Your Last Minute Christmas Celebration Checklist
Christmas Checklist #1: Catering – Food Planning and Sourcing Ingredients
You might have your menu all locked in, and all of your Christmas catering ideas ready to go, but have you planned properly for your ingredients and exactly how and when everything will magically come together? Do you know where to store and when to buy everything? We use this simple list as a last minute Christmas checklist to consider and cross-reference our Christmas catering.Planning Your Christmas Catering
- meat and seafood – do you need additional cold storage (an extra esky or two and/or some ice)
- condiments for the Christmas table
- salads
- snacks – pre-dinner nibbles and post-dinner snacks, lollies and confectionery
- desserts
- fruit – a great family-friendly snack to have available at Christmas time
- beverages (don’t forget ingredients for your Christmas punch too) – where and how do you plan to keep these cold? You could borrow some eskies or a mini bar fridge if one of your guests has that at the ready
- milk for tea, coffee and Boxing Day breakfast perhaps
Christmas Checklist #2: Serveware and Catering Essentials
Ok, so it’s all well and good to have your menu planned and ingredients bought and stored, but have you thought about how you are going to present and serve it all up? And how your guests will be able to eat and enjoy your wonderful creations? Remember to include a last minute Christmas checklist for your Christmas serveware. Before the day, double-check that you have enough:- platters and bowls for food displays and serving
- plates and cutlery for guests (remember to consider entrée, main, dessert and snacks if applicable)
- tongs, serving spoons and spatulas (which are especially beneficial for serving slices)
- glassware or plastic cups and mugs
- a water jug with fresh water available or bottled water on ice
- napkins and table linen
- extra paper towel to wipe up any spills or mishaps
- do you need to keep food warm? Have you considered a mini bain-marie for the table (you can pick these up fairly inexpensively at Kmart and they are great for all sorts of gatherings)
- don’t forget some festive Christmas bon bons for the table too
- table place settings – do you need places cards or are you happy for guests to choose where they sit
- bins and extra rubbish bags
Christmas Checklist #3: Keeping Your Guests Merry and Comfortable
Not only do they come to gather; but they come to eat, drink and be merry on Christmas Day! So, ensure that your last minute Christmas checklist covers all aspects for keeping your guests comfortable too. Here are a few things to think about.- seating – do you have enough chairs for dining and sitting in other areas? Do you need to borrow some or ask guests to bring chairs with them?
- table space – unless your catering is stand up-friendly, do you have space for everyone to sit and eat their meals? Will you need extra trestle tables for guests to sit at as well as a place to set some of the catering down?
- weather - what is the forecast for Christmas day at your place? Do you have provisions for cooling and/or heating to keep guests comfortable? Could you do with an extra pedestal fan or heater? If it’s likely to rain, do you have enough undercover area available to keep everyone dry?
- set the mood - plan and arrange a music playlist to keep up the ambience for guests – think about different types of music for different parts of the day. Bluetooth speakers are great as they can be transported as necessary
- gifts – where are guests to place their gifts on arrival? Under the tree or on a designated table? Is it obvious?
- staying for a while - for any guests that might be staying the night (or a few days!), do you have enough fresh bed linen and pillows available? Towels for showers if needed too.