I will start this off by saying that I love hosting. It makes me so happy to see people coming together in my home and having a good time. That being said, hosting is work and can be stressful. I’m going to share a few tips that I have learned over the years that take the stress out of hosting so that you can actually enjoy yourself.
What to cook
A couple of days before your event, plan your menu and make your shopping list. If there is anything that you can buy in advance, do it. Do not leave your big shop for the day of, your day will be filled, so take out that big trip to the grocery store. When thinking about what to cook, there are a few things to consider- what can I prepare in advance, what ingredients are readily available at my grocery store, what is in season, and what will keep warm if people are late. When it comes to shopping always buy more than you need. From my experience, you will end up with more guests than you initially planned for and the last thing that you want is to have people sitting around the table hungry after dinner.
This is not the time to experiment with a new recipe. Instead, opt for something that you have made before that you know will be delicious. Don’t worry about being overly fancy, when people are coming to your home, they are not expecting a Michelin star experience, cook within your comfort zone.
Once your menu is defined, make yourself a schedule with cook times. This is crucial! You may find that you have items that need to go in the oven at the same time at different temperatures, or that you have planned to put too many things in your apartment size oven (I learned this the hard way hosting my first thanksgiving). Having a schedule will allow you to make a plan of attack so you can feel organized day of. Plan to have everything ready 20 minutes before your guests arrive. When people arrive, you want to be able to greet them and offer them a drink, you do not want to be running to the door with a turkey in your arms. Cover everything, set your oven on the lowest temp, and enjoy welcoming your guests.
Here are some recipes that are tried and true staples in our house:
The easiest roast chicken – https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/chicken/perfect-roast-chicken/
A simple side – https://www.lifesambrosia.com/dill-green-beans/
The best chocolate cake – https://barefootcontessa.com/recipes/beattys-chocolate-cake
Preparing your home
The week of your event, make a plan to prep your house. Do not leave your cleaning to the day of your dinner. I also suggest breaking up your cleaning; maybe you vacuum one day, mop the next, bathrooms after that. Remember, you want hosting to be enjoyable, not stressful, so don’t tire yourself out with cleaning.
Creating a table scape can be a lot of fun, if you are short on ideas, go on pinterest. This does not have to be expensive, your local thrift store is a treasure trove for unique service dishes, candle sticks and vases. Get creative and have fun with it! Set your table a day or two before your dinner. You want to take your time setting your table, so do it ahead of time.
What to wear
The most important thing when choosing what to wear is that you are comfortable. You will be cooking and serving, make sure that you can move around and you chose something that you feel good in. I usually opt for a maxi dress, its comfortable and long enough that I don’t have to worry.
Here’s a great affordable option: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B0CZ91LR76?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Pair this with a cardigan or a jean jacket and you’re good to go!
How to Enjoy
My biggest tip in hosting is to plan and prepare. If there is anything that you can do in advance, do it. Don’t worry about everything being perfect, or over the top. At the end of the day, it is all about good food and good company.
