Despite 40 per cent of people saying they feel like they miss out on all the fun when they have to host, 60 per cent say they feel pressure to make sure everything is perfect
It’s the most wonderful of the year, from festive drinks to Christmas nibbles with family, friends and neighbours.
It’s time for celebration, and the nation opens its doors to welcome one and all in, but playing host isn’t all that much fun, especially if you miss out on all the action. Rather than joy, most Brits (65 per cent) feel stressed while hosting at Christmas, according to new research from Dr Oetker Ristorante Grande, and it’s perhaps because over nine in 10 people (92 per cent) spend up to six hours cooking while getting ready for their guests.
Time locked away in the kitchen and playing a puzzle with multiple dishes in the oven leads to 40 per cent of hosts feeling like they’re missing out on the celebrations, and nearly one in three say having to host takes the fun out of Christmas parties. Bah-humbug.
Limited oven space is a huge culprit for causing kitchen chaos with many creating a cooking conveyor belt to manage various dishes in a single oven, while others struggle to get timings right.
To help everyone enjoy their celebrations without the stress, family and lifestyle influencer Emily Norris has teamed up with Dr Oetker Ristorante Grande to launch the Holiday Hosting Hacks with Ristorante Grande – a collection of tips designed to make festive hosting easier.
“We’ve all felt the stress of trying to be the perfect host during the holidays, and it can take away from the joy of the season,” Emily said.
“That’s why I’ve partnered with Dr Oetker Ristorante to share the five hosting hacks with Ristorante Grande. These pizzas are perfect for sharing, giving your guests a delicious meal while allowing you to enjoy more festive fun with loved ones.”
Emily Norris’ top five grande holiday hosting hacks
1. When preparing for festive gatherings oven space is limited, meaning hosts have to juggle different cooking times, plus shuffle food around in the oven in a desperate bid to fit everything in. With Ristorante Grande and its large rectangular size it fills the oven shelf maximising space and simplifying cooking. Its large size means it feeds a crowd and it comes in two flavours: Pepperoni and Margherita Formaggi, which everyone is sure to love
2. Pair hot dishes with cold, no-fuss sides for an easy yet impressive spread. Fresh from the oven Ristorante Grande pizzas work great alongside a festive candy cane themed Caprese salad board, marinated olives, and cheese bites. Offering cold sides will save oven space, require minimal prep, and perfectly complement the Italian flavours of the pizza, while allowing you to serve guests altogether
3. Elevate your party with a self-pour drinks station, offering everything guests would need for Italian-inspired cocktails, mocktails, and soft beverages that they can prepare without the need for assistance. This setup means visitors can help themselves throughout the occasion, making hosting less stressful as you don’t have to break off the preparations and can stay immersed in the celebrations without interruptions
4. Maximise your kitchen’s functionality, even if space is limited, by creating dedicated zones for prepping, cooking, and serving. Position your prep stations thoughtfully, near the sink is ideal for the easy clean-up of utensils. Set up your cooking area close to the oven for convenience and designate a serving station around the dining table or kitchen island to avoid a gathering of people in the busy zones
5. Ditch formal dining and opt for a casual buffet setup. Arrange your dishes, like Ristorante Grande pizzas, Caprese salad boards, and cheese bites, on a table surrounded with festive decorations such as greenery, candles, or fairy lights. This inviting setup lets guests serve themselves and keeps the occasion relaxed. Add a personal touch by incorporating decorations you may already have, like holly garlands or door wreaths, which can then be displayed after the hosting event.
Saffron Unwin, Dr Oetker Ristorante Grande spokesperson, said: “We believe it’s time for people to reclaim the joy of hosting. The festive season should be about spending time with friends and family, not being overwhelmed in the kitchen. Cooking for festive gatherings often means oven space is limited, with added stress from different cooking times and moving food around the oven in order to fit everything in!
“With Ristorante Grande and its great large rectangular size it fills the oven shelf and helps simplify cooking, allowing hosts more time to relax with their guests.”
