Hosting and Gathering for the Holidays
At this time of year, we can feel the weariness of hustle and bustle, but it doesn't have to be that way! Whether you're hosting a small gathering or a large crowd, you can keep things manageable with a few tips and tricks we can offer! Inevitably you may find yourself hosting this holiday season, whether it's a Friendsgiving celebration, Thanksgiving dinner, or even Christmas gathering. Don't be intimidated and don't let the size of your home limit the size of your hospitality. In whatever season you may find yourself, our tips are applicable any time of year.
Here is our list in a nutshell, but stick around and read on for more details and hacks:
1. Ask For Help- You have nothing to prove and guests are usually more than happy to bring side dishes, desserts, drinks or appetizers.
2. Simplify- You might have scoured the internet for the best recipe for each dish, the prettiest tablescape, and fun craft ideas. Pick one or two new things to try, but then simplify using easy, tried and true recipes or even store bought items for your own sanity and enjoyment.
3. Start Early- Not necessarily as in time of day {e.g. before the sun rises}, but start by putting the table leaf in, grabbing extra chairs, pulling out your china and serving ware a day or two before and set the table and start prep on some food items.
4. Prep Ahead- This is slightly similar to #3, but for food, you can boil, roast, chop, etc. a lot of food items ahead of time. Clean out your freezer and fridge ahead of time- they are your best friends for hosting. It's easier to warm food the day of your event and only have serving dishes to clean rather than the stress of cooking all morning/ day and having counters full of pots and pans before guests come over.
5. Connect- This part is the most important tip! This meal, this gathering, this event is not a show. Hosting is not a performance. It's a tool to bring people together, to foster relationships, to share the joy of feasting both food for the body and fellowship for the soul.
As you plan, remember you don't have to spend a lot of money or overcomplicate things to be festive. We can easily bring seasons into our homes with small tweaks and natural elements. For our Friendsgiving, we foraged and found pruned branches to use in our arrangements. Candles are also an easy way to add impact and simple elegance. Whether you choose tapers, pillars, some votives, or a combination of all of the above, they bring a cozy warmth to any dinner table. Lastly, don't forget music! Just a soft instrumental station in the background helps set a festive mood and relaxes guests.
Menu planning is great, but be flexible if you have to delete or change things to keep it simple. Buy the pre-made rolls, the box stuffing, the canned sauce. Use the paper plates of disposable pans. Remember a laid-back hostess is a blessing to everyone. Just try to enjoy the process as much as the final event. And keep your eyes on the bigger goal- Creating space, literally and figuratively, for people to feel seen, known, and loved this holiday season.
