Before you know it, these chilly days will give way to Spring. Are you ready to open your home to guests, loved ones, or friends this season? Welcoming others into your home doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating.
Don’t let the fear of others seeing inside your home, keep you from hosting and creating meaningful memories.
Whether it be an Easter brunch, neighborhood egg hunt, or spring bridal shower we’re excited to share a few of our best tips to prepare your home.
BEFORE HOSTING
The best way to have an idea of how your home will welcome your guests, is to actually pretend to arrive to your own home as a guest and do a walk thru. Clear the entry way & drop zone to create a spot for guests to put their coats, keys, and purses.
Strategically declutter areas in your home that will be used during the event. It’s ok to edit these spaces by temporarily clearing countertops/surfaces of trinkets, extra decor, personal items that don’t exist to help guests eat, sit, or socialize. You can corral these items in a laundry basket, bin, or bag and put away in an “event holding zone” in a room not being used during the gathering.
Designate zones to create flow for serving food & drink. Set up different areas for food, drink, and desserts. Have an empty trash can with a fresh bag easily available for guests. If you’re using real dishes, give brief & clear instructions on where guests should put used dishes.
Prep the table and serving surfaces the day before: florals or greenery in vases with fresh water, necessary dishes and flatware set out, serving platters with necessary serving utensils, place appropriate number of glasses by drink station.
Quick bathroom refresh: clean hand towel, filled hand soap, box of tissues, extra toilet paper, an empty trash can.
Don’t have exactly what you need? Ask a friend or neighbor to borrow items like a drink dispenser, ice bucket, extra cooler, additional chairs, etc.
If cooking all the food items doesn’t excite you or feel realistic, ask guests to bring specific dishes. It is OK to allow others to contribute and to ask for help. Or consider a few local catering options we recommend, especially for brunch deliciousness:
WHILE HOSTING
Play background music at a volume that is low enough not to interfere with conversation. Instrumental and acoustic playlists can create ambiance without too much distraction.
Enjoy your home and your guests! Your posture and attitude will be evident to all who enter your space.
Remember to stay present, you are not only providing a space but you are sharing your “home” and your life with your guests. Messes are inevitable and perfection is not the goal.