FROM THE EXPERTS AT THE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING INSTITUTE
Set up a self-serve
cocktail bar.
Forget stocking a bar cart with end-
less supplies for everyone’s favorite
drinks. Decide on one or two festive
picks to prep ahead (like spiked apple
cider, Moscow mules or Cranberry 75
punch, left), then let guests serve
themselves from punch bowls.
Choose no-cook
appetizers.
Put together beautiful cheese and
charcuterie boards instead of fussing
over hot hors d’oeuvres. They are deli-
cious and can be assembled in minutes
on pretty wooden, slate or marble
cutting boards, says our Kitchen Appli-
ances Lab. Include an assortment of
cured meats, cheeses, olives, crackers,
grapes, spiced nuts and spreads.
Follow these tips, and you’ll actually
be able to enjoy your own bash
HOSTING TRICKS
Mix a “quick
chill” station.
Make a tub of salted ice water (one
cup of salt per gallon of H 2 O) to chill
bottles of wine and other drinks. It will
also free up fridge space — just keep
a few bar cloths by the tub for wiping
drippy bottles.
Direct food-
and-drink traffic.
If you’re serving things buffet-style,
keep drinks and food on opposite
ends of the room to prevent gridlock.
Stock up on
to-go boxes.
Get new containers that don’t cost
a ton (like those from Lab favorite
Glad) so you can send everyone home
with yummy leftovers without raiding
your personal supply.
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Time-Saving
GH
KITCHEN
APPLIANCES
LABDrink recipe: goodhousekeeping
.com/cranberry75punchGET PAID
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TURN CARDS INTO CONTACT PHOTOS. Before you
toss personalized holiday cards, take pictures of them. Use
these to update (or set) everyone’s contact info in your
phone so you’ll have their most recent family photos.
PARTY CLEANUP
Pick up broken glass
with sliced bread.
Hear a glass shatter in the
other room mid-party? Don’t
panic. Sweep up what you
can, then gently press a slice
of bread onto the floor to
grab teeny-tiny shards your
vacuum or broom might miss.
Polish silver
in seconds.
Shine silver fast with GH Seal star
Weiman Silver Wipes ($7). Pre-
moistened and ready to go, the
wipes are neat and easy to use,
and they dissolve tarnish fast. In
a time crunch? Spruce up just the
pieces you know you’ll need.
Keep your cool next time you entertain with these
must-know tips from our Cleaning Lab experts
Remove price
stickers like magic.
Tackle annoying price tags on
frames, mirrors and knickknacks:
Spray each sticker with laundry
prewash spray, rub a little to
dissolve the glue, then scrape it
off with your fingernail or an old
credit card. No residue!
Mess-Busting
GH
CLEANING
LABIl
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s:
B
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B
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d
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.