhallIf the event is celebrating Christmas, the party bags could contain mini chocolates, a gingerbread man, wine, and a personal bauble. Be creative and think outside the box.

Cater for different dietary requirements

If there’s going to be food at your gathering, be mindful of everyone’s individual tastes, preferences, and dietary requirements. For example, will there be anyone there who’s committed to a vegetarian lifestyle? Seeing as there are currently 7.2 million people following a meat-free diet in the UK, this could be quite likely.

When you send out your invites, ask people if they have any specific food requests. You wouldn’t be the hostess with the mostest if the only food available contains meat and dairy products when a large portion of your guests are vegan, for example. Make sure there are options available for a variety of tastes.

Budget carefully

A good host always sets out to impress guests and give everyone a night to remember, but please don’t put yourself in a sticky financial situation just to do that! Organising a party is stressful enough without the added weight of money worries, so be mindful and spend within your means.

Whether your budget is £100 or £1,000, you’d be surprised at how much you can achieve with some careful consideration and planning. To establish your budget, decide the total cost you’re willing to spend before splitting that into categories, such as food and drink, entertainment, and venue.

Arrange group entertainment and games

Parties are fantastic for talking, dancing, eating, and drinking, but they can also be so much more than that. As an icebreaker, or a way to ensure that the night doesn’t fall stagnant, have some activities or games in your back pocket.

Again, what you do specifically could depend on the theme and occasion of your party, but some games offer fantastic fun no matter what time of year it is. For house party games, consider classics like Charades, Psych, and Cards Against Humanity. If your event is taking place in a public party venue, you could hire a magician, musician, a photobooth, or a comedian.

Don’t forget to enjoy yourself!

The run-up to the party can be stressful but follow our guide and it should be smooth sailing (well, mostly, at least). And, once everything is in place and the event arrives, try to relax and enjoy yourself – after all, if anyone deserves to unwind, it’s you.Being a host can be demanding, but also very rewarding. So,leave yourself open to the good parts too. Good luck!

A new nationwide study has revealed that despite half (50 percent) of Britons feeling under pressure to deliver Christmas lunch this festive season, as many as 28 percent claim they have it absolutely NAILED.

And when it comes to the best Christmas lunch hacks, according to those who consider themselves a seasoned pro, the number one tip is tidy as you cook (51 percent), to avoid a washing up nightmare.

While 46 percent of confident festive chefs suggest that remembering to use plenty of tin foil is the way to go, whether for wrapping up food for later or to cover the top of the turkey to keep it from drying out.

Also on the list of the tips for a top Christmas lunch include always chuffing your potatoes (shaking par boiled spuds in a colander to roughen the texture and increase surface area before roasting) (39 percent) – and make sure you’ve got plenty of Christmas crackers (37 percent).

The research, commissioned by Thermapen, found that 26 percent recommend using a meat thermometer.

To help create a succulent turkey, those surveyed recommended putting butter under the skin before cooking (25 percent).

Jason Webb of Thermapen, said: “Cooking Christmas lunch with all the trimmings is always a big undertaking – our research reveals just three in ten cooks are confident they know how to get it right.

“These findings show the key to the perfect Christmas meal lies in good planning and saving yourself time by doing as many jobs as possible in advance so you can focus most of your efforts on cooking the turkey well on the day. Our key recommendation on the big day, is to always use a meat thermometer to minimize stress and ensure you end up with tender, succulent meat for the entire family to enjoy.”

Other top tips for getting Christmas lunch perfect is to cook up extra pigs in blankets as inevitably people want more (36 percent).

Ensuring you have enough pots and pans before the big day (35 percent) and setting the table the night before, on Christmas Eve (30 percent) we also among the top hacks.

The best Christmas Day chefs also advise stocking up on cling film for storing away any leftovers (27 percent), making the gravy ahead of time (26 percent) and NEVER overcooking the sprouts (37 percent).

And don’t be afraid to tell everyone to leave the kitchen when you’re busy getting lunch ready – in fact, just enlist only ONE assistant to help you out (26 percent) try to get a good night’s sleep on Christmas Eve (23 percent), so you feel fresh and raring to go in the morning.

And it’s important that the cook gets a well-deserved break once lunch is over – 68 percent agree it’s only right they put their feet up while everyone else clears up afterwards.

And when it comes to making sure the experience of tucking into the lunch is enjoyable, talk of politics, religion or race should be avoided at all costs (53 percent).

Masterchef runner-up and Thermapen ambassador Mike Tomkins said: “When I’m in the kitchen, I aim to remove all the stress from my Christmas day lunch by following two essential rules; prepping in advance and cooking to temperature.

