The holiday season is all about joy, togetherness, and celebration. But let’s be honest—it can also be a little stressful, especially if you’re the one hosting. Whether you’re planning an intimate dinner with family or a lively party with friends, these tips will make hosting for the holidays a breeze!
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Hosting an event can be a rewarding experience, but it requires detailed planning and execution. Whether you're organizing a party, shower, holiday dinner, or just a casual get-together, it's important to ensure everything goes according to plan so that your guests have a great time, and *bonus* you come across as a hosting pro! To make this easier, we've outlined some tips to help you host your next event with confidence.
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Summer's wrapping up, and the back-to-school buzz is in full swing! As campuses come alive again, college freshmen everywhere are settling into dorm life and preparing for the next chapter of their lives. And for many, that chapter kicks off with one of the most anticipated events of the year—Sorority Bid Day!
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'Tis the season to be scary! Halloween is right around the corner, but it’s not too late to put together a killer party—with a few simple tips and ideas, you can throw a true graveyard smash. Keep reading for every trick and treat in the book to help you throw a frighteningly fun Halloween party!
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Summer is in full swing, and what better way to celebrate than with a party? While a cookout or a pool party is always an option, there's something about a warm summer night that really sets the tone for a soiree. If you're looking to impress your guests, you're in luck! We've picked out some of our favorite tips and tricks to help make your summer soiree a night to remember.
Hosting a baby shower is a big honor! It can also be a big responsibility, and the planning and prepping can seem intimidating. Don't worry bestie! We've got a breakdown of what you need to make sure you throw the best baby shower for the parents-to-be!
The season of love is amongst us! If you've got a special valentine this V-Day, we love that for you, but this one is for the Galentines. If you love your gal pals, a Galentine's Day adventure is essential. Leslie Knope would accept nothing less. Throwing a little get-together always works, but if you're looking to get a little creative for Galentine's Day, we've got some ideas that are Cupid approved!
Hosting a dinner party. It can sound like a daunting undertaking. While it can be daunting, it can also be a really fun way to spend the evening with your friends and family! A dinner party is essentially a fancier version of having people over for dinner. You dress a little nicer, you offer hor d'oeuvres with wine that maybe isn't from a box, and you bring out the good plates. There is quite a bit of planning involved in hosting a successful dinner party, though. If you don't cover your bases, the night could end with a burnt entrée and hungry, unhappy guests. It doesn't have to be stressful though! We've put together all the essentials you need to ensure a successful, fun dinner party that will keep your guests waiting for the next invitation.
We mean it. A dinner party isn't something you can throw together at the last minute. To host a true dinner party, you need a few weeks to get everything ready. The first thing you'll need to do is sort out the guest list. Obviously you know your space best, so you know how many people can comfortably fit in your home. If you really want to invite a lot of people, you could rent a tent for your backyard, or if the weather agrees just host the entire party outside! Just know that also means cooking for that many people, unless you pay someone to cater the food. You should give your guests at least two weeks notice once you decide who will be coming. That also gives you a chance to decide the theme, figure out the menu, and all the other fine details. Double and triple check your ingredients list the week of, and go to the store a day or two before the big event to gather everything you'll need. You should also write out a timeframe for how long/when whatever you're cooking will be ready so your guests aren't waiting an hour to eat. Don't forget about the “party” part either! Have a nice playlist ready to go, offer talking points or games, and give plenty of time for guests to enjoy themselves and the meal you've prepared.
Bestie, this is not the time to act like you're hosting a show on Food Network. Unless you make five-star dishes regularly or are a literal chef, stick to what you know you can cook well for your dinner party. Trying something new or extravagant will only add more stress to your already full plate! If you really want to try something new, do a few test runs with the recipe before you add it to the menu. Our advice? Stick with something simple that doesn't take too much of your direct attention. Roast chicken with vegetables or a nice pasta and salad combo can leave anyone impressed when they're done well! You'll likely have some before dinner cocktails and snacks and offer a dessert after, so you don't have to give your guests three different side choices with their entrée. We promise keeping it simple will save you time and stress, and everyone will be satisfied!
No matter how much you prepare, there's always the chance something can go wrong when you host an event. The good news is, you're likely only inviting people you know and like to your party! They'll understand if the food is a little late, and they don't expect your house to be magazine ready. Don't get so hung up on the details that you forget to enjoy your own party. You also don't have to do it all by yourself. If someone wants to help clean up, let them! If you don't have fine china and charger plates, you can still have a beautiful table with delicious food and good company. A few candles and a fresh bouquet from the grocery store can go a long way in setting the mood for your dinner.
Dinner parties don't have to be over the top! They just require a little more planning and likely a few more courses than a regular get together with your friends. How fancy the night is truly depends on you! If you follow these guidelines, though, a dinner party of any scale is sure to be a hit.
We know most of you know how to act at a party (at least we hope you do). However, we’ve all likely had a party experience that left us with secondhand embarrassment because of the way a party guest or a host acted.
It’s cold outside, but that doesn’t mean the party has to stop! Nothing heats things up like a cozy bonfire party. If you think there’s only one way to throw a bonfire party, we’re here to tell you you’re wrong (with peace and love, bestie). There are a number of ways to host a memorable bonfire party that will keep you and your guests nice and toasty. We’ve got some tips and tricks to help you get started!
