Hosting Tips
Normally I LOVE hosting. It’s one of my love languages and favorite hobbies. I buy way too many table linens to not have people over to set a table for. But pregnant and with a 3-year-old, I’m more tired than ever and I wasn’t sure if I’d be up for it in this season. Then I got to thinking and I decided 1) that it’s easier to have Levi at our own house for Thanksgiving than to pack him up and worry about him getting into all sorts at someone else’s and 2) that even if I’m a bit tired, I knew I’d miss the opportunity to have people over in our beautiful home that I take so much pride in if I suggested another family host. This year will be two, almost, back-to-back hosting events—Thanksgiving and then my girl friends’ annual Soupsgiving a few days later. I may not be as creative as usual and may even borrow much of the same design behind the tablescapes, but I’m happy to have made the decision to have people over.
Hosting Tips
Make it a potluck or order in! I feel like there’s a misconception that to host you also have to provide all the food or cook it yourself and I really feel like that’s just not true any more. I somewhat enjoy cooking, but I really like hosting more. Make it easier on yourself and provide the main dishes and ask others to bring in their favorite sides (or any sort of combination you’d like, this year my father-in-law is doing the turkey and I’m doing most of the sides!).
Plan and set your table a few days in advance. A tablescape is definitely one of my favorite parts of hosting so this is fun for me to play around with in advance, but it’s also become so handy. No need to be scrambling the morning of when you’re already cooking (and probably cleaning).
Prep as much food ahead as possible. In a similar vein to number 2, get as much done the day before as possible. Some things like mashed potatoes are so easy to do the day before and are easily re-heated. If you can’t cook it in advance, chop any ingredients you can the night before.
Pull out all your serving dishes the day before and label what’s going in each. This helps ensure that you have enough dishes for everything, but also enables any kitchen helpers to keep things moving without them having to ask you where things go.
Start with a clean kitchen and dishwasher. Maybe an obvious one, but things will start to pile up fast and I hate the clutter. I always make sure the dishwasher is ready for all the new dishes and the kitchen is clear of all cooking things prior to guests arriving. It also makes clean up run much smoother!
Try to relax once the guests arrive! You set the tone for your party, once everyone is there, try to be present and enjoy yourself and others will too. Let go of any of things that didn’t get done or didn’t go according to plan, people just like to get together!
I love collecting things for hosting. My favorite finds are usually from antique stores or second hand stores, it feels more like treasure hunting and you usually end up with more unique pieces. But I also love sifting through HomeGoods for linens and Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel also have great classics. Anthropologie can have really fun and different tabletop items as well.
SHOP HOSTING FAVORITES
