10 EASY WAYS TO SUCCEED AT HOSTING
Hosting is about planning ahead and thinking through all the details of your guests' stay and anticipating their needs before they arrive. Here are ten elements to consider for success in hosting:
FEEL: The beautiful thing about hosting in your home is you get to create the tone. Your guest will feed off of the tone you’re setting; peaceful, casual, relaxed. Once your guests have arrived, don't get wrapped into tasks, be present. Use the opportunity to mingle and create intentional conversations. Let people help you if they want to. Be graceful, both behind the scenes in preparation and with your guests when they arrive.
LIVING ROOM: Having an appetizer like this Delightful Olive Cheese Bread ready and on your coffee table with some fun coffee table books is a easy way to instantly make your guests feel at home and welcomed.
TABLE: Finding new and inventive ways to merchandise your table with things you already have in stock can be a fun way to make your guests feel special and cared for by setting the table uniquely for them. Choosing the color tones and aesthetics is one of my personal favorite things in preparing for my guests. An easy way to make the most of what you have is by mixing and matching your dishes. Also, having the table preset before they arrive allows you to put more thought and care into your tablescape.
FOOD: Cooking meals that don’t require you to be pulled into the kitchen for a ton of time is key. Choose things like these Savory Flank Steak Pinwheels that are simple but look fancy. It's also smart to make something that you're familiar with and to make as much in advance as you can so you're not missing out on time with your guest. Don’t worry if the food doesn’t come out exactly how you hoped - just own it and enjoy the evening you have together.
CONVERSATION STARTERS: As a host, you have a special opportunity to direct the conversation and get to know your guests better. If you are wanting some help thinking of questions or just want some to quickly print out, I've put together some pre-made Dinner Questions on the Hosting a Dinner: People blog.
LIGHTING: Lighting is so important - the type of lighting you provide in a room is going to help set the tone for what you expect of the evening. Using twinkling lights, candles, or side lamps instead of overhead lighting can completely change the atmosphere.
MUSIC: Creating a playlist and playing a variation of different artists according to your guest's preferences is another easy way to enhance the tone. I'm slowly beginning to share some of the playlists I create here if you'd like to enjoy, too!
CLEANING: Lightly pick up as you go but leave the deep cleaning for after your guests leave. I've found it helpful to relocate rooms if a room gets too messy (instead of spending time cleaning at that moment) to feel comfortable or enjoyable. More thoughts on that in: Hosting a Dinner: Timeline.
AN OVERNIGHT STAY: Having an "In Case You Forgot Something" basket on the dresser is an easy way to have things ready and available for your guests so they don't have to ask. More on this in Hospitality: Making Your Guest Feel Welcome. Also, having prepared snacks and appetizers in your fridge and pantry that are already set out or easily accessible for you to pull out really helps you maximize your time together.
DETAILS: Remember to have awareness. Things like watching your guest's beverage glass as it reaches empty and continuing to provide more so they don't have to ask can communicate care and create a comfortable atmosphere. Always find ways you can incorporate fun and thoughtful details. For example, when you can, create a gift for your guests so they can take a piece of the night home with them.
Striving to be thoughtful and to keep from putting guests in a place where they have to ask for something is a good foundation to start with. Having your friends and loved ones gathered together is a treat so don't let that get overlooked in the mix of everything.
| Credits: Author - Jacintha Payne; Photography - Ali Marsh |
We wanted it to be unique, and each of us friends had already done our traditional Thanksgiving dinners, so we were able to brainstorm different fun themes, and ended up settling on French cuisine as our inspiration for each course of the menu…