My Top 3 Must Dos for being the Hostess with the Mostess

So the holidays are here. This week is Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year's Eve will be here before you know it! And even though this year has been crazy and different we'll still be hosting someone in our homes and I want hosting to become a beloved event for you! Not something you dread and have to muddle through. Inviting people into your home and showing them they're seen, loved and welcome is a HUGE thing in life! After all, don't we all want those things? To know someone in our lives sees us for who we are, loves us well and welcomes us into their homes and lives? That someone cares enough to share themselves with us, even for a few moments?

I think we all would answer "YES!" to that, even the most introverted among us.  Everyone desires to be loved and welcomed. And it's easy! At least easier than most people make it. Because you know what? No one really cares if you're house isn't perfect. They don't care if you have a tree in every room that's decorated with a different theme. They don't even care if your dishwasher is full or your floors are a tad dusty or the kids' toys are thrown about. Do you know most people won't even remember the color of your walls? Or if you have popcorn ceilings?

They just want to be seen and loved.  And shown they matter to you. You taking the time out of your day to welcome them is what's important.  

So relax! Put some music on! Get in your own groove and show your people you love them! Here are my top 3 things to do in order to be the HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTESS:

1 - Have a drink to offer when they arrive (and enjoy it with them). It doesn't have to be anything fancy, although it can be if you're into that. But have something to offer when they come in the door.  I try to have multiple offerings - beer and wine (red in the cooler months and white in the summer) as a back up and if we're having multiple folks over I also do a drink of the day.  You don't have to do that, certainly! I just really enjoy the act of making cocktails. So I try to do one drink for the event (plus it's super fun to have 1 or 2 drinks that make it super special). And I always, always have non-alcoholic offerings as well. I do try to know before they arrive if they'd rather enjoy an alcoholic beverage or not (I try never to put anyone on the defense or offend a guest!) and have something available on arrival. A drink in a hand always makes people relax and feel comfortable.

2 - Have some finger foods ready. Here's a fact I've found to be 100% true. People love to eat. I try to find out if they have any allergies or aversions to food and (obviously) avoid those but have something to offer upon arrival once drinks are in hand. I have found charcuterie is almost universally loved (even for those dairy-shy folks like myself). Charcuterie can come in all shapes and sizes. I put a varied board out with cheeses, nuts, fruit, sweets, spreads, crackers and chips. And charcuterie is great for anytime of the day. I've made boards for breakfast, brunch, dinner and late night. Everybody can find something yummy on a board, even those who avoid dairy or gluten.

A different snack I find almost everyone loves is tortilla chips with salsa, guacamole, cheese dips and any other concoction you can fathom. I make spinach dip, pico de gallo, bean dip, chorizo dip - you name it. Dips are easy, can usually be served hot or cold and feed a crowd. Plus they're no fuss and can be eaten while holding onto the said drink and chatting. 

Another fun fact - get your folks toasty beforehand and the food will taste better.  This is also 100% true. And why I try to serve Barry a pre-dinner drink everyday at our house! He thinks I'm a good cook but really I'm just a good bartender. 

3 - Be present with your guests. Don't fuss and fight with your spouse or kids before the guests get there (or try not to, at any rate). Don't worry if the last little tidying up didn't get finished. Truly no one cares. And if they do care they don't really care about you! (Just kidding, kind of.)

But really, don't stress about the small stuff! Nobody's gonna look in your fridge to make sure your mustard is not past the expiration date or your pantry to see if the labels line up alphabetically (this isn't Sleeping with the Enemy). So relax! Sit with your people. Talk with them. Love them well by listening and laughing with them (or crying, there's always a lot to be said for shared tears). Show them they're loved and welcome. Show them they matter.

And the dishes? Glasses? Napkins? All that can be dealt with after they leave. I mean, that's why we HAVE kids, right?? (Kidding, kidding)

So here's the deal. I wrote this because I have people say to me a lot that they just HATE hosting and having people in their home stresses them out. They don't know what to cook or how to have someone in. And hearing those things makes me really really sad. Welcoming people is just showing them you care about them. And listen, we all want to know someone cares. So open your doors. It's not hard. 

Pour a drink, slice the cheese, turn on some great music, laugh, cry, talk. Love. Love them well.

We all need it. Now more than ever.

Aliceson