If there is one thing I know about growing up in the south, it’s how to be a good host! Have you ever heard the saying “hostess with the mostest”?! Hosting is hands down one of my favorite things to do. There is nothing that makes me happier than getting friends and family together and having them over to eat, drink, laugh and enjoy each other. What better time of year is there to host a good party other than the holidays? Everyone is in the mood to indulge in sweet treats and get a little boozy on a Wednesday. It’s the best time of year!!

This holiday season, my friend Coco and I decided to host a holiday party together at her home. Coco is a really talented artist and we wanted to get some friends together to view her latest paintings and mix and mingle. We really just wanted an excuse to host a fun party! There are lots of elements that go into being a good host. You want your guests to feel welcome, comfortable, and most importantly, they sure shouldn’t leave hungry or thirsty! Here at my top 5 tips for hosting a holiday party.

Tip #1 - Practice!

Before you decide to host a party, a little practice goes a long way. I’ve definitely made this mistake before… I remember Barrett and I decided to cook for some friends at his house while we were dating a few years ago. We wanted to really impress our friends so we made homemade pizza and some really fancy bruschetta with balsamic glaze. That all would have been wonderful and dandy except I had never made either… I’ll never forget the looks on our friends faces as they tasted my goat cheese roasted tomato bruschetta with balsamic glaze… The glaze cooked for too long and it was basically a thick sticky consistency that reminded me of the molasses Cruella Deville fell in… DISASTER. MORAL OF THE STORY - practice your recipes and host a small group at least once before hosting a party.

Tip #2 - Stick to the 1:1 rule

It’s really easy to get super excited and google all the cute fancy recipes to wow your guests and pretend like your on chef’s table. But don’t do that. For every new recipe you’re making, make another one that you’ve already made and know like the back of your hand. Cooking something new inevitably takes longer than you think and you do not want to be stressed with cooking and baking recipes you’ve never made before. So, maybe you want to try a new goat cheese crostini with honey…. Yum! But then make your tried and true french onion dip or pimento cheese that you can throw together in a matter of minutes. It needs to balance out. Also, everyone loves knowing they’re going over to Sally’s house to have her famous cheese ball that she brings to every party. You have to have a couple dishes your friends love and expect!

Tip #3 - Bite size is best

This might seem silly and obvious but it’s so true. Have you ever been to a party and seen really delicious dishes that are untouched because they look difficult to eat? It’s the worst! No one wants to try and have a convo with someone they haven’t seen in a while trying to eat something that’s super messy and belongs on a dinner plate. Plan to make small bite size appetizers that people can graze on and easily eat while chatting with friends. Some of my top go-to’s are dips, deviled eggs, sausage balls, cheese plates (duh) and jalapeno poppers.

Tip#4 - Create a guest list

A guest list might also seem silly and obvious, however, it’s really important. First off, sending an invitation, no matter how formal or informal, is a thoughtful gesture that makes your guests feel special. Secondly, you’re able to get a good head count for how many people to expect at your party. You absolutely do not want to run out of food or booze because you didn’t plan accordingly. Make sure you have a good gauge for how many friends to expect and then add 2-3 people on top of that to make sure you are preparing enough food and drinks.

Tip#5 - Do as much as you can the night before

There is nothing worse than scrambling and rushing before your party. No one wants to be stressed and frazzled when their guests arrive! This is the biggest lesson I’ve learned - do as much as you can the night before your party. Do all the prep work, decorations, anything that can be done ahead of time. Give yourself ample time before the party starts. Your goal is to feel relaxed and organized once your guests arrive! The best way to achieve that is to make a list and accomplish everything you can the night before.

Sangria is a really great drink that you can make ahead of time that actually tastes better the longer it sits!

If you have any tips or tricks when it comes to holiday hosting, I would love to know!

Merry Christmas and happy hosting!!

xx,

CKS