Tips To Relaxed Entertaining

Throwing a party comes totally naturally and spontaneously to some people; to others it can seem like a real ordeal, and turn into a genuinely stressful experience. Anxieties about not being able to match the standards of those whose hospitality you are returning, or being unable to meet the expectations you feel others have of you, are often the cause of becoming stressed when entertaining at home.

Obviously, if you entertain only occasionally you are more likely to experience the kind of stressful feelings that can spoil your own party for you, but even the most experienced hosts may find it useful to bear a few pointers in mind to help keep this kind of stress to a minimum.

• As with all forms of stress management, get your priorities right from the start: the point about a party is for everybody to enjoy each other’s company - and that includes the host or hostess.

• Forget about keeping up with the Joneses. Whatever type of party you have in mind, keep it simple - for example, avoid elaborate menus that involve lengthy periods in the kitchen away from your guests.

• Help yourself to stay relaxed by preparing as much as possible in advance: make maximum use of the freezer, and if you are catering for large numbers and run out of room, borrow some temporary freezer space from friends.

• Don't make the mistake of trying out a new recipe that looks a bit complicated for a party - it's much better to stick to tried and tested favorites, and experiment with new recipes when you're on your own.

• Make sure if you have invited people you don't know so well to your party that you have some old friends present too, on whom you can rely for help if necessary.

• Think about sharing a party with friends, a sure way of reducing pressure.

• Parties where guests each bring a dish can be tremendous fun, and cut right down on the stress levels.

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