There’s nothing more memorable than a gathering with friends or family, hosted within the walls of your very own home. And there’s no one more appreciated than that of an excellent hostess.
For many of us, hosting a party sounds more like a burden than it does enjoyable. But the truth is, entertaining does not have to be expensive or time consuming. Nor does it require a special kind of person or home. Consider these five helpful tips for perfecting your hostess skills this holiday season.
Tip 1: Ask for help.
In any occasional, large or small, ask for help. Assign side dishes. Invite friends over early to help prepare. And always ask for help with the clean up after the majority of your guests have left!
The only thing holding you back from hosting is the image in your head screaming “it’s too much work"!” Let your loved ones lighten your load so you can enjoy the process.
Ditch the “I can do it all myself” mentality and toss your friends an apron.
Tip 2: Keep it simple.
I know every Pinterest party has a million amazing details. But hosting is less about the presentation and more about the company! Pick a couple small things to focus on and get rid of the rest.
There’s no need to plan (or force) games for every gathering. Not everyone enjoys saying what they’re thankful for around the table... Go with what feels natural and let your guests take part in how the evening goes! In all cases, never be afraid to let your event be solely about food and chatting.
Tip 3: Don’t procrastinate.
Getting over ambitious is a thing of nature. We’re all under the impression that it’ll take less time to accomplish your task at hand than it actually does. So give yourself plenty of wiggle room!
Make your dishes ahead of time, or have everything chopped and assemble ready the day of. Don’t be afraid to order some things take out, not everything has to be made from scratch. And NEVER attempt to cook a new meal. The definition of stress is ruining your new found recipe 30 minutes before the guests arrive.
Embrace basic desserts. Who ever said brownies from the box weren’t delicious?
Tip 4: Be a guest at your own party.
Entertaining is solely about having a good time. And you shouldn’t be hosting a party, unless you plan to do just that!
Never apologize about the lack of decoration or mention how your food didn’t turn out the way you’d hoped. And don’t you dare mention how messy you think your house is! Your guests should never feel like they’re stressing you out or burdening you by being there.
In most cases, no one is focusing on the tiny details like you are. So sit back and relax! You’ve made it so far!
Tip 5: Don’t wait.
There’s no need to wait until your home is perfect before hosting your next party. The truth of the matter is, you might always have a long list of to-do’s. And what’s a home if not to make happy memories in?
In the words of Chris Loves Julia, “Don’t Wait.”
HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST
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