Hosting at Home
If you know me, you know I love to host! My mom Dede was an excellent hostess and regularly opened up my childhood home to guests, so I learned from the best. My days of hosting ragers until the sun comes up are in the rear view, but I do still enjoy hosting a crowd. Hospitality is a gift, and not everyone has it. Many people are uncomfortable hosting and will therefore feel honored to be invited into your home. Making them comfortable is paramount!
If you're hosting at home, consider my tried & true hostess tips.
Notify neighbors of the party and start/end time. This will help prevent annoyances over parking and noise.
Lighting - lighting is everything when it comes to creating atmosphere! Consider your lighting inside and out. Leave your front porch light on to make sure your entry is obvious and welcoming. I avoid overhead lights, opting instead to turn on all lamps and dim chandeliers. Table top battery operated lamps are a great idea especially for food tables.
Music - second only to lighting! Small speakers throughout the house at a low volume will create the perfect background. I like to create a playlist and play it straight (not shuffled) so I can curate the beat for how I want the party will flow... easy to start, more upbeat in the middle, and then a little wild if I want to encourage a late night crowd, or back to easy if I want it to wrap up.
Bathroom - stock a full toilet paper roll, fill hand soap, and hang a fresh hand towel
Empty your trash & recycling bins. Set out trash cans so guests don't have to search for them.
Empty the dishwasher and sink. Consider tucking away items that normally sit on your countertops to create space for dishes and to minimize clutter. I always tuck away my toaster, stand mixer, and fruit bowl.
Seating - consider removing large accent pillows that could impede couch seating. Pull chair/bar seats away from tables where food will go. You can line them up on the walls for seating that won't interfere with guests grazing and mingling. Lint roll the cushions so guests don't leave with your pet's hair.
Set out at least one appetizer right away, even if guests are bringing dishes.
Have readily available non alcoholic drinks. Water is a good idea for drinkers and non-drinkers alike. I set out a dispenser and dress it up with sliced citrus, but canned seltzer waters work! Setting glassware out will allow guests to comfortably self-serve.
Hide any special wine/liquor bottles you don't want to share.
Remove special rugs/breakables from high traffic areas.
Consider if you want to ask guests to remove their shoes. I do not, so I roll up the runner in my foyer so it won't get dirty.
Hide pet food/beds and consider whether you should contain your animals to keep them away from guests, food and open doors.
Have a phone charger on hand for guests.
Apply blue painters or caution tape on any level changes, raised thresholds, or other trip hazards. It will look tacky, but guest safety is more important.
Set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature. Start it low knowing that with warm bodies it will warm up.
Dry outdoor seating cushions and wipe down chairs.
If it's raining, place a towel inside your front door so guests can dry their shoes before coming in.
If you don't want guests waiting for you to answer the door, post a "come on in!" sign. If you do want them to wait, make sure your doorbell works.
Designate a place for purses/coats (not where people will sit - better for a guest bed or even on the stairs)
Happy hosting!
