So did you get nervous

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

This is the first time I get to host a holiday and I am very nervous about it and wondering if everyone else felt (sp) this way the first time they did it. To make it worse two things are going to happen 1 being I have to run up stairs to take my medication 2 we are making the guest leave at 7 because DH has to work the next day so that is like two strikes against me but the dinner starts at 3 so three to seven is that too short?

 

[kimblebee]

I'm sure things will turn out great. I was nervous the first time I hosted my family for my Moms birthday dinner. I did things at my own pace and accepted help if someone offered. I'm sure no one will mind if you excuse yourself to do your meds. People will understand. One piece of advice I would share is don't expect everything to be perfect. It doesn't matter if something doesn't go as planned. People are there for the company and aren't going to remember if you forgot an ingredient in the dessert. Relax and enjoy the day.

 

[BearcatsFan]

This is the first time I get to host a holiday and I am very nervous about it and wondering if everyone else felt (sp) this way the first time they did it. To make it worse two things are going to happen 1 being I have to run up stairs to take my medication 2 we are making the guest leave at 7 because DH has to work the next day so that is like two strikes against me but the dinner starts at 3 so three to seven is that too short?

Everyone gets nervous the first time they host.

Just remember - everyone will likely be talking and enjoying themselves too much to notice you've run upstairs to take your medication. And four hours is plenty of time. Your guests will understand that your husband has to work the next day.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I'm sure things will turn out great. I was nervous the first time I hosted my family for my Moms birthday dinner. I did things at my own pace and accepted help if someone offered. I'm sure no one will mind if you excuse yourself to do your meds. People will understand. One piece of advice I would share is don't expect everything to be perfect. It doesn't matter if something doesn't go as planned. People are there for the company and aren't going to remember if you forgot an ingredient in the dessert. Relax and enjoy the day.

Thank you

 

[ilovepcot]

I was horribly nervous the first time I hosted holiday dinner. In fact, terrified! But think of it this way...everybody has to have a first time and we all survive it. Bet you have a great time.

 

[java]

Are you cooking? I like to write everything down and tape it inside a cabinet, I just write everything that I want to serve. In the past I would always forget something, like rolls.

And I am older and wiser now. I don't sweat the small stuff. Just relax and have fun. People are coming to spend time with you.

I also like to set the table the night before. It helps relax me.

Have fun!

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I was horribly nervous the first time I hosted holiday dinner. In fact, terrified! But think of it this way...everybody has to have a first time and we all survive it. Bet you have a great time.

True

Are you cooking? I like to write everything down and tape it inside a cabinet, I just write everything that I want to serve. In the past I would always forget something, like rolls.

And I am older and wiser now. I don't sweat the small stuff. Just relax and have fun. People are coming to spend time with you.

I also like to set the table the night before. It helps relax me.

Have fun!

No thank God I just have to make sure the house is perfect.

 

[onelilspark]

It's my first time hosting too!


I'm a little nervous-I have both sets of parents coming. But I'm just so happy that we all get a chance to be together this year, that I've been focusing on that. My FIL is a trained chef, so I'm most nervous about cooking for him

Anyway, you're not alone!

 

[low-key]

never hosted anything, I like it that way

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

You'll both do great!!!!

Hoping you let everyone know things are wrapped up at 7pm.

If you are having a sit down dinner set the table and cover it with a clean sheet.
Have all your serving pieces out, platters ready to go.

Do little things early like extra toilet paper out so your guests can see it, fill the liquid soaps at your sinks. Think about high quality (disposable) towels by the sink so people can just throw them out.

If you are having a bar set it up and just add the ice prior to arrivals.
If your serving wine think about glass charms to cut down on glass wear and people forgetting where they placed their cocktail.

If you have someone coming to your home for the 1st time make your home stand out with luminaries, balloons.....something that makes it easy for them to notice your home and you don't have to worry.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

You'll both do great!!!!

Hoping you let everyone know things are wrapped up at 7pm.

If you are having a sit down dinner set the table and cover it with a clean sheet.
Have all your serving pieces out, platters ready to go.

Do little things early like extra toilet paper out so your guests can see it, fill the liquid soaps at your sinks. Think about high quality (disposable) towels by the sink so people can just throw them out.

If you are having a bar set it up and just add the ice prior to arrivals.
If your serving wine think about glass charms to cut down on glass wear and people forgetting where they placed their cocktail.

