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You know the feeling: it\u2019s 5 p.m., your guests are coming at 6, you\u2019ve barely prepped a thing, the table\u2019s not set\u2014and you still need to shower. Hosting doesn\u2019t have to be a chore, and with a little bit of forethought, gathering your loved ones for a meal can be what it\u2019s supposed to be: fun.<\/p>\n
We know that more than anyone, so we tapped the most brilliant hosts we know (us) for our best advice for surviving hosting season. From when to take the cheese out to how to make a housewarming extra special, here\u2019s what we do when company\u2019s coming over.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy learned-the-hard-way advice is to remember that your job as host is not putting on a show, it’s making people feel welcome and at ease. Have drinks ready for guests. Encourage them to wander around\u2014don’t you, too, love checking out other peoples’ houses? Do a seating chart in advance, so people don’t have to fend for themselves. Keep an eye on people’s glasses<\/a> so they don’t have to ask for more wine or water. And have fun\u2014if you’re having fun, they will too!\u201d \u2014Amanda Hesser, Founder and Executive Chair<\/p>\n \u201cMy friend Katherine, who owns a whole store devoted to dinner parties, Big Night<\/a>, shared this piece of advice that\u2019ll never forget: always let your cheese rest. Take it out a half hour before guests arrive, and it\u2019ll taste like actual cheese, and not the inside of your fridge. It also lets your softer cheese, like Brie, look all romantic on your cheeseboard<\/a>.\u201d \u2014Julie Vadnal, Editorial Director<\/p>\n \u201cMake the bathroom experience special. At my housewarming party I had nice dimmed lighting, single-use hand towels in a tray (the hand towels always get so gross at a party) and a speaker playing a different playlist than the rest of the party (I went for female country classics from the 90s and 00s!). It makes it feel like a bit of a retreat from the larger party and lets guests catch their breath.\u201d \u2014Jackson Fust, Senior Director, Merchandising & Planning<\/p>\n \u201cAlways be finishing up making food (either plating or last minute cooking) as guests arrive. It makes people feel less pressured to be \u2018on\u2019 right when they get to my house. I also try to have eucalyptus hanging from my shower to make my bathroom smell heavenly.\u201d \u2014Kelly Kenneally, Graphic Designer<\/p>\n “Any time I’m planning to serve a dessert (which is always), I try to make it either that morning or the day before. Most baked goods you’d be serving for dessert will last a night in the fridge, but if you’re worried about freshness or want to serve something warm, like a pie, you could assemble ahead and pop it in the oven during dinner.\u201d \u2014 Nea Arentzen, Content Creator<\/p>\n \u201cI used to break out my best plates and silverware, but now I have no shame setting out bamboo plates and pairing them with nice platters that I’ve collected throughout the years to serve everything family style. I feel like it balances the use of the bamboo dinnerware.\u201d \u2014Cesar Perez, Content Creator<\/p>\n \u201cIf you’re having a big group, keep any snacks or hors d’oeuvres in a few different places instead of just all on one table. Everyone wants to be near the food, so you\u2019ll maximize the space and keep everyone from congregating in the same spot. Also, the big light is usually a vibe killer. Skip overhead lighting and opt for lamps<\/a>, candles, an other warmer lights.\u201d \u2014Chelsea Burnside, Social Media Associate<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I’m hosting for friends, I think it’s realistic to delegate. I’ll do the main, I\u2019ll ask someone to bring a side, then someone else to bring the drinks.\u201d \u2014Tam Morales, Social Producer<\/p>\n “Make a big pot of coffee. Whether it’s a mid-day hang or late night dinner party, a good, hot cup of joe is the perfect way to either a) cap off the event or b) keep it rolling. Bonus points if you serve it in something cool\u2014like this French press<\/a>.” – Paul Hagopian, Editor<\/p>\n
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\nWhat are your go-to hosting tricks? Let us know in the comments below!<\/em>
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