It can be quite a shock to realize that your festive plans have fallen through. It’s quite another to realize your house was the backup, and you agreed to this but forgot about it. Of course, you might not really mind allowing more of your extended family members to dinner, after all you still may love and respect their presence.
But then again, no one really wants to learn they have to host one of the most important events of the year with less than a week to do it. If your household is suddenly the go-to spot for Christmas, and you have about four to ten new people coming, well, we can feel that tension on this side of the screen too.
Don’t worry, this approach is more than possible. It just takes some lighting-quick and firm planning. Let’s consider what that might look like:
Remove Or Add Furniture To Storage
Sometimes, it’s just a massive space consideration you’re worried about because hosting a larger group than usual often means reassessing the space you have. If you look around your home and think practically, a few questions will come to mind. For instance, do you have chairs and tables that are taking up unnecessary space? Maybe there’s a decorative chair in the corner or a coffee table that just clutters the room. Maybe you have a couple of items in self storage facilities you can bring out. Perhaps your neighbour will be happy to let you borrow some. Either way, make sure capacity is there.
Ask For Monetary Contributions & Food
The idea of asking for help can sometimes feel awkward and for obvious reasons, but hosting an unexpected event like this is a team effort. There’s no harm in reaching out to family members and suggesting a potluck-style dinner or asking if they can contribute to the food budget. People do this during Thanksgiving, so if they’re dropping a huge Christmas on your lap, ask them to help.
Pick Up A Toaster Oven Or Additional Kitchen Accessories
Oven space is suddenly at a premium during this time of year. A toaster oven can free up space in your main oven by handling things like rolls or side dishes, so bringing one of those out or even buying one can help. Slow cookers are great for keeping food warm without taking up stove space, and even an extra cutting board can help streamline. We’d also recommend an air fryer for those smaller nibbles, they make a huge difference, just be sure you’re happy with the timings.
Rejig Accommodation Plans & Spare Rooms
If you can’t let people stay over, let them know. They can book a hotel or a bed and breakfast nearby, as that’s only fair to you. From there it’s wise to talk to other local relatives about splitting the hosting duties. Maybe they can offer a bed or two for overnight stays, giving everyone a little more breathing room.
With this advice, we hope an emergency Christmas doesn’t have to feel so dizzying, and you’ll no doubt be the hero of the family for providing everyone.
