Trudi Nelson has shared her top tips for stress-free hosting on Christmas Day. Photo / Composite / Supplied, Getty Images
Trudi Nelson has shared her top tips for stress-free hosting on Christmas Day. Photo / Composite / Supplied, Getty Images
Christmas can be stressful, expensive, and sometimes, you might wish it wasn’t a holiday at all. Thankfully, broadcaster and certified domestic goddess Trudi Nelson is here to help. She gave the Herald’s Lana Andelane her top tips for nailing Christmas Day - as much as one can, at least.
Ah, Christmas - the most wonderful (and expensive) time of the year.
But, with a little planning and preparation, the silly season doesn’t have to be tear-your-hair-out stressful.
In fact, think of the three Ss: slow cooker, store-bought, and “smile”, says broadcaster, newsreader and orchardist Trudi “The Foodie” Nelson.
Nelson is no novice when it comes to the art of entertaining. The food writer recently hosted Woolworths Christmas Table: the purpose of the exercise was to prove a festive feast need not cost an arm and a leg, and that tasty, nutritious meals can be made with affordable ingredients and a bit of thrifty thinking.
Over the years, Nelson says she has refined her Christmas routine into a well-oiled regimen that keeps costs low and spirits high. Ahead of the festivities, she has shared her eight steps to silly-season success with the Herald - and they are far more straightforward than you might think.
Tip 1: Make a plan
The Scouts’ motto is “be prepared” for a reason. A little forward-thinking can pay dividends - and could even see a little extra cash in your bank account at the end of the month.
Preparing your menu and buying your groceries in advance mean you have more time to ensure you’re getting the best deal: a bit of price-comparison never goes awry.
“Decide what you’re making ahead of time and create a shopping list to avoid a last-minute Christmas Eve shopping trip,” Nelson says.
“Buying your groceries online and getting them delivered can be a great way of making sure you don’t miss anything and avoid busy stores.”
With a little planning and preparation, the silly season doesn’t have to be tear-your-hair-out stressful. Photo / Getty Images
Tip 2: Pre-prepare dishes ahead of time
While you don’t have to roast a whole spatchcock in advance, simple components can be easily pre-prepared or assembled ahead of the Big Day.
Think slicing and dicing your veggies, parboiling potatoes, or prepping your sauces: gravy, cranberry sauce, and salad dressings can be made a few days ahead and refrigerated. Casseroles and certain appetizers can also be stored in the fridge for up to two days beforehand.
“Plus, marinating meat and parboiling potatoes for roasting the day before all makes Christmas Day itself easier. Baking is another great way to get the jump on,” Nelson says.
Tip 3: Thrifty thinking
Not everyone has cash to splash on luxury tableware or curating your dream, Pinterest-inspired tablescape. The good news is plenty of one-of-a-kind, vintage crockery can be picked up for pennies at your local op-shops. It might not be a table out of Architectural Digest, but it’s fun, personalised, and most importantly, cost-effective.
“Buy those 50 cent green glasses and red-stemmed candle holders. Dress your table with goodwill goodness and then let everyone take their favourite piece home with them - they will always think of you and Christmas when they use it year after year,” Nelson suggests.
Tip 4: Make the most of your napkins
Festive napkins are a Christmas tablescape staple for many homes, but why stop at serviettes? These practical cloths can be easily repurposed into fun and thrifty plate decorations, bows, or “elf hats” - all it takes is a bit of folding.
Another simple way to add some silly-season cheer is by curating a Christmassy cheeseboard, Nelson says.
“My personal favourite is laying all the ingredients out in the shape of a tree by cutting the cheese into cubes, using the dried apricots as tinsel and the cherry tomatoes as baubles. This is a great way to add some wow factor to your pre-meal nibbles.”
Trudi Nelson is helping take the fuss out of festive feasting. Photo / Supplied
Tip 5: Don’t forget about your slow cooker
Anyone who has cooked Christmas dinner will know that between the oven and stovetop, configuring various pots and pans can feel like a never-ending game of Tetris. This is why a slow-cooker, an often overlooked piece of kitchenware, could be your not-so-secret weapon.
“Slow cookers can be a fantastic way to keep sides like mashed potatoes, veggies and gravy warm without wasting valuable oven space,” Nelson suggests.
Tip 6: Get the kids helping
Ignore the chorus of “Mum, I don’t want to” and put the kids to work in the kitchen. Small tasks such as whipping the cream and chopping the cheeseboard can easily add up, but with all hands on deck, Christmas dinner will be child’s play. Santa has Little Helpers for a reason.
“Giving youngsters a job for Christmas morning is a great way of getting them involved and making things easier. Not only will it keep them off their screens, but you’ll also be surprised by how happy they are to help with ‘big person jobs’.”
Even the best laid plans sometimes go awry - and that’s okay. Photo / Getty Images
Tip 7: Embrace store-bought
This is not MasterChef and there’s absolutely no reason to make everything from scratch. There is no shame around store-bought here, so make the most of what’s on offer. Supermarkets’ own-brand products are typically more affordable: look for pre-made meringues for the Christmas pav, mince pies for afternoon tea, or even a store-bought trifle for the ultimate easy dessert.
“Pick up one and voila - an easy dessert that is perfect for when everyone is too full of ham to even think about cooking.”
Look, even the best-laid plans sometimes go awry - and that’s okay. Christmas can be stressful, expensive, and you might wish it wasn’t a holiday at all. But your reaction to the chaos will ultimately set the tone for the day: would you rather be crying in a corner about overcooked chicken, or laughing it off with your loved ones?
“As you get dressed in that green or red outfit or festive sparkly hat, look at yourself in the mirror, and smile,” Nelson says.
“Say, ‘You got this’ and walk into your festivities with a beaming smile and a great attitude. This works wonders.”
Lana Andelane is an entertainment and lifestyle journalist. She was previously lifestyle editor at Newshub, where she began her career as a news producer in 2019. She enjoys writing about music, pop culture, fashion and beauty.
