Now that the holidays are just around the corner, many people will be getting their homes ready to house friends and relatives that are visiting for the festivities.
But, as wonderful as it can be to see your loved ones and invite them into your home, it can be a stressful experience as well. You have to make sure your house is clean and tidy, that your guests will be entertained and feel at home. On top of all this, as winter rolls on you also have to make sure that your guests won’t be shivering away for the entirety of their visit.
So you have one less thing to worry about, we at C. W. Schultz and Son have gathered some tips for how to keep your guests feeling warm during the holidays.
Light a fire
There’s something warm and cosy about fires that makes them feel completely appropriate during the festive period. So, if you have guests coming over, throw a few logs on your fire, and you will have them feeling warm in no time.
If you aren’t lucky enough to have a real fire, then artificial fireplaces or liberal use of candles can also create a warm inviting atmosphere for your guests.
When entertaining your guests outside, consider lighting a chiminea or a small outdoor fire, as not only will this keep your guests toasty, it will also create a focal point for your guests to gather round, keeping the party warm and sociable.
Serve hot drinks
There are few things that can warm you up faster when you are feeling chilly than knocking back a hot drink. So, when entertaining guests over the holidays, especially if you are entertaining guests outside, make sure you offer a variety of hot drinks to keep your guests from feeling the chill.
Luckily, there are a wide variety of hot drinks that match a winter party perfectly, from Glühwein – a German mulled wine rich with spices – to Irish coffee, there’s plenty of options to choose from.
Of course, you don’t just have to serve alcoholic beverages. After all, there are few things that can warm you up on a hot day as quickly as a cup of hot chocolate – marshmallows optional.
Food that warms the heart
If you are having guests round for dinner, make sure they keep warm by serving them hearty, strong food that will be sure to warm them up from the inside out. Consider serving dishes like chowder, hearty soups or stews to not only keep your guests warm but also to really celebrate the spirit of winter. You could also kick up the spiciness of any dishes you are going to serve, as this is another great way to warm your blood.
Also, instead of going for cold deserts like ice cream or cheesecake, serve something hot and sweet, like apple pie, fresh from the oven.
Wrap up warm
Lastly, to make your whole house seem warm and inviting, cover everything in blankets, throws, flannels, and thick rugs as this makes your home seem warm and inviting to anyone who comes to visit.