If you have someone coming to your home for the 1st time make your home stand out with luminaries, balloons.....something that makes it easy for them to notice your home and you don't have to worry.

I like your ideas

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I am positive you will be fine. Just excuse yourself to take your medications, all hosts leave for a few seconds either to fix the meal, use the ladies/mens room, check on how things are going. It will not even be noticed.

As for the time, I would appreciate you ending it after 4 hours. That really is a long time. The holidays are stressful on everyone and you may find they even leave sooner.

Try to relax and enjoy. Please remember no matter how hard you try it won't be perfect but that is okay. I really is okay. WE all go through it and the memories are what you want to take away from the day, not the little things that didn't work/happen.

Happy Holidays.

 

[Lynne M]

No thank God I just have to make sure the house is perfect.

No, you don't.

Really, and truly, nobody's house is perfect. None of your guests keep their house perfectly. As long as your place is clean and reasonably tidy, you're going to be fine. Your guests are going to be too busy chatting and enjoying the food and each other to be looking at your house.

And anyone who is a guest in someone else's home shouldn't be nitpicking that the house isn't perfect. That would be very, very rude, and it says more about them and their lack of manners, than it does about your house.

Just remember that it's a celebration, not a performance. You're there to celebrate Christmas together and enjoy each other's company, that's the whole point of getting together. Relax and enjoy, and don't stress out about everything being perfect, because it can't and won't be.

Oh, and don't worry about having to run upstairs to take your medication. There's no rule that says a hostess has to spend every moment with the guests.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

never hosted anything, I like it that way

nothing?

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

No, you don't.

Really, and truly, nobody's house is perfect. None of your guests keep their house perfectly. As long as your place is clean and reasonably tidy, you're going to be fine. Your guests are going to be too busy chatting and enjoying the food and each other to be looking at your house.

And anyone who is a guest in someone else's home shouldn't be nitpicking that the house isn't perfect. That would be very, very rude, and it says more about them and their lack of manners, than it does about your house.

Just remember that it's a celebration, not a performance. You're there to celebrate Christmas together and enjoy each other's company, that's the whole point of getting together. Relax and enjoy, and don't stress out about everything being perfect, because it can't and won't be.

Oh, and don't worry about having to run upstairs to take your medication. There's no rule that says a hostess has to spend every moment with the guests.

nothing?

True

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

Would it be rude to make upstairs off limits I don't want to be liable if one of them falls down the stairs.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

This is my year hosting my inlaws and I'm really not nervous. Most of that is because they are good, decent people who don't care about things being perfect. I'd be willing to bet that your family is actually the same way. They are set to come in this afternoon and have asked to take my husband and me out to dinner to celebrate our anniversary and my birthday. They arranged for my husband's siblings to watch our daughter so we could have a good time and not be worried about entertaining her. Tomorrow is going to mostly be about grazing all day. I have made cherry bonbons, caramel pecan turtle cookies, chocolate chip peppermint cookies, cut out cookies, Texas turtles, and peppermint bark. I'm also going to make sausage balls and miniature crescent dogs. We have chips and salsa and I am going to make queso while my husband is in charge of guacamole. For supper, we are cooking up a brisket with Texas rice, baked beans, tortillas, and cheddar cheese. Then, on Christmas, we will have ham, green beans, mashed potatoes, carrots, crescents, and both chocolate toffee and snickers pie. Luckily, I really love to cook and bake. That said, if I told my in-laws that I was going to boil some hot dogs for dinner, they'd say great and ask me if they could bring the relish. I cleaned up the house, but they wouldn't care if I didn't bother dusting, vacuuming, and mopping. I really think, if you think about it, your family is the same way. They are all about seeing you and your husband. The food, decorations, and cleanliness of the house are completely unimportant. Let the pressure off of you and just enjoy the holiday and the fun time with family.

 

[IheartMickey]

Would it be rude to make upstairs off limits I don't want to be liable if one of them falls down the stairs.

I'm sorry but that's funny.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I'm sorry but that's funny.

I checked my grammar and spelling so I am trying to see the hummer in it

 

[Lynne M]

Would it be rude to make upstairs off limits I don't want to be liable if one of them falls down the stairs.

You're worrying way, way, way too much.

Just tidy up the house and enjoy the day.