Tips and Tricks For Stress Free Hosting
Okay, well, ALMOST stress-free hosting.
We all know that it won’t be ultimately stress-free, but I will share a few of my favorite tips and tricks that I’ve learned to make the day more enjoyable!
Plan Ahead—Duh, right? NO. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve hosted and said out loud, “If only I’d planned better,” so now I plan everything. Plan out your theme, food menu, and drink menu to ensure ease on the day of festivities.
Make A List or a multi-pile list. Lists are a great way to stay on top of everything that needs to be done, but you must make a list of everything. I recommend making a grocery or catering list for your food, drinks, and flowers and a list for how you set the table, including all of the trills and trinkets you want to add. Making a list will also help you delegate tasks, which is another tip on my list!
PREP PREP PREP—After you make a plan and buy the items on your list, begin to prep. Chop, slice, and peel everything that needs to be done, and measure everything out so you can put your recipe or drinks together on the day!
Delegate —As a type A person, I find this one challenging because I like things to be done a certain way. The more I host, the more I learn that I prefer to go behind and tweak to my liking vs. not having it set up at all. Easier said than done, I know, but you’ll be happier you asked for help, trust me.
Clean as You Go - Don’t say you’ll come back to throw it away or wash that dish; you won’t.
Pre-Made Apps or Mains + Batched Drinks - You can’t do it all. I prefer pre-made apps to mains, but do what’s best for you. This way, when some guests arrive early and you are putting on the last-minute touches, there will be bites for them to enjoy,+ your pre-batched drinks will do the heavy lifting for you ;)
Lastly, no party is complete without a playlist. I have loved the Jazz House 2024 station on Spotify for most of the year. It offers a mix of upbeat, smooth Jazz music that everyone will love.
Happy Hosting xx