12 No-Fail Holiday Entertaining Tips from the ‘Property Brothers’

It’s never too early to get yourself organized, especially when it comes to hosting Christmas day. “Make yourself a cup of hot cocoa and get planning!” the brothers advise. “It’s never too early-with shopping, decorating and countless parties to attend, Christmas will creep up on you before you know it.”

Just because you’re hosting doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself. After all, you want to be able to enjoy spending time with loved ones, do you not? “If you’re hosting a large group, consider getting it catered and hiring a bartender-this will take the load off of you,” the Scotts suggest.

Unable to hire someone? “Then it’s all about prepping ahead of time. Set up a beautiful festive bar cart and a buffet style dinner-it’s fun and frees up your time so you can enjoy the company rather than worrying about serving.”

“Remember, don’t fret if anything goes unplanned; it’s all about spending time with loved ones,” the brothers say. Keep in mind that a dry turkey never ruined anyone’s holidays… a grumpy Gus host, however? Well that’s a different story. Take everything in stride and remember that when all else fails, you can always order a pizza.

The brothers note that keeners begin planning their big shindig right after Halloween, but when it comes to inviting guests you’ll want to give them at least two weeks notice so they have time to make arrangements. And while we’re on the subject of notice, be sure to hire any help long before that. “If you’re catering or hiring a bartender, give them plenty of notice to avoid disappointment; they’ll be packed with holiday orders.”

“All cool parties have a theme,” the brothers reveal. “Include details on the invitation so guests can dress appropriately… ugly Christmas sweater, anyone?”

The last thing you want is to be stuck in the kitchen when guests are arriving. That means breaking out your project management skills and putting together a work-back schedule so that you’re ready to receive and mingle by the time the first guest arrives.

“Whenever possible, make time-consuming dishes the day before. Dough needs to rise, cheesecake needs to chill and sangria needs to marinate, so you can check these off your list before the day of your party,” they say. “Remember to allow yourself time for last minute tidying up and prettying up for the party! If you just want to wear your apron, that’s cool too.”

There’s no shame in asking family members or friends to bring a dish. It takes the pressure off and it lets everyone contribute to the table, which means a variety of flavours and a whole lot of love. Just make sure you’ve got an even distribution of dishes, because as the brothers note you don’t want to end up with four potato salads… unless your guests really love potato salad.

“At our house, Mom does the turkey and stuffing and Linda always has the desserts covered. I take care of whipping up the mashed potatoes and drinks and Jonathan makes his famous Caesar salad,” Drew says. “Anytime you have a dish that requires simple assembly, get kids involved-they love helping out, and snacking along the way.”

There’s no rule of thumb when it comes to decorating your place for the shindig, just go with “whatever your heart desires.” However the brothers do note that having a certain style or colour palette “will ensure your home looks well put-together.”

They suggest starting with an inspiration, such as a centerpiece for the dining room table or clustering different levels of décor pieces on your mantel. “For instant elegance and luxe, use monochromatic ornaments and pieces with touches of white, champagne and gold accents,” the advise.

If you’re looking to do a modern theme, the brothers say to “keep it sleek and chic, but warm it up with various textures.” They recommend ornaments made of white or neutral coloured ceramics, and lots of mirrored surfaces. “Balance this out with soft textures like large knit pillows, a heavy throw and a furry rug.”

If you’re feeling a more classic look, invoke the timeless movie for inspiration. “Have fun with all the traditional elements that remind you of childhood: lots of red and green, golden or colored lights, natural objects and textures like pinecones and logs,” they say. “Bonus points if you have a leg lamp!”

If you’ve got a budget, remember that “a little creativity can go a long way” and that crafting time is a great way to spend some quality time with kids or crafty adult friends.

The brothers suggest starting with the entrance, and an impressive DIY wreath for the front door. “It’s an easy way to add Christmas spirit to your home and to everyone who visits,” they say.

Other tips? Fill a glass vase with metallic ornaments, switch out regular pillows for holiday patterns, drape cozy blankets on a reading chair, and remember that a string of lights can go a long way in warming up the space. Don’t forget the playlist, either; the brothers recommend some Michael Buble and Bing Crosby, of course.

No matter where you are, there are some traditions that will always warm your heart. Suss out what’s important to your family and guests and try to implement that for a truly memorable time.

“No matter where we are before the holidays, we make sure that we all spend Christmas as a family,” the brothers say. “Our get-togethers always involve caroling, delicious food, and game nights (where our parents give a ridiculously admirable effort in a round of charades and we fail at not laughing at them!).”

Now that’s a Christmas well celebrated.