Make Boxing Day Your Own Day-After-Christmas Tradition
(ARA) - At this time of year, there are parties for everything from Christmas to Hanukkah to Kwanza. But have you ever considered celebrating Boxing Day? The Boxing Day holiday began in Europe as a "day after Christmas" tradition, where the landed gentry gave their servants supplies they would need for the coming year. Today, Boxing Day is still very much alive in England, Germany, Canada and the United States, but as a day-after-Christmas open house for family, friends and co-workers.
"The day after Christmas is the perfect time to entertain," says Linda West-Eckhardt, a James Beard & Julia Child Award-winning cookbook author and food educator. "The decorations are still up. The fridge is still full of leftovers. Ball games are on the TV. It’s probably the easiest party you’ll throw all year."
To get the party started, Eckhardt recommends the following stress-saving strategies:
* Start with an all-purpose wine like German Riesling.
Riesling is one of the few wines that will go with nearly any food, from spicy ethnic dishes, to the holiday ham or turkey and even beef, Eckhardt says. "A case gets me through the holidays."
German Rieslings, such as the top-selling Relax Riesling from Schmitt Sohne USA, usually sell for less than $9 a bottle, and offer a crisper, cleaner taste because of the rocky, cool growing climate in Germany. Buy one bottle for every two adults attending. For more information and serving ideas, visit www.littlegerman.com.
* Forget the fancy invitations.
Call to clear the timing with your guests’ schedules about three weeks in advance, so you have an accurate headcount. Or save more time by using free online invitation services like evite.com, which will also allow you to receive online RSVPs.
* Make what you love and improvise the rest.
Eckhardt recommends choosing one or two easy recipes to make from scratch that will make an impression, like the ones below. Supplement the buffet with build-your-own sandwiches made from leftover turkey, miniature buns and gourmet mustard. Buy sides from the grocery deli like roasted vegetables, steamed green beans, cooked mashed potatoes, deviled eggs or pea salad. And don’t forget to reheat grandma’s sweet potato casserole. Set out the last of the Christmas cookies and candies in festive bowls and trays and there won’t be any left to ruin those New Year’s resolutions.
* Consider your guests’ comfort and interests.
"If you’re serving food that requires a knife and fork, are there enough dining tables, card tables and coffee tables for people to put their plates down? If you have kids and adults attending, will there be enough things for them to do to keep them happy?" Eckhardt says. She recommends making the "Riesling Cookie" dough the night before, and letting the guests butter their hands then shape the cookies, bake and share them with the whole party. Ask family members to bring their favorite old photos to compare, set out board games or sponsor a card tournament.
* Use recycled table decorations.
"You don’t need a dining room cabinet full of fancy trays and crystal for an event like this," Eckhardt says. "Decorate like the professionals do. Create 'stands' for two or three of your showier dishes using short, wooden crates or a thick hardbound book. Then just scrunch a coordinating tablecloth over and around the boxes for a soft effect. In between dishes you can put ornaments, candles, or sprigs of pine or holly. Don’t be afraid to take other decorations, like that potted miniature live Christmas tree from the entryway, and put it on the table. You already have everything you need."
Courtesy of ARA Content
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