3 Food Stations To Keep Every Guest Happy This Christmas
WORDS: CHYKA KEEBAUGH
PHOTOS: LISA ATKINSON
As we get closer to Christmas Day, I’m going to let you in on a little entertaining secret that will save you time and energy…
FOOD STATIONS! Yep, it's as simple as that. Tables, sideboards, shelves, bars, trays - anything that can hold food or drinks on the big day needs to come out! They are your handy helper, your extra pair of hands and something that you can set up days before the event saving you time and energy on the day.
I am all about getting as much preparation done before the event as possible, that way nothing is left to chance or the last minute and you get actually to enjoy your day rather than fussing about. This Christmas I have created 3 stations that will act as my handy helper - one for the kids, one for the cocktails and one that is purely decorative but looks oh so classy! I love turning underutilised areas of my home into spaces for fun, and these three are just that.
The cocktail station
I am a big fan of receiving a cocktail upon arrival and love that this simple act can really set the tone and mood for your day. A simple set up consisting of festive nibbles like gingerbread, mince pies and Christmas Cake will take the edge of any hungry guests as well as serve them their cocktail! This table can be set up days before, with your cocktail and snack being added moment before your guests arrive. Want a simple refreshing cocktail to serve? How about a Limoncello Spritz! Simple, effective and oh so delicious. Loving this look? Recreate it with Libby Selene glass sectional server set, Libby Selene 2pc glass cake dome set, Gingerbread cookies by Michelle’s Cookies.
The kids’ dessert station
I'm sure everyone has been delegated to the kids' table at one point in their life but has your kids table been this inviting? Filled to the brim with festive desserts of every kind, the kids will love having their own space to enjoy and devour. It is also your chance to go a little crazy - including novelty items like these gorgeous Christmas mugs, patterned plates and cookie jars. This table is actually in our mudroom, space we walk through multiple times a day, so setting it up for all to enjoy has been so much fun. This is also a great way to separate desserts because I am yet to meet a kid who likes brandy laden pudding! Loving this look? Recreate it with these gorgeous Christmas mugs and cookie jars by Lulu & Honey at Harris Scarfe, Festive friends chip bowl and Festive friends oblong platter. Plum Pudding cake by The Butchers Daughters cakes and Gingerbread cookies by Michelle’s Cookies.
The FIRESIDE station
An afternoon snooze or a few hours relaxing by the fire is part and parcel of a big Christmas Day. It's time to digest, relax and chat - and what better place then a perfectly styled, quiet space in your home. This is also space where we will spend Christmas Eve together, sipping hot chocolates and treating ourselves to (more) gingerbread. I love that the dark and cosy mood of this room is very different from the mood of the dining room, it's inviting, warm and yet still matching with the theme. Areas like this can be set up days before your event, leaving you only a small amount of preparation on the day. Loving this look? Recreate it with this gorgeous Jardin dinner set and milk and sugar servers available at Harris Scarfe.