“We’ve all had too many dry turkeys over the years to keep putting up with it, and by following these two golden rules you can totally avoid a Christmas day disaster!

I always brine my turkey on Christmas eve and cook until my Thermapen is showing 67°c. I then remove it from the oven and allow the bird to rest, the temperature will continue to rise to 74°c and this guarantees you have the perfect Christmas turkey.”

The research of 2,000 Britons also reveals that 15 percent of chefs have had near cooking disasters on Christmas Day – but remained calm, sorted it out and no-one was any wiser.

And as 39 percent of Brits confess there’s nothing more disappointing than an underwhelming Christmas lunch, over a third (35 percent) admit they’ve previously packed their own snacks to secretly nibble on in case they don’t enjoy the food prepared by the chef for the day.

But perhaps this is no surprise considering that up to 20 percent of the nation have suffered from a bout of food poisoning during the festive season – and pointed the finger at the Christmas Day chef, admitting they think the lunch they prepared was to blame.

Meanwhile the jury is out on whether the traditional Christmas pudding is required or not – while three in ten see it as an essential part of the festivities, a quarter can’t stand the taste, while 45 percent will serve it with an alternative dessert to choose from too.

Hosts this year might want to think carefully about the Christmas Day seating plan, as over a fifth (22 percent) of the Britons polled admit they can’t STAND sitting next to a relative they dislike for lunch.

But you might be able to break the ice by ensuring you have a good soundtrack prepared for the day, with 30 percent saying it’s essential for lunch on 25th December.

And although 86 percent of the nation spend time together as a family after lunch, whether playing a board game or sitting in front of the TV, 15 percent admit they have to get away from it all, and wind up going for a solo walk by themselves or just retreating to their bedroom for the rest of the day.

The survey also revealed that up to 15 percent of cooks will be showing off their culinary skills this year by cooking their meat in a less traditional fashion, such as on the BBQ.

HOW TO NAIL CHRISTMAS LUNCH, ACCORDING TO BRITS WHO CONSIDER THEMSELVES AN EXPERT

1. Tidy as you go       51%
2. Tin foil is your best friend     46%
3. Chuff your potatoes      39%
4. Don’t forget the Christmas crackers    37%
5. Don’t overcook the sprouts     37%
6. Buy extra pigs in blankets as you can never have enough 36%
7. Have all the right pots and pans     35%
8. Lay the table the night before     30%
9. Don’t forget cling film for the leftovers   27%
10. Use a thermometer to ensure a perfectly cooked bird 26%
11. Make your gravy ahead of time     26%
12. Enlist one person to be your helper and throw everyone else out the kitchen 26%
13. Put butter under the skin of the turkey to stop it getting dry    25%
14. Make a note of your exact timings    25%
15. Get a good night’s sleep on Christmas Eve   23%
16. Plan everything with military precision   21%
17. Don’t forget the cranberry sauce    20%
18. Ensure you have enough soft drinks    19%
19. Wake up before 7AM      18%
20. Make sure your knives are sharpened    18%

For more information, please visit www.thermapen.co.uk.

As the nights draw in, our thoughts turn to holiday season and Christmas is getting nearer and near, bring on the festive feels with these delicious Christmas cocktails, perfect for showing off your mixology skills and getting merry with your loved ones.

Christmas Negroni

The Negroni keeps making waves in the cocktail scene (yep, we’re looking at you, House of the Dragon fans), and we predict that the Christmas Negroni will be the next big thing this festive season. To make one, you’ll use the original Negroni recipe but add some flair by making your own Christmas-infused gin and using winter spice garnishes.

Ingredients (per person)

Method

How to make festive gin

To make your infused gin, grab your favourite gin and pour out a drink for yourself and a friend to make some space in the bottle to add the spices. Next, toast 2 cinnamon sticks, 2 staranise pods, 5 cloves, a teaspoon of black peppercorns, and 3 fresh bay leaves in a dry pan until fragrant. Transfer into a pestle and mortar and crush roughly. Add the spices to your ¾ bottle of gin, seal, and give it a good shake. Leave overnight – or for up to 3 days in a dark space – to infuse. Strain into a pitcher using a cheesecloth or coffee filter to remove the spice bits. Pour the gin back into the bottle, and voila!

Eggnog Martini

A hands-down number one hit and family favourite at Christmas is eggnog. But what happens if you skip the rum, add a vanilla vodka and amaretto twist, shake it up and strain it into a glass? The Eggnog Martini, that’s what, and it’s epic! As far as best vodka Christmas cocktails go, this one is packed with sweet and indulgent holiday cheer. You absolutely have to try it.  

