I leased a lil one-bedroom apartment for a year before I got married, and in that span, I hosted 49 people in my home throughout the year – coffee and dessert gatherings, 4 birthday parties, an “open house” new year’s party, and plenty of dinners with friends and family. I can say I’ve always loved the idea of hosting parties, but it really became a part of my lifestyle that year!
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”9″ gal_title=”p a r t y”]
Haven’t you heard people talk about having a “home” instead of a “house?” That concept is pretty strong – home is where you’re the most relaxed, the most yourself, and the most comfortable. Home is a place you feel like you belong. When it comes to sharing that space with others, that’s hospitality. It’s about making someone else feel welcome, at ease, and valued. It’s about making them feel at home!
If you don’t feel “gifted” in hospitality the first time you host a gathering, I think that’s pretty normal. It’s really just like a muscle – the more often you exercise it, the stronger it gets. Here are some tips on making your guests feel at home – in your home. And for making you feel at home while hosting them in your home. What? Just roll with it.
Anticipate your guest’s needs. If it’s your first time having them over, let them know where they can put their belongings and where the restroom is. A simple, lighted candle or diffuser in each room your guests may visit is a cue to them that you anticipated them being there – they’re not intruding in the wrong space.
Keep it coming. My parents are master party-hosters, and one thing I’ve noticed is the way they always have something ready and waiting on their guests. If they plan on serving dinner at 7 and their guests show up at 6:30, they will have drinks poured and a tray of appetizers waiting on them. Because of their value for hospitality, they keep a stock of snacks and appetizers (cheese, crackers, nuts, fruit) as well as specialty sodas, cookies, and homemade breads ready for any occasion. The main thing – dinner doesn’t have to be the main or only serving! Multiple serving points for appetizers, meals, desserts, and coffees make space for both your guests’ preferences/diets and a way to keep your guests entertained.
Muuuuusiiiicccc. This helps tremendously with the mood and life of the party. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been at a great restaurant or gathering and wondered why it still felt a little stiff, only to realize there was no music! For the first few folks that show up at your gathering, some background music will lighten any awkwardness that comes with starting the first conversations. Surprisingly, YouTube is typically my go-to for music – I’ve found a ton of great playlists there!
Have fun with the layout! Your dining room table doesn’t have to be the one place everyone gathers. change things up – eat on the patio, eat Asian-style on floor cushions, make it buffet-style and let folks grab a plate and sit in the living room. It can be as unique as you want it to be!
Rethink your food presentation. Consider using a mix of eclectic dishes instead of matching ones. Or, get a serving tray and use that to present your desserts and coffees. Serve buffet-style and make labels for your dishes. Group your salad ingredients together by color instead of mixing. Use cake stands to add dimension to your food placement setup. Art can happen anywhere, y’all. It’s 2018.
Add layers of activities. I try to think through the experience my guests will have – if it’s a large group, we can probably all play a game and have fun with it. But for the folks that show up before everyone else, or for that one person that is a little out of their comfort zone, I’ll make sure there’s a magazine, coffee table book, or photo album.
I promise, no matter the space you have, you can make some great memories happen! Let’s party!
