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24 STYLE | special feature<br />
5. THE RIGHT SIDE DISH<br />
What to contribute when you’re not hosting.<br />
There’s really nothing worse than turning up with the same dish as someone else,<br />
so get creative in the kitchen and, for arguments sake, hold the sprouts. If you’re<br />
struggling for ideas, keep those with intolerances or dietary preferences in mind.<br />
Vegans usually fall short at large family dinners, succumbing to a plate merely<br />
comprised of vegetables and the few potatoes that haven’t been exposed to<br />
duck fat, so make sure you’ve got their backs with a side dish that will satisfy<br />
vegans and non-vegans alike. Mini nut roasts will have everyone at the table<br />
asking for your recipe, so don’t let them know which celebrity chef you imitated<br />
this time. It goes without saying that a side dish picked up from the supermarket<br />
en route simply won’t do.<br />
6. SECRET SANTA ADVICE<br />
They don’t want the bath set you got in your stocking last year.<br />
Christmas is all about giving, we know, but we don’t think there’s any<br />
reason you can’t benefit from a secret Santa gift. Perhaps give the gift<br />
of a cocktail or sushi making kit. The new-found cocktail enthusiast<br />
will surely need a taste tester, and you’ll be the first volunteer, with<br />
one hand waving in the air, the other clutching a mojito glass that’s<br />
oh-so-ready to be filled to the brim.<br />
It’s important for us to mention budgets. If your secret Santa<br />
budget is set to $15 then stick to it. That $100 perfume will only<br />
induce gifting guilt and there’s nothing festive about that.<br />
7. THE CHRISTMAS MORNING GET-UP<br />
What do you mean you didn’t get new pyjamas in your stocking?<br />
On Christmas morning, comfort is a priority. In a scenario of over<br />
eating and over drinking, an elasticated waistband is only ever seen as<br />
a good thing. But alas, carol singers or long lost relatives may swing<br />
by unexpectedly, so looking well put together is also imperative. Ask<br />
Santa to pick some in a wonderful print or bold colour in order to<br />
keep things fun, young and fresh.<br />
The best part about wearing pyjamas on Christmas morning is<br />
that when you simply can’t converse any longer and you’re filing for<br />
chocolate coin bankruptcy, you can sneak off to bed, without having to<br />
slip into something more comfortable and more spacious.<br />
8. TAMING HUNGRY, UNEXPECTED GUESTS<br />
Cupboard fillers to feed the masses.<br />
No, the half-eaten tray of Tim Tams really won’t suffice. During the festive season,<br />
you never know who’s going to pop in, but chances are they’ll be hungry so have<br />
ammunition at the ready. Macaroons can be picked up cheaply; they keep well and<br />
look most impressive served with either coffee or champagne. Be sure to have a<br />
supply of cold meats, olives, cheeses and crackers; when you hear those guests<br />
trotting up the drive, grab the chopping board and assemble that platter stat.<br />
They’ll welcome a change to the standard mince pie, trust us. If you fail to prepare,<br />
you’d better be willing for them to eat the candy canes off the tree.
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