How to prepare for easy meals and last-minute hosting

You probably are already beginning to line up your plans for the holidays, and possibly even getting your home ready to host the big family gathering. While lining up your plans well ahead of time is always a must in the busy holiday season, one of the key preparations you can make is for something more unexpected - drop-in visits.

It's good to always be prepared to host at a moment's notice, and the holidays are one of the most common times for last-minute visits with people already traveling to see friends and family. You won't have time to fix your surprise guests a gourmet seven-course meal, but there are a few things you can do that can alleviate some of the stress of scrambling to get your house in order. Here are a few tips for keeping your home ready for hosting at a moment's notice.

* Keep easy meals on hand. A great meal doesn't always require slaving over a hot stove for hours. Dried pasta and a good sauce - perhaps one you've made yourself and canned - is always a delicious and quick meal. Complement it with some frozen breadsticks and you have a full meal that can be ready for your guests in a half hour. Or for a gourmet meal that can be made on a moment's notice, considering something like the frozen prepared meals offered by Omaha Steaks. It won't take you long to have a meal of pot roast and mashed potatoes ready with this option.

* Always have snacks on hand. Chips and salsa is a good bet, as it's an easy and crowd-pleasing snack. Each time you head to the grocery store this time of year, be sure to pick up extra of these types of snacks that won't go bad quickly and can be brought out at the last minute.

* Stay stocked up on beverages. Even if you're lacking on refrigerator space, be sure to store an extra case of soda in the closet or the garage or have an extra bottle of wine or two in your collection that can be opened when someone drops by unexpectedly.

* Pay extra attention to keeping key parts of your house clean. If you keep your entry way free of shoes, coats and other clutter and your bathrooms clean, you'll only have some quick tidying that you'll need to do before your guests arrive. And don't worry if your house isn't spotless. Your guests will understand if they are dropping by unexpectedly.

* Remember that your guests are coming to see you and don't expect you to entertain them. Catching up and conversation is always first on the agenda during an impromptu visit. While you might want to roll out the red carpet, focus on a few simple things like offering your guests a beverage and a snack when they arrive, but don't spend their entire visit preparing food or getting the house cleaned up.

You find more good ideas for easy recipes and hosting tips on the Web. Visit the Omaha Steaks blog at steakbytes.com for recipes, special offers and news on new offerings that you can incorporate into your next gathering.