Simple Hosting Essentials To Impress Without the Stress

With the holiday season approaching, there is excitement in the air, but that’s not the only feeling. If you’re planning on hosting a holiday or any event, it can feel overwhelming. You want to make sure that your event goes off without a hitch. Being prepared with your hosting essentials will ensure that you’re ready for your next party and beyond!

Key Hosting Essentials

Regardless of the holiday or party you're hosting, there are a few key items important to have on hand.   

• Serving Trays

Having a collection of serving trays makes life easier, and isn’t that the goal? When choosing your trays, create a collection of different materials to function in different ways. 

Wood trays bring warmth and beauty to everything from cheese boards to dessert displays. As you use them, they may scratch, but that becomes part of their rustic charm.

White (or neutral) platters are the perfect way to serve food. This was a tip I got from watching Barefoot Contessa. The neutral background doesn’t compete with the food on it. You can get white ceramic platters, and, for more casual events, grab these plastic platters seen in the picture below. They are amazing.

If you’re all about display, tiered serving stands are a great way to add height and visual interest to your presentation. They work best for appetizers and desserts.  

• Glassware

While I'm a sucker for all of those gorgeous types of glasses that make a cocktail insta worthy, they are not necessary and take up too much kitchen real estate. Focusing on versatile pieces that can multitask will keep you prepared for any hosting event.

Wine glasses work for wine, cocktails, water, and whatever else you want to serve. They come in materials ranging from crystal to regular glass. If you want less stress, don’t get crystal! Inexpensive glasses take the sting out of any that get accidentally dropped.

A few statement pieces like a gorgeous pitcher for water or prebatched cocktails can add elegance while also having functionality. 

• Serverware

Tongs are essential if you host buffet style. They make serving food to many easier because it allows for a quick grab and move on. 

Large spoons and forks also assist in making your buffet line move smoothly. 

• Take Out Containers

Maybe this isn’t a hosting essential, unless you love to go the extra mile. When I host a holiday, I love to send family home with the extra food, so they can enjoy it the next day. Inexpensive take out containers make it easier. No one has to worry about getting containers back.

Hosting Tip: Prepare Early

Don’t wait until the last minute to plan. You don’t need that kind of stress!

Staying organized and having a plan will make your event more enjoyable and will help to eliminate any issues that can arise.

Start with your Guest List and Menu

Three to four weeks before: Finalize your guest list and plan your menu.

Find out who will be attending your dinner. Knowing the size of your party helps determine what to make. 

If it’s a small party, it’s easier to showcase your cooking talents while larger parties are better suited for buffet style, make-in-bulk type meals.

No matter what you choose, determine the menu, then create your grocery list. First, go through your cabinets and figure out what you have. 

Don’t forget beverages, appetizers, and dessert when planning! 

Check Your Inventory 

Two weeks before: take inventory.

Take inventory of your serving pieces, linens, and any equipment you may need to make an unforgettable experience for you and your guests.

Need an extra crockpot? You don’t have to buy it. Borrow from someone.

You should also take inventory and purchase any non-perishables and beverages to alleviate stress the week of the event.

Don’t forget to include things like plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and garbage bags. 

The Week of Hosting Your Event

Seven days before your event, take on daily tasks so that you aren’t overwhelmed. Here is a suggested schedule.

• 7 days before: Clean your entertaining spaces and, if needed, clean your platters, glasses, and servingware. 
• 6 days before: Create a schedule of when you want your food served and work backwards on determining when any items need to go into the oven or on the stove.
• 5-4 days before: If there is anything that can be made and frozen, it’s a perfect time to do this. Create a music playlist.
• 3 days before: Send out a reminder to your guests sharing that you’re looking forward to seeing them.
• 2 days before: Finish your shopping with all fresh ingredients. Take any frozen items and put them in the refrigerator. 
• 1 day before: Make any dips and marinades that you can. Take the time to cut any vegetables and herbs that you can. Basically, prep foods that you can. Set up your drink station and set tables if appropriate.
• Day of your event: Get any food preparation done that you can early enough to set off the dishwasher early if possible. Using your cooking schedule that you made 6 days ago, start cooking!

How to Make Hosting Easier 

Embrace any shortcuts that don’t hinder the quality of your event but make life easier. 

There is absolutely no shame in getting pre-made foods such as appetizers and baked goods. You can make it your own by how you present it, and your guests will still love being with you.

{Related Post: How to Make a Charcuterie Board)

When your guests offer, take them up on it! If they ask what they can bring, tell them! When you assign something specific, like a cake or an appetizer, you then know what you don’t have to worry about.

Accept that things can still happen. There is perfection in imperfection. While you may try your best to make your dinner party go perfectly, things will happen. In the bigger picture, it doesn’t matter. Your guests want to be together more than anything else.

The Holiday Hosting Success Formula

Quality essentials + early preparation = stress-free entertaining

By investing in versatile, quality serving pieces, you already are halfway there! You are ready for every event because these pieces can be used for every event you host.

Planning ahead means that you aren’t rushing at the last minute, and let’s be honest, that’s when mistakes are more likely to happen.

Most importantly, plan on including yourself into your dinner! You want to be part of the action and the memories. That’s why everyone is coming to spend the day with you!

If you're looking for a more detailed breakdown of how to host a dinner party, I've written a comprehensive guide that you can find here.