You do not have to redecorate, deep clean, or renovate your home in order to host a lovely gathering in an organized way. We get it - the pressure to want to host well and to present your home at it’s best! The reality is, our homes are where we LIVE and that doesn’t always appear as tidy or organized as we hope. Remember that the friends, family, and strangers who are coming to your home also LIVE in their homes. Extend the grace to yourself that you would to anyone else. Reframe your mindset to this: you get to prepare your home to invite others into, so if that is a good encouragement and reason for you to get organized… GO for it!
Prepping your home for a party
Before you shop:
Check for supplies you may already have (plasticware, napkins, platters, vases, etc.)
Refer to this lovely quantity guide by Chinet.
Stock your toilet paper and paper towels. Use a seasonal hand soap in your bathroom. Fresh hand towel for drying hands!
Always empty the trash and recycling right before the party begins.
Consider the weather- spread your gathering outdoors if your space and the weather allows. Light citronella candles and incorporate outdoor shades and fans if possible.
Choose or make a playlist.
Keep it simple, remember every gathering or event does not have to feature an entire meal. Snacks and light bites are totally fine!
Use baskets and picture frames you already have to make a designated spot for cards and gifts. Print a quick note and pop it in an 8x10 photo frame to instruct guests to participate in any sort of game you are playing.
If you are the friend/sister/neighbor/mom who is often hosting, we recommend investing in a few staple pieces you will use time and time again. Shopping locally? Check out Finch Home and Table, Gather, and Bradleys. For a unique assortment of vintage dishes, check out our favorites - Doing Dishes.
Here are a few online options available:
High quality and versatile table cloth that fits your table
Eclectic and unique platters and dishes
Bar ware and accessories you love
Folding table and chairs for extra seating (useful for inside or outside)
Hosting a baby or bridal shower in your home
Theme or no theme, stick to a simple color scheme and coordinate your flowers, napkins, plates. Use the visual search engine, Pinterest for ideas and creating your vision.
Use what you have! If the budget is tight, make a shared list of items to source from friends and event hosts and/or guests: drink pitcher, large bowls, banners, vases, etc.
If you are hosting an event with LOTS of helpers and hosts, go with a potluck approach. Divide and conquer to provide an incredible spread from a variety of cooks.
Citrus and fresh flowers are an easy way to decorate! Always fresh and bright - visually and aromatically.
Pre-cut and prep items you can store easily ahead of time
Fruit for a fruit salad
Cheeses for a charcuterie board
Layout and label (with a simple sticky note) your trays and serving platters and bowls to determine placement beforehand
Designate roles for hosts and helpers - to avoid confusion or forgetting anything, assign each person a task or group of tasks to be the point person on (ie. food prep, florals, parking, greeting guests, etc.)
Be present!
Maximizing your space for gathering
It is common for guests to gather in the kitchen around the food… to avoid traffic jams, have food in different areas of the house to encourage gathering in other areas
Don’t be afraid to to move your furniture around
If your guests will not be using your table for sitting & eating, move the chairs away from the table and place them in other rooms for additional seating. This will create more space for guests to walk around and make their plates
Outsource to local vendors
Psssst - if cleaning your house feels like the hardest part of hosting, it’s ok to hire a professional. Then you’ll be set up and ready to do the rest!
If offering drinks and having a bar is important, consider utilizing a local company to outsource the bar - The Drink Box does great work!
Order the main dish or dessert to lighten the load of hosting and cooking all the food.
Caterers we love: Ham’n Goodys, City Catering,
Local bakeries to consider: Magpies, Cakes by Lauren Burdette, Benefit Your Life Bakery (gluten free),
If you need a space outside of your home, look into local parks and event venues. The lovely team of Bradley’s Chocolate have created a beautiful space for events: Linger.
Hire a photographer! Often as the host, you are focused on the details of the party and can miss some really special moments - this is a great way to preserve and capture the beauty long after the event is over. Or ask a friend with a high quality camera to snap some special photos for you.
Florals can be intimidating, but they don’'t have to be - let the experts do it!
Inviting guests and thank yous
Depending on how formal the event is, online invitations can be an affordable and efficient way to collect RSVPs and communicate details with guests
We love Paperless Post, Evite, and Punchbowl. If you want to keep it super simple, copy & paste a text to invitees but be sure to keep an updated list of RSVPs.
For paper goods, we always recommend working with The Happy Envelope and Little Postage House.
A hand written note to thank your co-hosts is a nice touch. A thoughtful hostess gifts is a very kind way to show appreciation for the hard work that went into the party.
Have disposable Tupperware on hand for packing leftovers. Send the guest of honor or their family home with delicious extra food after the event!
