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Whether it’s a full roast and all the trimmings or a cocktail party for all your friends, hosting a Christmas party doesn’t need to be stressful. Our guide for hassle-free entertaining gives you the shortcuts, tips and tricks to easily impress your guests during the busy festive season. These little extra touches for drinks, canapés and quick desserts make all the difference with minimal effort – so you still get to enjoy the party!
Start the party right with a festive garnish to make your gin and tonics more special. Using just two ingredients – sprigs of rosemary and fresh cranberries – these smart decorations are easy to prepare and will make sure your drinks stand out as you top up each round.
Serving platters of canapés might sound a daunting task, but they don’t need to be fiddly or complicated to be effective. These crostini use just one bagel to make a whole tray of canapés for a really cheap and easy way to serve a party crowd. Topped with crème fraiche and smoked salmon and served with a squeeze of lemon, they are the ultimate stylish snack.
Shop-bought mince pies are the perfect time-saving cheat, but you can still add your own finishing touch for a little bit of extra festive magic. Whip up this simple lemon curd cream as a tangy treat for guests to dollop generously on their dessert.
Truly impress your guests by giving everybody a gift to take home. Get creative with this fun shortcut – pick up a box of mini muffins from your supermarket to turn into faux Christmas puddings using different colours of royal icing. Edible presents are always popular and this simple trick makes an adorable gift for friends and family of all ages.
It wouldn’t be Christmas without eating too much cheese, and a generous cheeseboard is the best end to any festive meal. If you are not sure where to start with a cheeseboard, try these suggestions for how to match delicious flavour combinations. Whether you’re serving Stilton, goats cheese or a strong cheddar, pair with festive flavours for a decadent Christmas.
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