Is hosting a holiday potluck…
- Intimidating
- Stressful
- Enjoyable
- All of the above
No matter which answer you chose, we know holiday hosting is no easy task. A bit of bad luck and lack of planning could leave you with an empty bar or a table of ten sides and no mains. Avoid the stressful moments and mishaps with these simple potluck tips and tricks.
Send Invitations
And no, we don’t mean a non-committal Facebook event that gets 100 “maybes.” It can be as easy as sending an email to everyone with the “who, what, when, where.” If you want something a little more formal, consider an electronic invitation like Evite or Paperless Post. All you’ll need to do is upload everyone’s emails and use a template to create an invitation. We like using an electronic invite since you can easily track who’s opened it and who’s RSVP’d.
Plan the Menu
You’re not responsible for cooking the entire menu, but as host, you’re in charge of making sure there aren’t ten plates of brownies on the table. Avoid duplicate items or too many of one dish with a simple Google sheet. We love this sign-up sheet from Kitchn that you can use a starting point.
Don’t forget to consider guests’ dietary restrictions and make sure there’s something on the menu for everyone.
Set Up
In the week leading up to the event, make sure to stock the fridge with ice and the bathrooms and kitchen with toilet paper and paper towels. Plan to clean your house the day before and day of, making sure to leave plenty of open counter tops in the kitchen.
Too many RSVPs, not enough chairs? Make a trip to your local IKEA to buy a folding table and chair set. This set is perfect since it won’t take a lot of room in storage. To dress it up, just throw a holiday tablecloth on it.
Clear a table for the potluck items to go. You can either have them be kept in the kitchen and then brought to the table for dinner time or have a buffet line set up using a kitchen island or extra table. Consider hiring a Tasker if you don’t have enough time to get everything done.
Set The Bar
If you don’t have a formal bar, you can still create an area for drinks. You’ll want a large ice chest, wine and beer openers, as well as cups and cocktail napkins. Think about how you will want to serve water — either in bottles or refillable pitchers of waters.
Set a silent reminder on your phone to check the bar every 30-45 minutes. Leave extra cups and beverages nearby so restocking the bar takes only a few minutes.
Say No to Dirty Dishes
You’re going to want to spend as much time with everyone as possible at the potluck — not be stuck in the kitchen doing dishes. Instead, buy recyclable plates, cutlery, and glasses. To make sure you can really avoid the party stress, hire a Tasker to help clear the table, wash dishes, pack leftovers, and clean after the event.
Focus on What Matters
Remember not to get caught up on little things on the big day. Not everything will go right and that’s okay! You’re hosting a potluck so you can spend time with the people you care about it.
Need an extra set of hands for your party? Hire a Tasker today to help cross off your holiday “to-do” list.
