By Tracey Seghabi, Property Development Manager at Raine & Horne Helensburgh 

Tracey Seghabi is Raine & Horne Helensburgh’s secret weapon. With a background in styling homes for sale and rent, Tracey and her husband are also the owners of Hue Homes. Tracey regularly entertains family and friends at her home she shares with her husband and two children, so we asked her for all the best tips & tricks for Christmas this year.

Tracey gave us her top 5 time savers, to make this Christmas entertaining as stress-free and relaxing as possible.

1. Engaging the expertise of a local grazing box business will alleviate the pressure of the preparation work to ensure an enjoyable experience for yourself! I recommend Lets Graze Co in Helensburgh. 

2. Make refreshments easy with drink dispensers with recyclable cups. Fresh water with slices of lemon edge sand ice keep it cold. I've also added strawberries and mint! 

3. Malamine/plastic plates. (I wash these in cold wash and reuse them.) Find some here.  

4. Fresh Prawns from your local store!! Fresh, delicious and filling, this superstar of Christmas get-togethers is worth the investment. I love Harley & John’s Seafood in Fairy Meadow for taste and freshness.  

5. Tracey’s Terrific Trifle recipe

What can I say… DELICIOUS and easy to make!! My famous ‘Tracey’s Terrific Trifle’; the hero of my parties and super easy to make. Make the elements the day before Christmas and construct the morning of the party. I’m happy to share the recipe, just sign up to our new SPOTLIGHT enewsletter (full of home, gardening, entertaining tips, plus local real estate information) by clicking here and scrolling to the bottom of the page, inputting your email address and I’ll send it directly to your inbox. Enjoy!! 

All photos supplied by Raine & Horne Helensburgh