I’ve partnered with Nasacort Allergy 24HR to bring you this post, all opinions are my own.

It is that time of year again when the hustle and bustle of the holiday’s season starts! I love holiday entertaining and catching up with friends and family when everyone is relaxed and enjoying the joy the season brings.

With parties and social gatherings growing more and more elaborate, and everyone trying to outdo each other, hosting a get-together is a difficult task to undertake any time of year but especially during indoor allergy season. No one wants their guests to go home battling their perennial allergies. A few of the multi-symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis are:

nasal congestion

runny nose

sneezing

itchy nose

I believe that in our eagerness to impress and bedazzle our guests, we’re missing the point of entertaining entirely. A warm and relaxing social interaction should be our main concern when opening our doors to friends and family. There is still stress and chaos that comes along with the holidays and it can be downright nerve-wracking but I have a few tips that might help!

Have small intimate get-togethers

During the holidays we don’t need to throw extravagant and time-consuming parties. A big bash can be fun, don’t get me wrong, but when you’re the one throwing it the expenses and stress add up fast.

Smaller parties are easier to arrange, are less work and leave lots of time to enjoy your guests and make them feel special too. Why not entertain fewer people, more often!

Dealing with indoor perennial allergies

This might go without saying but if you’re like me, indoor allergies can be awful, especially when you have indoor pets. I like to quickly vacuum the house and wipe down any area that might have lingering pet dander, I know this helps me and I’m sure guests will be thankful too.

To further help me relieve my nasal allergy symptoms, I use Nasacort allergy 24HR. Nasacort Allergy 24HR is a nasal spray that provides me with a no taste and no smell relief. It has the same strength as a prescription spray which best targets my nasal allergy symptoms. Not only does Nasacort Allergy 24HR provide me with 24 hour relief, it is also non-drowsy which allows me to get back to doing what I love.

It really works for me! My sister has multiple pets in her home and I know that without my dose of Nasacort Allergy 24HR I won’t last long in her house before my allergies take over. For me, I experience symptom improvements within the first day of treatment, however, for others; it may take 3 to 4 days to feel relief.

Nasacort Allergy 24HR formula contains no alcohol, it does not drip and it releases a gentle mist in your nose to help you relieve your nasal allergy symptoms. For more information visit Nasacort Allergy 24HR. Always follow the label.

Keep the menu simple

I’m a big believer in keeping things simple as to not overwhelm yourself or your guests. Make entertaining easy enough that you’ll want to do it more by keeping your menu simple and limited. If you’re hosting a small gathering maybe finger foods and beverages are enough but if you’re putting out a full spread stick to a main, a couple sides and one dessert.

Overdoing it also unfairly raises the stakes for guests who want to reciprocate. Focus on the quality of what you serve, not the quantity. Creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere at your parties will go a long way and guests will remember you for that.

Expect people to cancel out on you

I’m all about the RSVP so when guests drop out last-minute or no-show it can be extremely disappointing.

Blame it on our over-scheduled times, a general slackening of social responsibility, but this is the way things are. Be ready for it. If you're planning an event or activity involving several people, expect one or more will almost certainly cancel. Why not extend a last minute invite to a close friend or be happy that you have a small gathering and plenty of refreshments.

Invite someone over for coffee

Gone are the days of just popping in to say hi to a friend. Why not bring those days back? Invite someone over for coffee, tea or a glass of wine. This simple, casual way to connect with others during the holiday season has lost ground to more elaborate and expensive forms of entertaining.

Informal drop-by visits with friends and neighbors is a great way to catch up, share experiences, vent concerns and give yourself a needed break from the chaos that is life. Pure, uplifting social interaction…without all the fuss. Try it, you might just like it!

Entertaining is supposed to be fun, remember?!

Keep in mind that throwing a dinner party or hosting a gathering isn’t an audition, you’re not on trial and your guests aren’t there to judge you.

If your worried things won't go well, and they might not, remember, it's not about you. It's about inviting people into your home and making them feel welcome and comfortable. If you're

tense and concerned about everything being perfect, that's what they'll pick up on. Make it fun. Be casual, gracious, spontaneous. You'll be a hit, and so will your party.

[1] NASACORT® Allergy 24HR Product Monograph. Sanofi-Aventis Canada Inc. April 23, 2018.

[2] Adapted from Stokes, et al 2004