Holiday Hosting 101: Tips for Stress-Free Gatherings

by SheSpeaksTeam

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Nov 30, 2023

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With the holiday season in full swing, you might find yourself thinking about hosting for the upcoming December holidays - dinners, brunches and other gatherings. And although hosting can sometimes feel daunting, with creativity and organization, you can pull off a holiday gathering that will leave your guests raving.

Keep reading to learn our five key tips for a fun, stress-free, winter holiday hosting experience.

1. Create a festive atmosphere
Holiday-ify the atmosphere of your home by decking the halls with twinkling lights, fragrant candles and seasonal decor. We love these string lights from Amazon for creating soft, cozy lighting!

Don’t forget the power of sound—create a playlist of your favorite holiday tunes. Combining sights, scents, and sounds can make your guests feel like they stepped into a holiday movie.

2. Plan a crowd-pleasing menu
Food is a highlight of any gathering. Take time to craft a menu that caters to a variety of tastes and diets. Combine traditional holiday dishes with modern twists, and try to choose dishes that you can prepare in advance to eliminate day of stress. A great menu ensures that your guests will leave your gathering full and satisfied.

3. Offer signature cocktails and mocktails
Along with creating a food menu, prepare festive drink options for your guests—both alcoholic and non-alcoholic! Consider making a signature cocktail to add a personal touch to your gathering, or build a DIY cocktail and mocktail station to let guests play mixologists and create their own custom drinks. We love this aesthetically pleasing mixology set from Amazon!

4. Create seating areas
Creating seating areas is a pro-level hosting move. Encourage conversation among guests by strategically arranging seating areas throughout your home. Whether you're hosting a formal dinner or a casual get-together, having a mix of seating options—from traditional dining chairs to laid-back lounge spots—ensures everyone can find a comfortable place to relax and enjoy the festivities.

5. Plan activities and entertainment
Finally, be sure to plan activities and entertainment for your guests to keep the energy high and the laughter flowing. Consider holiday-themed games or trivia, photo props, or traditional board games. Planning activities can help you ensure that your guests stay entertained and engaged throughout the entire celebration.

Are you hosting friends and family this holiday season? Let us know in the comments! And to help kick off your holiday hosting, you can enter below to WIN the mixology set and festive string lights mentioned above.

Holiday Hosting 101

Thanks to all who entered! Congrats to our winner SheSpeaks member Alexis01.