It was 32 degrees this morning, and all I can think about is summer. The season ended just a few months ago and yet it seems so far out of reach now; we have a long way to go before we get there again. Thankfully we did have a rather warm fall and we took advantage of that great grilling weather whenever possible. Some folks closer to the equator are lucky enough to still be enjoying warm weather and barbecue parties.
If you are one of the lucky ones, Glad is perfect for the before, during and after a BBQ party. Grilling may be a bit out of reach for us for some time, but we do a lot of entertaining over the holidays and Glad will be here to help clean up the mess. And there will be a mess.
For Thanksgiving, we’ll be hosting Kevin’s family which grows every year. He’s one of six, and now there are wives, husbands, girlfriends and kids. Holidays are always crazy and messy but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Since I’m used to hosting large gatherings, I thought I’d offer some tips on how I make everything go smoothly when you have a lot of guests coming:
1) Make sides and desserts ahead of time. It’s cold here, so we don’t have to worry about refrigerator space.
2) Put out appetizers in the living room (or as far away from the kitchen as possible). Nothing is more hectic than having everyone in the kitchen when you’re trying to get around and prepare food.
3) Set up a buffet line. It’s so much easier to let everyone serve themselves. It’s also easier for me to refill whatever is low.
4) Use paper plates. I know it’s informal, but with 20+ guests at times, it has made my life so much easier. Would you rather be doing dishes or enjoy your guests’ company?
5) Set out large trash and recycling cans. Line your cans with Glad bags so that the mess can stay off of your counters and tabletops.
Paper plates are a must have for a party! After standing in the kitchen preparing all of the food, I definitely don’t want to stand in the kitchen doing a bunch of dishes afterwards.
I’d love to use paper plates. No one else would love it, esp. not my visiting MIL, but I’d love it. :)
Paper products are a necessity. Who wants to do a bunch of dishes after a party?!? Not me!
Thanks for sharing great tips! I prefer disposable plates so I don’t have to wash them later and there are so many beautiful designs so I don’t feel using paper plates instead of real ones.
I do agree about having as less people in your kitchen as possible. My kitchen isn’t that big so I usually put them out from the kitchen.
Love this! Holidays aren’t meant to be stressed over!
Ha in my house the rule is if you going to be in the kitchen you are signed up for one of my many projects that I have going on at the moment in the kitchen.
These are all really great ideas. I love to have Glad products in the house!
Yes! I agree with all, and love the idea of leaving appetizers out of the kitchen. I hate having all those butts in the kitchen when I am trying to put the finishing touches on dinner!
Stress free is the only way to go. Minimizing trash is so good to do!