Ingredients (per person)

1.5 Oz Vanilla Vodka

0.5 Oz Amaretto

2 Oz Eggnog

Ice

Chocolate shavings, simple syrup, and cinnamon sugar to garnish

Method

Hot Toddy

Sip on a Hot Toddy cocktail for a drink to soothe your soul after a long (long) day of family and Christmas activity chaos. It’s the ideal drink to enjoy slowly for that fireplace feeling. Also, it will be just what you need if you feel yourself morphing into the Grinch about to steal Christmas gifts from sugared-up children. It’s in our book of easy winter cocktails, and you can customise it with your favourite alcohol and flavourings.  

Ingredients (per person)

2 Oz Bourbon Whiskey

0.5 Oz Fresh lemon juice

2 Teaspoons brown sugar

5 Cloves

Sliced lemon

Boiling water  

Method

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Nothing warms the cockles quite like this intensely rich, spiced tequila hot chocolate. Mexicans have been enjoying hot chocolates like this in the snowy mountains for thousands of years, dating back to the Aztecs. Perfect to make in a batch for a movie night in with friends or at festive season gatherings.

Ingredients (per person)

Method

Brandy Alexander

The glitzy Brandy Alexander hails from the 1920s Great Gatsby era and became the coolest cocktail of the 1970s when Beatles fans discovered it was John Lennon’s favourite drink. Glamorous, romantic and oh-so-sweet, it brings a delicious mix of brandy and chocolate liqueur to the party. This boozy dessert cocktail is ideal for those who always crave an after-dinner sweet.

Ingredients (per person)

Method

For more cocktail inspiration please visit: ​​https://www.themixer.com/en-uk/

Ahead of the Christmas period, new research has revealed the most disappointing presents that have left Brits feeling insulted.

Out-of-date chocolates (29 percent) and toilet plungers (28 percent) top the list of the most embarrassing and downright weird Christmas gifts of all time, along with weed killer (26 percent) and even a wig (24 percent).

The ‘Bad Gifts Haul of Fame’ research, commissioned by Wish, one of the world’s largest mobile ecommerce platforms, also revealed a tin of baked beans (24 percent), mop and bucket (23 percent), spot cream (22 percent) and hoover bags (22 percent) among some of the worst gifts Brits have been handed.

In fact, 44 percent have been completely lost for words after opening a present because they hated it so much, with over a fifth (21 percent) ending up having a row with the person who gave them the gift.

The study also revealed that 37 percent of the nation has at least one family member who always gives them the worst presents, while a quarter (23 percent) said their in-laws are the biggest offenders.

And 18 percent confess they can’t stand the gifts that their other half buys for them every year.

But it needn’t be all doom and gloom. Brits wanting to get their gifting right next time need look no further than online retailer, Wish, which is known for its vast range of affordable products, from the weird and wacky to the everyday essentials.

Commenting on the research, Tarun Jain, Chief Product Officer & Chief Customer Officer of Wish, said: “It’s quite astounding what people will gift their loved ones. There is clearly a large disconnect between what people want from their loved ones to what they actually receive. At Wish, we pride ourselves on being able to offer something for everyone – the range is enormous so you’d be hard pushed not to find something friends and family will be genuinely happy to receive.”

Typically, after unwrapping a present, 73 percent will manage to force a smile and a polite “thank you”, while over a third of the 2,000 Brits polled (34 percent) said that after years of receiving presents they hate, they can now pretend to like unwanted gifts. But 24 percent will simply end up regifting it to somebody else.

And while 14 percent will secretly try to get a refund or swap it for something else, almost one in ten Brits (eight percent) go completely quiet as they’re so disappointed or offended by what they’ve been gifted.

Three in ten (29 percent) even confess they’ve had a dramatic moment when unwrapping a present they dislike, either by storming off, sulking or even turning on the waterworks by bursting into tears.

Figures also show that each festive season, on average we’ll receive at least three unwanted gifts, with one in two Britons (47 percent) admitting they’d rather not get anything at all than have to unwrap something they hate on Christmas Day.

THE WORST CHRISTMAS GIFTS BRITS HAVE EVER RECEIVED

1. Out of date chocolates                                                                    29%
2. A half dead plant                                                                                29%
3. A toilet plunger                                                                                     28%
4. Weight loss pills                                                                                    26%
5. Weed killer                                                                                             26%
6. A wig                                                                                                        24%
7. A can of baked beans                                                                           24%
8. A mop and bucket                                                                                23%
9. Spot cream                                                                                          22%
10. Hair removal cream                                                                           22%
11. Hoover bags                                                                                           22%
12. Shoe polish                                                                                             20%
13. A jar of pickles                                                                                        20%
14. Horrible smelling perfume or aftershave                                            20%
15. An item of clothing you’ve seen the person wear                          19%
16. An ironing board cover                                                                        18%