Joyful Entertaining

Entertaining and getting people together can bring so much fun into our lives! Potentially, it can also feel stressful but remember that people come to have a good time, not to judge.

Here are 3 steps to take before hosting to make sure both your guests and you are having a good time:

1.Tidy

Tidy well in advance and as mindfully as possible. Resist the urge to shove everything behind a closed door which will only create more work for you later on. 

If while tidying you come across an item you don't want anywhere in your home, put it in a box or a bag to be donated and keep moving. If items are misplaced, put them where they belong. Repeat as many times as needed and as time allows.

Remember to pay attention to two places that your visitors will all experience: the entrance and the bathroom.

Marie Kondo recommends we walk through our homes like we would see it for the first time before the guests arrive. Test it out!

2.Plan & Prepare

Plan who is coming, what is served, what kind of activities will people be engaged with, and where people will spend most of their time. 

Knowing all this will allow you to make a more detailed plan:

• What spaces need extra attention (outdoor spaces, living room, kitchen, etc.)?

  Allocate the time to give these spaces the extra attention they need and plan who is going to take care of this task.

  
  

• Do you need to rent, borrow, or acquire anything (chairs, a tent, extra glasses, etc.)? Allocate the time to get these.

  
  

• Do you need to hire anyone to cater or entertain your guests? Do you need to purchase a game, put together a playlist, etc.? Allocate the time to do these.

  
  

• Plan meals and drinks that work for your guest list. It is best to ask about dietary restrictions on your invite unless you know your guests well. Plan meals and drinks that you know how to make well, that can be prepared as much as possible in advance, and that don’t require you to stand by the stove all day stirring.

  
  

• Plan who is getting the groceries, when, and from where. Thank goodness for home delivery!

  
  

• Plan decorations, if any. This can be the fun part!

  
  

  However, please consider:

  
  

  •  What do you already have that you could use for this purpose? A plain tablecloth and napkins work in any setting. 

    
    

  • Acquiring decorations that can be composted, recycled, or returned after the party will save storage space and be easier on the planet.

    
    

    Using mini pumpkins and real flowers at the table. Crafting decorations from paper or making pom pom garlands out of wool yarn. Asking your mother-in-law to bring her special gravy boat so you don’t have to buy or store one.

As the date gets closer, you might want to re-evaluate if all your plans are still feasible or should they be simplified.

3.Enjoy

The time has come for your guests to arrive and for you to enjoy their company! 

Likely, everything won’t go the way you planned. That’s okay. Give yourself and others some slack. 

Be present and enjoy the company you invited over. Have fun!