You’re Not Ready
🎉 Last-Minute Christmas Hosting: What to Do When Guests Arrive Early (and You’re Not Ready)
It’s December.
Plans are loose, schedules are flexible, and people are more social than any other month of the year.
Which means one thing:
Guests will show up early.
Guests will show up unannounced.
Guests will show up before you’re ready.
Whether it’s family dropping by, friends in the area, or neighbours “just stopping in,” last-minute hosting is a Christmas tradition in Australia.
Here’s how to stay calm, stay prepared, and look like the most organised host on the street — even when you’re absolutely not.
🎁 1. Accept the Truth: December = Surprise Visits
People don’t think twice about popping in during Christmas season.
Most of the time it’s friendly, warm, casual — but it puts pressure on you instantly.
You might be:
still cooking
still cleaning
still wrapping presents
or literally just waking up from a nap
And suddenly … the doorbell rings.
December hosting is chaotic — but with the right mindset, it becomes manageable.
🍷 2. The Drinks That Save You Every Time
If you want to look prepared in under 30 seconds, drinks are your secret weapon.
You don’t need a full bar; you just need the right essentials.
Your Christmas Hosting Starter Pack:
✔ 1–2 bottles of chilled white wine
Sauv Blanc or Pinot Grigio = universally safe, refreshing, summer-friendly.
✔ A bottle of sparkling
Prosecco or Brut Cuvée instantly makes the moment feel festive.
✔ A six-pack of beer
Easy to serve, appeals to almost everyone, no prep needed.
✔ A couple of RTDs
Vodka or gin premixes cover casual, social drinkers.
These four categories cover 95% of Christmas visitors.
⏰ 3. When You’re Not Prepared at All (and Guests Are Already Inside)
This is the moment every Aussie host knows well:
“Would anyone like something to drink?”
—and you realise the fridge is empty.
Don’t panic. Don’t apologise.
Do this instead:
Step 1: Offer water first
Gives you time. Looks intentional.
Step 2: Check what you actually have
You might still have a bottle somewhere.
Step 3: Order drinks immediately
GLUZZL brings them to your door fast, so you can focus on talking, cooking, or simply breathing.
Within minutes, you look fully prepared — and no one ever knows the truth.
😅 4. Why December Makes Hosting 10x Harder
Christmas hosting is unpredictable for three reasons:
① People are home more
Everyone’s off work, travelling, or visiting family.
② Plans are spontaneous
A quick chat turns into drinks.
A walk turns into a BBQ.
A drop-in turns into a table full of people.
③ Bottle shops close early
Especially in Hobart — this is a constant December headache.
🚚 5. GLUZZL: The Secret Weapon of Every Last-Minute Host
When guests arrive early and you’re scrambling, you don’t need fancy recipes or a stocked bar.
You just need this:
“Hey, I’ll order a few drinks — they’ll be here soon.”
GLUZZL delivers:
chilled wine
cold beers
sparkling
RTDs
spirits
Right to your door.
Fast.
Simple.
Life-saving.
Hosting suddenly becomes effortless again.
⭐ Hosting Doesn’t Have to Be Stressful — Not in December
Whether guests show up 10 minutes early or 2 hours early…
Whether you forgot to buy drinks…
Whether they brought extra friends…
You can still be the host who has everything under control.
Because GLUZZL has your back — every weekend, every surprise visit, every Christmas gathering.
Cheers to surviving the season.
And looking good doing it. 🎄🥂
