Christmas Entertaining Mega Guide

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1. Start with a Plan

The key to successful Christmas entertaining is preparation. Think through your guest list, menu, and activities ahead of time. Create a checklist to keep track of what you need to buy, prep, and cook. Consider the following ...

Guest List: Know how many people you're hosting to ensure you have enough food, drinks, and seating.

Menu: Plan a menu that includes appetizers, main dishes, side dishes, desserts, and drinks.

Timeline: Break down when to shop, prep, and cook each dish so you're not scrambling last minute.

2. Consider Your Kitchen Appliances

One of the best ways to reduce stress during Christmas entertaining is by using the right kitchen appliances to streamline your cooking and serving process. Here's how you can put them to good use:

Slow Cooker or Crockpot

This handy appliance is ideal for cooking dishes that need to simmer slowly, like stews, soups, or even mulled wine. You can prep your ingredients in advance and let the slow cooker do the heavy lifting while you focus on other tasks.

Pro Tip: Use your slow cooker to make an easy holiday favourite like pulled pork sliders, or keep your mashed potatoes warm until serving time.

Best Slow Cookers

Russell Hobbs 7L Matte Black Slow Cooker

Philips All-In-One Cooker

Tefal Home Chef Smart Multicooker

Crock Pot 4.7L Hinged Slow Cooker

Food Processor

A food processor is ideal for chopping, slicing, and dicing ingredients in bulk. It can also be used to make homemade dips, spreads, or sauces like hummus, salsa, or cranberry sauce in minutes.

Pro Tip: Use a food processor to finely chop vegetables for stuffing or make an easy holiday dip to serve with crackers and veggies.

Best Food Processors

KitchenAid Go Cordless 5 Cup Food Chopper Matte Black

Kenwood Easy Chop 500ml Chopper

Sunbeam Multi Processor Plus Food Processor Black

Kenwood Multipro Express Food Processor

Stand Mixer

When it comes to Christmas baking, a stand mixer is your best friend. From whipping up cookie dough and cake batter to kneading dough for fresh bread or rolls, a stand mixer saves you time and energy.

Pro Tip: Make a batch of holiday cookies in advance with your stand mixer, and freeze them to bake right before your guests arrive for a fresh, delicious treat.

Best Stand Mixers

Kenwood Titanium Chef Baker XL White

KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer Porcelain

Sunbeam Mix Master Combo Mixer Pro

Breville The Bakery Chef Hub Stand Mixer

Air Fryer

An air fryer is great for making quick appetizers like crispy Brussels sprouts, roasted nuts, or bite-sized hors d'oeuvres. It's also fantastic for reheating leftovers or quickly crisping up bread or side dishes without using the oven.

Pro Tip: Make air-fried chicken wings, mini meatballs, or crispy roasted potatoes as easy, crowd-pleasing appetizers.

Best Air Fryers

Ninja Foodi Max XXXL Dual Zone 9.5L Air Fryer

Tefal Easy Fry Classic Air Fryer

Russell Hobbs 8 Litre Satisfry Extra Large Air Fryer

Blender

For Christmas drinks—whether cocktails or mocktails—having a good blender on hand is essential. Blend frozen fruit with ice for a refreshing holiday punch, or whip up creamy eggnog, smoothies, or hot chocolate for the kids.

Pro Tip: Use a blender to create a signature holiday cocktail, like a frozen cranberry margarita or a frothy spiced latte.

Best Blenders

Nutribullet Ultra 1200 Blender

Breville The Kinetix Twist Blender

Sunbeam Ice Breaker Blender

KitchenAid Pistachio Blender

Christmas Recipes

Want some inspiration for something to cook this Christmas? Whether it's Christmas lunch or dinner, it would be nothing without the comforting classics we love to eat year after year. Here are some great recipes, perfect for the festive season — some classic through and through and some with a slightly modern twist.

• Fruit Mince Pies

• Sticky Chicken Bites

• Christmas Ham with Mustard Fruits

• Cherry Floral Water

• Crackling Pork Roast

• Tim Tam Pavlova

Check out easy canape recipes you can make in your air fryer here.

Check out more delicious Christmas Lunch ideas here. 

3. Prep Ahead to Stay Relaxed

To make Christmas Day as stress-free as possible, prepare as much as you can in advance. Here’s what you can do:

Appetizers: Make dips, spreads, and finger foods a day or two before your event. Set out cheeses, crackers, and fresh veggies right before guests arrive.

Side Dishes: Dishes like casseroles, stuffing, and mashed potatoes can be made a day ahead and reheated in the oven or slow cooker.

Desserts: Bake pies, cakes, and cookies in advance. You can even make your pie crusts a week early and store them in the freezer until you're ready to bake.

Drinks: Pre-batch your cocktails or punch and keep them in the fridge, so you just have to pour when guests arrive.

4. Keep It Simple

While it’s tempting to go all out, remember that your guests are there to spend time with you and your loved ones. Choose a manageable menu, and remember the goal is to have fun and make lasting memories, not to spend your whole day in the kitchen.

5. Clean Up with Ease

The clean-up process can be daunting, but if you have a dishwasher, take full advantage of it. Load up as you go to prevent a mountain of dishes at the end of the night. Also, consider using disposable plates, cups, and napkins for a more casual affair, or use a robot vacuum to quickly tidy up after the party.

Pro Tip: Enlist family members or close friends to all help with post-dinner clean-up so you won’t be stuck doing everything alone.

Best Cleaning Tools

Haier Freestanding Dishwasher

eufy Clean Robovac L60 SES

Roborock QRevo MaxV Robotic Vacuum

LG QuadWash Dishwasher Matte Black

Christmas entertaining doesn’t have to be stressful. With thoughtful planning and the right kitchen appliances, you can create a warm, memorable celebration that leaves everyone feeling merry and bright. The Good Guys can help you simplify the process and prep ahead, which means enjoying more time with your guests. Pop in-store or online to shop for your Christmas entertaining essentials. Here's to a joyous, stress-free holiday season and a Christmas gathering to remember!