We continue our “Hosting for the Holidays” series with a complete, yet simple, guide to in-home holiday entertaining. Andrea Aretakis, Sales and Marketing Manager at Morton’s in Troy, shares her tips, ideas and no-fuss solutions!
Hosting at home for the holidays can always be challenging, but I try to make it fun and festive so everyone is comfortable and enjoying the occasion!
I always make my menu before I decide to host, then I post it by the phone! This is a great method, so when your guests call to RSVP and ask if they can bring anything, your list is in front of you as a reminder. I usually ask my guests to bring a dozen of their favorite cookie, along with a copy of the recipe to share with everyone, and a bottle of their favorite sparking wine, champagne or sparkling fruit juice. (I have a couple of guests who are the exception…my sisters Kristin makes her Four Layer Delight and Ellen makes the Jell-O Fluff.)
Having a limited menu and sticking to the plan helps streamline any stress. Making a pot of soup is always warm, inviting, easy to prepare…and everyone is always lifting the lid when they walk into the kitchen to see what’s cooking! We also serve the whole Beef Tenderloin, and I ask my local Butcher to trim the tenderloin so I don’t have to fuss with it. (I simply use Kosher Sea Salt, cracked black pepper, dried basil and chopped garlic. Then I mix the ingredients together, brush the tenderloin with olive oil, and coat the tenderloin with the mix. I layer the seasoning on thick.) When my brother Ned arrives, he becomes our “BBQ Guy” (everyone has one), and he’ll sear the tenderloin on the grill, put it in the oven for 15- 17 minutes and then rest it for a few minutes before slicing.
Here’s a look at a menu that I recommend:
Appetizers
Shrimp Cocktail ( I order the Colossal Shrimp Cocktail from Morton’s and pick it up at the restaurant. It’s a terrific appetizer, a ”Colossal” conversation piece and no fuss for me!)
Feta Cups
Warm Artichoke Dip with Pita Bread
Vegetable Crudites and Dip
Dinner
Mixed Field Green Salad with Pomegranate and Sunflower Seeds
Manhattan Clam Chowder
Basil and Pepper Encrusted Beef Tenderloin
Whole Grain Cracker Assortment
Rolls and Butter
Cherry Jell-O Fluff (a guest brings this)
Dessert
Four Layer Delight (a guest brings this)
Assorted Cookies (one dozen of each guest’s favorite cookie)
Beverages
Small Bottles of Soda
Sparkling Cider
Champagne or Sparkling Wine (all guests bring a bottle)
Water Pitcher with Fresh Lemon
Imported Beers
While the food and beverages are usually what guests think about first, you have to also consider the dinner table! I recommend getting out the China and setting your table a few days before the party. I use fresh garland in the center of the table, pine cones from the backyard sprayed with gold glitter paint, a few gold and red ornaments tied together and placed on the garland and a large gold bow in the center.
I also put a box of Godiva Chocolates at each place setting for my guests to take home, and the packaging of Godiva’s boxes adds to the table’s décor. I tie a special holiday tag on the ribbon of the box with their name and for “best wishes” in the coming year!
On the night of your party and before guests arrive, light some candles, such as apple cinnamon or Sugar Cookie, Have a small basket available for the cookie recipes, turn on the holiday music, fill the ice bucket and have the hors d’oeuvres out on the table, self-serve style, so you can enjoy the company of your friends and family!
After my party and the holidays are over, I like to thank my guests by sending a special note…along with copies of all the other guests’ cookie recipes.
I love hosting my friends and family anytime of the year, but the holidays are even more special! I hope my tips will help make your holiday hosting more manageable, less stressful and lots of fun!
Happy Hosting!
Andrea Aretakis
Sales and Marketing Manager
Morton’s The Steakhouse – Troy
What are some of your holiday traditions when hosting friends and family? What makes your get-together stand apart during a season filled with holiday parties?