While there is a lot that I love about the holidays, there are some parts of the Christmas season that I’m not as crazy about and one of those has to be holiday entertaining. I love the actual entertaining event, but since I don’t enjoy cleaning at all, preparing my house for a crowd is not something that I look forward to. Fortunately, this year I had help, thanks to some great tips from Colin Cowie, lifestyle expert and celebrity party planner and essential holiday products from Proctor and Gamble!
- Start with a holiday colour theme that you love and tie it into everything from invitations to decorations.
- Good lighting is a must. Use dimmers and Febreze candles to add ambiance. The new Cranberries and Frost products are perfect for the holidays and also make great stocking stuffers or thank you gifts.
- Let guests help themselves. Set up cutlery and napkins before guests arrive and consider having food stations set up instead of a formal sit down dinner.
- Always be ready for guests. Store a Swiffer WetJet with a Swiffer WetJet Extra Power Pad in the hall closet, you can quickly clean up before guests pull into the driveway and your floors will shine.
- Hide the mess. Preload the dishwasher with Cascade All-in-1 ActionPacs and load dishes as you use them. For the dishes you need to hand wash use a fast acting dish soap like Dawn Original. Dawn will give you an overnight soak in 5 minutes so you aren’t stuck in the kitchen cleaning up all night.
Proctor and Gamble want to help your home look its best for holiday entertaining too so the company is very generously offering one lucky Mommy Kat and Kids reader their own holiday entertaining prize pack! To enter to win, just leave a blog comment with a holiday entertaining tip.
While cleaning my house to prepare for holiday entertaining is something I’m never really going to enjoy, the products from P&G definitely made it easier. And the Cranberries and Frost Febreze products were especially helpful at adding a festive look and smell to my household. With Proctor and Gamble, getting your home holiday-ready is a quick and easy job!
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sherry k says
always have a few basics in the fridge for surprise guests,
Maria Cantu says
Use fresheners to keep house smelling good all the time.
Bailey Dexter says
always have gift card in different amount wrapped & tagged with a pen under the tree for unexpected guests
Kelly Bouma says
make as much of the food ahead of time as you can – that way you enjoy your guests
Laird N Crystal E says
Always have extra baking and small gifts on hand for those unexpected guests that may arrive
Sharon McIntyre says
Make your dinners easier by preparing as much of them as you can beforehand and freezing!
Deborah Cunningham Martin says
Always have Frebreeze on hand for a quick freshening up
Lori Bazan says
If you overcook the turkey then over pour the wine!
lynn clayton says
nice i always have a neutral gift unhand for the unexpected people
stacy says
Definitely to clean and use Those amazing Smelling Candles, You know, when you walk in and you just stop in your tracks with the scent(s) Not only do they smell Nice but they are so great for a special event in this case Christmas or even New Years! I am a HUGE fan of Anything that comes out New and even the ones I have tried and enjoyed =) P&G Rocks!!! Thanks for such a Awesome Giveaway! and Merry Christmas to Everyone – From my Family to yours
Stacy
kellie Nehring says
always have extra gifts put away just in case someone shows up with one for you
rebecca day says
smell good candles burning and lots of food
Carey Hurst says
The best thing I have found to do , especially with having a new baby in the house is to make everything ahead.. Baking treats as you can (and have the time) and freezing them is the perfect way to have wonderful treats for company or anyone who visits for holiday dinner.
Nicole Crump says
would love this package as my belated christmas gift
Leah Ryan says
I always have an extra gift or two just in case someone shows up;)
Erin Brayshaw says
Always have extra bottle of wine/extra gift and Christmas card. for the unexpected guest. And before your guests arrive thow some cookies in the oven make everyone smile when they come in the door…
Susan Manseau says
Thanks so much for the great giveaway ! Happy Holidays !
isabel plante says
thank you for the contest! happy holidays!
Peggy Rydzewski says
keep food simple and include people in the making.
Christina says
Suggest a potluck and get everyone to bring something different!
Carol Denny says
Christmas eve dinner is buffet style. So much less work.
Kelly says
keep your smile on! If your having people over, you never know if they are down or excited, keeping your smile on helps others keep theirs too!
Kris Labotne says
Spike the punch! haha:) Merry Christmas!
Tara says
Great giveaway!
Michelle Chow says
Holiday entertaining tip is to create a list of all the items I will need. For example, a guest list, a christmas card list, a gift list, a holiday dinner list (groceries list, decorations list, etc.)
Monette L says
always have a few extra bottles of wine for unexpected company 😉
Christy Martin says
I am all about the candles. The Febreze holiday candles are excellent and if only lit for a few minutes. Who needs to bake cookies, when you can light these?!
Donna Lineman says
Take a crockpot and fill 2/3 to the top with water. Throw in sliced apples, oranges, a handful of whole cloves, 3 or 4 Cinnamon Sticks, a few shakes of nutmeg and ginger then turn it on Low and let the smells waft through your house. it is a very warm and inviting scent during the holiday season.
wendy hutton says
always have an extra gift incase somene brings a friend with them
Liza says
That stuff would make my house smell wonderful! Merry Christmas:)
Lisa Marie Anctil says
Always have some extra presents on hand just in case!
Francine says
set your table ahead of time, so that you’re not scrambling for serving utensils at the last minute
@torlonias says
Prepare a few dishes that can be made ahead of time and frozen to lighten your load.
MrDisco says
always buy/make more ice than you think you need
stacey dempsey says
My best tip is to keep it simple, I dont think the holiday is a good time to experiment lol so just go with tried and true recipes, things you know how to cook and everyone likes
Debbie W says
I like to bake and prepare ahead of time.
SueSueper Sue says
Always have a spare box of European Cookies or Box of Chocolates to pull out in case unexpected guests come over.
@lizzysdarcy says
Have mocktails for those who do not drink or aren’t inclined to drink.
mandy says
i always have extra christmas cards on hand for those last minute friends or family that might stop in during the holidays
neha gupta says
after the party let everyone pop the balloons
Anne Taylor says
have alot of food available and have a punch so people can serve themselves!
Janice Lynds says
don’t be afraid to delegate. If someone asks “can I help” by all means let them. This is your Christmas too!
409cope says
I try to cook as much food ahead of time as I can to allow more time with guests.
jeff cook says
I have always extra trays of cookies made for last minute presents
Vesper says
always make sure you have enough wine in the fridge
Gail Squires says
Leading up to christmas, I have a to do list. breaking it down by week, day, leading right up to the end, and who is going to do what chores….. Nothing gets “forgotten” and seems to take the stress out of the christmas rush, of wrapping, baking, cleaning, etc etc….. and always put 1 day aside for a “date” day with the hubby
Kayla Levere says
Boil apples & cinnamon sticks, leaves the house with a beautiful Holiday smell
Erin Annis says
this all looks amazing! who doesnt love p and g!
Shannon Munns says
always have water!
lynda law says
always have 1 or 2 “gifts” for surprise quests, a $10.00 timmies card or a bottle of wine.