How to Host a Simple + Delicious Holiday Gathering

Stepping out of your comfort zone, and not showing up empty handed.

Planning on hosting a Friendsgiving or holiday party? Perfect, because someone’s got to do it! Or planning on attending a party and don’t want to show up empty handed? Amazing, the more the merrier and this is the spot for you. I want to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone this season with hosting or bringing a simple and sharable dish.

These are 5 tips for joyful holiday hosting, plus recipes that are simple to make and convenient to bring so you don’t have to show up empty handed!

5 TIPS FOR JOYFUL HOSTING:

Don’t try and do it all yourself: As soon as I chose the date to host Friendsgiving, I started a group text with my girlfriends and asked first what they would be willing to bring, and then made my list from there. Some people offered desserts, some offered drinks and others offered appetizers. I filled in the blanks! People want to contribute! Don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself.
Prep in advance, make a list: Once the food, drinks, utensils and dishes were delegated, I could make a list of the hosting things that I would need. Such as, tablecloths, kids crafts, cups, and other miscellaneous things I would like for table settings. I had this list ready to go a week before the party, so I didn’t feel rushed, and it gave me time for the last-minute necessities.
Set the stage and organize the space. AKA kids table, drinks, appetizers. If you know how many people are attending, including their kids, then you can make sure that not only is there enough food for everyone to eat, but places to sit. This isn’t always easy when you host yourself, because space might be limited. Just make sure there are designated areas. I made a kids table, and a main table but had a highchair on standby for the littles. There was a designated drink area that was separate from the appetizers for easy self-serving. Even if there is limited space, if it’s laid out in a way that makes sense, your guests are sure to find things easily and therefore have a good time!
Butcher paper/ appetizer table ready upon arrival. You might not have the turkey ready, but if the chips and salsa are out, that should hold them over for a bit. Having finger food ready for guests is an easy way to get the party going and keeping people occupied without needing everything to be done and ready right away. EXAMPLE: if a party starts at 5pm, I want my appetizers (chips, cheese, bread and butter, bacon wrapped dates, etc.) ready and on the table by 4:45, just in case you have some early birds. But I wouldn’t plan for the main dish/ sides to have to be ready until 6 when, ideally, the guests have arrived (even the stragglers) and people have had time to mingle. TIP: Butcher paper is a fantastic way to organize an appetizer table. It’s easy to clean up, as it acts like a tablecloth. But you can also write on it and label which food is which right on the paper. I love this hack and use it for all my parties now!
Don’t stress about the cleanup, use pretty paper goods and disposable dishes. You have people coming over to enjoy your space and each other, so inevitably, there will be messes. ESPECIALLY with kids invited as well. Use as many disposable plates and pans as you can for easy clean up, have a big trash bag ready for the quick and easy throw aways. But the whole point of a party is to have fun. So, enjoy it. Enjoy your people, eat good food, fellowship well, and don’t stress the small stuff.

DON’T SHOW UP EMPTY HANDED, SOME OF MY FAVORITE EASY SHARABLE DISHES.

But also, if you don’t want to cook. Bringing prebaked desserts or a bottle of wine 🍷is a good option also!