Your Holiday Hosting Strategy

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Playing hostess over the holidays? Rather than be intimidated, remember: this is your chance to gather your favourite people around you in a self-determined atmosphere. The holidays are your chance to show off you baking skills, take a break from your work/computer/smartphone, and dedicate time to your favourite people. Whether you’re going for twinkly lights and board games, or a sophisticated dinner for ten, our holiday hostessing tips will help you strategize a lovely evening for all.

 

snacks: Cheese is all you need. Our guest editor, Beaucoup Bakery‘s peerless Jackie Ellis, compiled a crash course on the anatomy of a perfect cheese plate; discover her entertaining secrets here (gorgeous photo alert).

 

drinks: Our easy crowd pleaser is hot mulled wine; this recipe comes bartender approved by Bambudda’s Tarquin Melnyk and its citrus-spice scent (and generous helping of cognac) sets an unbeatable holiday mood. Prefer buttered rum or eggnog? We’ve got the DL on making them, too, right here.

 

meals: Cooking at home? Try one of our Vancouver-blogger tested recipes like honey-garlic roasted sprouts, wild rice, butternut and goat cheese stuffing, rich roasted eggplant and soft chocolate cakes with earl grey cream. See the recipes we stand by here. 

 

sweets: Placing bowls of treats out after dinner lets guests graze sweet things at will (a nice option after a big meal). Opt for tangerines, shortbread cookies, and some of what we determined to be the highest-calibre local holiday chocolates available this season, our delicious picks here.

 

Enter #holidaymode: While it may be tempting to live-Tweet your awesome party, the holidays are more about human connection than the Wi-Fi connection. TELUS is encouraging Canadians to put their devices down while spending time with family, friends and loved ones this holiday season. Take this opportunity to stash your gadgets someplace safe and enjoy face-to-face status updates from the people in your life. 

soundtrack: Our alternative to mall-vibing Christmas music is this not-too-holiday holiday playlist; it transitions from low-key grooves to a sexy dance party flint, featuring alternative wintery classics and new tunes by the likes of Sylvan Esso and Yelle, too.

 

—Adrienne Matei

 

 

TELUS is passionate about bringing Canadians together over the holidays. It connects millions of people every day, but understands that nothing can replace the human connection.

This holiday season TELUS is asking Canadians to enter Holiday Mode; a seasonal practice to unplug and embrace the face-to-face moments with those who mean the most – their family and friends.

Unplug for the holidays. #HolidayMode