Holiday Hosting Tips, Tricks, and Recipes

It's holiday party season, and we're kicking it off with entertaining ideas to make it easy and fun. First up, the most important tip is to plan ahead by doing everything you can in advance. Set up all the tables and chairs and any chafing dishes in advance. Another thing you can do before the big event is to make a special holiday playlist, which is a super festive touch. Next, set up a bar, and make a signature holiday cocktail. It's festive and fun. And it eliminates having to run around making drinks all night. Guests can help themselves. Just make sure to cut up all the fruit and garnishes the night before so you can take it out of the fridge, and you're all set. For the food, go buffet style so guests can help themselves. You can cater the food or make it weeks in advance and freeze it so that all you have to do is warm it and pop it in the chafing dishes. It's always a good idea to put holiday nuts on the tables and bar area. Planters nuts are always a crowd-pleaser, and this year they've come out with two-limited edition flavors for the holidays. Planters Kettle Cooked Butter Cinnamon Pecans is so indulgent with just a touch of sweetness and a freshly roasted crunch. For chocolate lovers, Planters Cocoa Almonds have the toasty taste of almonds with intense dark chocolate, which is rich and delicious. There's also something for everyone with their holiday classics; Planters Brittle Nut Medley , Planters Holiday Nut Crunch , Planters Winter Spiced Mix , and Planters Holiday Trio Pack . The Planters brand website has a ton of great holiday ideas and recipes. See a few of our favorites below and more at planters.com/holiday . Planters is also giving you a chance to take your holiday party next year to the next level with a visit from Mr. Peanut, along with his 27-foot-long Nutmobile, plus $10,000 to help plan your party. Just buy one of these limited-edition goodies while supplies last and upload your receipt to planters.com/holiday by December 31. You can follow along on all the fun @mrpeanut on social channels too.