BY: Candice Hudnall, President + Owner of Hamby Catering & Events
PHOTO CREDITS – COVER PHOTO Adrienne Cooper Photography ARTICLE PHOTOS – Aleece Sophia Photography
The final stretch of the year will be here before you know it, and with it comes all the buzz and busyness of the holiday season! At Hamby Catering, we know a thing or two about hosting and planning events, and further, how to maximize your time, effort and energy.
The holidays are a season where time is a precious commodity – whether it’s prepping, planning or finally settling in for time-honored traditions, here’s our advice, from our Hamby table to yours:
- Start planning early! There’s no better feeling than checking that done box – especially ahead of schedule. Buying shelf-stable ingredients or other goods that’ll freeze well are a good way to budget spending over a longer period of time. Take advantage of deals (we’re looking at you, BOGO!) as they come, rather than when they’re priced at a premium – or out of stock. At Hamby Catering, our Market has plenty of frozen dishes and appetizers ready to store in your freezer and pull out once it’s showtime!
- Test recipes ahead of time! Come November, it seems a new hack or recipe drops every day leading up to Thanksgiving. In an effort to reduce stress – and wow your guests – test drive new recipes well in advance. It’s an opportunity to work out the kinks, as well as, literally and figuratively, bring something new to the table.
- Outsource the hard stuff! There are certain recipes that, though delicious, end up taking up more time than you may have come the day of a holiday. Instead, seek out places that do the heavy lifting for you, so you just need to heat and serve! This is also a great option to support local businesses. Catering companies tend to have a host of fan-favorite eats, which can be ordered ahead of time and come ready to serve.
- Assess what you have on-hand! A month out from the holidays, pull out your casserole dishes, flatware and anything else you’ll be using the day of. From there, assess what you’ll be using for each dish, what needs replacing and if you need to purchase more (as we probably all have at least one missing spoon or fork). This is also a great time to consider how to store leftovers and send ‘em home with family – start saving your takeout containers now!
- Show up with showstoppers! We get it, grandma may have her famous turkey recipe or favorite ham glaze, but what about the accompaniments? Many catering companies offer a la carte options, appetizer packages and desserts to serve alongside the main event – the perfect option for guests! You’d be surprised how many local businesses are able to package up fan-favorites – if you’re wanting to bring something specific from a favorite spot, call ahead to see if it’s available for pick-up or catering.
- Serve a signature drink! This is a simple way to create something delicious and not overthink what to serve in the beverage department. This is a great option of non-alcoholic drinks as well, so the kids can get in on the holiday fun, too!
- Prep your space! If you’re hosting, think of how you can maximize your space – its current functionality may work day to day, but on a holiday with more people than normal in your home, explore how moving your couch or pulling your dining table’s leaf out of storage may add that much more room. If you are a guest, volunteer to bring extra seating – folding chairs are always a hot commodity on Turkey Day!
- Keep in mind your corporate contacts! If you’re in charge of sending out, booking or picking up holiday gifts or eats, don’t think all the responsibility falls on your shoulders! Check with your caterer and see if they accommodate pick-ups and drop-offs for corporate clients, as we know fueling camaraderie during the holidays helps charge the final push of the year. Many local caterers and businesses also provide curated gift bundles, perfect for client drop-ins to show a token of appreciation for the year you’ve had and the year to come!
While these tips are going to be helpful leading up to the holidays, it’s important to remember the “why” behind what they mean. At Hamby, we know not everyone is fortunate enough to have a homecooked Thanksgiving meal. For more than a decade, we’ve teamed up with the Lowcountry Food Bank to donate a portion of every Thanksgiving meal we sell to benefit a neighbor in need. To date, we’ve sponsored over 5,000 meals and plan to surpass 6,000 by the close of the 2024 Thanksgiving season. Also, remember Small Business Saturday and Giving Tuesday – two initiatives that both serve to boost the local community.
For more information on Hamby Catering and Events check out their website – https://hambycatering.com or follow them on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HambyCatering or Instagram – @hambycatering.
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