Christmas entertaining

Listen to me carefully about Christmas parties – you don’t have to throw one if you don’t want to.

Every year I say to myself, “I’m not having a party, I’m too tired.”

This brings about a mental shift which enables me to write an invitation list, email it, cook a few fabulous bits of food and buy some wine.

Every year I’m glad I did it, because it’s the one and only time when we should catch up with the people we haven’t been paying enough attention to during the rest of the year.

It’s also the time to forget and forgive. Christmas, with its message of peace, is as good a time as any to do it.

Here’s how I manage the party:

1. I give a long time span – such as six till 11pm. This means not everyone will turn up at once. People can pop in for a drink on the way home from work, people with kids can turn up early and people with other parties can come and go when they want.

2. I always do comfort food from the days of my parents’ parties. If anyone asks if they can bring a plate, I say yes. Some of the food has to be on the table from the beginning and you can put more up as the evening goes by. When people are drinking they need lots of food. Don’t think you can get away with chips and peanuts.

3. Prepare the music in advance, stick the CDs on random select and forget about them.

4. Have more wine than you think you will need – there’s nothing worse than running out at a party. Have huge amounts of water, fruit juice and fizzy drinks readily available.

5. You don’t have to break the bank account, but you do have to delegate – then you will have the best Christmas party in the neighbourhood.

What you need

1. Fresh asparagus rolls made with grainy bread.

2. Homemade sausage rolls – I’ll let you buy the pastry and even the filling, but add some finely-chopped shallots and herbs.

3. Ham on the bone. (Don’t forget the stand to carve it on.)

4. Cheese and bread.

5. A vegetable terrine of some description.

6. Christmas cake.

7. Love and peace.