And spoiler alert? There are things you can do today that will help you later. Read on for a professional’s tips on tasks to complete before hosting company during the holidays. From there, decide how you want food arranged and served. If you’re serving more than passed hors d’oeuvres, Fiocchi notes that there are plenty of meal options. “Buffet style, family style, or sit down?” Fiocchi suggests asking yourself. “Next, consider how you want your guests to flow through your home.” This will help determine if the meal will be entirely seated or not. “My mom always baked gingerbread men for her guests’ place settings with their names handwritten on them,” Fiocchi shares. “Embroidered linens also offer a personalized touch.” Then, the night before your event, Fiocchi says it’s officially time to finalize lighting and set the table. The show is about to begin! “Sometimes everyone arrives at the same time, so I like to prepare and assemble easy hors d’oeuvres—such as cheese boards and crudité—and refrigerate the night before,” she tells us. “It’s effortless to pull out when guests arrive.”
