“In A Fix” Come Holiday Entertaining Season (NAPSA)—Entertaining a crowd during the busy holiday season can be hassle-free if you plan in advance. Deborah DiMare, designer on TLC’s “In a Fix,” says now is the time to dec(orate) the halls to make holiday entertaining a breeze. DiMare cites research from specialty electronics and home appliance retailer Best Buy confirming that the vast majority (84%) of Americans entertain fam- ily and friends duringthe fall and winter months. “Since the kitchen is the new family room and often the favored gathering spot for guests, now is the time to update appliances and freshen the space for entertaining,” says DiMare. “Home renovation projects—unlike putting together the party menu—take some extended planning. Think in terms of the ‘12 weeks of Christmas’ when it comes to party-perfect room presentation.” DiMare offers her advice: e Ensure adequate seating and create conversation areas for guests. Consider adding a few stools for “spectator seating” in the kitchen. And, for fun and colorful extra kid seating, try bean bag chairs in the great room or entertainment room area. When cooking for a large group, it can be difficult to time food presentation. The new Frigidaire Range with Bake ’n Warm” Oven Drawer has two ovens. It’s ideal for cooking main and side dishes simultaneously. Upgradeto a larger stainless steel refrigerator sized tofit the food you'll need. Frigidaire, for example, manufactures stainless steel sideby-side refrigerators as large as 26 cubic feet. This gives you enough space for entertaining, as well as feeding your growingfamily. There are other options if your refrigerator space is maxed out. Create a special serve-yourself drink area. The Frigidaire Beverage Center, a stainless steel refrigerator that has a spigot on the front, holds a 16-ounce keg of beer with additional shelving for more cold beverages and snacks. For added entertainment value, add an iPod Digital Music System or small flat screen television in the kitchen so that you can play favorite holiday tunesor classic movies as you prepare for and during the party. Create a host-savvy space for holiday entertaining this year with little touches that deliver big impact. For more advice from Deborah DiMare, look for her design guide online at www.bestbuy.com.
