Preparing for holiday dinner guests

THE DAY BEFORE AN EVENT AT YOUR HOUSE (if having guests for dinner)

• Clean entire house
• start on the main floor, then the basement, then the top floor
• clear out all crafts, toys, extra stuff from the entire main floor have bare counters & table in the dining room & kitchen
• scrub all the bathrooms
• vacuum the entire house
• dust the main floor
• clear out old stuff in fridge
• clean all dishes, empty the dish washer
• take out trash
• clean the office
• mop the kitchen floor
• take all coats/shoes out of the entry way
• clear off the desk in the kitchen
  
• Meal:
• plan your meal
• Do you have a main dish, something the kids will like, salad, fruit, bread, dessert, drink, napkins?
• make a grocery list
• look & see what ingredients you already have
• Do you need to buy ice, butter, sauce (ketchup, soy, dressing, ...), salt, pepper?
• buy all the groceries today
• put groceries away
• if time, make dessert today, wash dishes from dessert, put away
  
  
• Additional tasks today:
• Call the family/guests who are coming over to confirm, and tell what time & give directions
• write down how many people are coming, and their names
• figure out seating plan
• make sure you have enough chairs, bring them to the tables
• buy or make ice
• get out serving spoons
• get out serving bowls (think through each dish, what will you serve it in?)
• do you have a water pitcher for water?
• put salt & pepper on dinner table
• get out dishes, glasses, silverware, napkins do you have enough for everyone? are they all clean? set table that way you know that you have enough
• figure out what clothes everyone in your family will be wearing are they all clean? pick out cute clothes that represent your family well, clean them, lay out for tomorrow (but don't let anyone put them on until an hour before the party)
• what activity will the kids do to keep entertained? do you want to set up a kids movie in the basement? set it out. or get toys gathered for kids to play with.
  

DAY OF THE EVENT:

• finish what hasn't been done from above list
• make shower all family members are showered in the morning
• pick up the entire house again
• wash any dishes
• make beds
• make sure your cars are not in the driveway, and that there are good spots for guests to park
• if there is snow, shovel the driveway & walkway
• make sure the porch light is working and on
• make sure everyone in the family is home early that day
  
• food prep ... start early that day of the event:
• make all cold items (salads)
• make dessert (unless you already made yesterday)
• make items that bake in the oven
• marinate meat
• make rest of dinner
• clean up every single dish as you go
• run the dishwasher
• empty the dishwater
• move food to serving dishes
• review with kids how to act say hello & make eye contact with adults, shake hands, be nice to kids, take kids guests to play downstairs, ...
  
• 1.5 HOURS BEFORE
• if your spouse or kids are not home from work /school yet, call & tell them to hurry home
• have all family members go brush their hair, wash their face, wash hands, brush teeth, and put on clean/cute clothes
• put on aprons
• slice bread
• put butter on dish
• take out the kitchen trash
• have your own kids play in their bedrooms or watch a movie
• make sure there are no dirty dishes anywhere
• wipe down the stove
• make sure all food is done, ready to serve
• put ice in the glasses
• make sure table is set
• run around the main floor & pick up everything again
• use a Clorox wipe on the toilets, sinks, counters, faucets
  
• 15 MINUTES BEFORE:
• start setting out food, keep it covered
• is the food hot?
• put a serving spoon with each food item
• check everyone's faces - clean?
• put on lipstick
• smile
• say a prayer
• breath
• unlock the front door
• sit down & relax for a few minutes!