Hosting at Home Tips & Tools

LIFESTYLE

Jan 29

Hosting at home is all about knowing your audience. Is it mostly kids? Is this a grown-up vibe with kids in tow? Is it grown-ups only? What time of the day is this shindig going down? Is there something to celebrate? I personally love the Soiree-style party. A Soiree is French for an evening party …one that is typically hosted at someone’s home. In this setting, the mood is casual and all around just enjoying the company of others. If kids are involved, I consider it an early-evening event so parents with little ones can get home at a decent hour. …and those without kids that are night owls can stack a second outing after the soiree raps up!

The whole idea is knowing the season, knowing the occasion or intention, and knowing your audience. I recently hosted an engagement party for a dear friend of mine. We picked 3:00-6:00 for the time to accommodate the daylight, kids in tow, and allow the evening to end at a decent hour. Clearly, we’re not night owls over here. This also allowed for the menu options to be paired down to a more appetizer and side dish selection (work smarter, not harder).

Regardless of the hour or menu, having the right mindset, mood, and tools is key. So I’m sharing the goods I used for last weekend’s Soiree.

**BOARDS BOARDS BOARDS**

I live in a family of builders. My favorite pieces of marble slabs are the scraps from their counter subcontractor. I’ve been collecting vintage cutting boards from antique stores, thrift stores, and of course, my grandmother! These are great to have on hand for appetizers, charcuterie boards, etc. I’ve seen reproductions and marble platters all over …from World Market, Crate and Barrel, etc.

**PRACTICAL, BUT PRETTY**

Sometimes, you have to be practical. Things need to stay warm. These chaffing dishes are my favorite. They’re definitely pretty …and from Amazon. I love the round versions because it’s easy to serve soups or any other foods you need to keep warm.

**FOR THE LITTLE ONES**

Okay, I think I love a good s’more more than my kids. For parties, roasting marshmallows or making smores is always a fun activity to do with the kids. Even better if the kids can, age appropriately, do this on their own while the grown-ups mingle.

I, however, will be joining the kids. We’ve got these skewers that we use ALL THE TIME. They stretch long enough that those smaller little humans don’t have to bump up too close to the fire.

**DOUBLE PITCHERS**

I believe in double pitchers! Why? Because I may have had a spiked lemonade served at a party and the “*grown-ups only*” label somehow got removed and well, let’s just say one of my kids may or may not have test tested the wrong drink.

Double pitchers are cool because you can serve the same drink, a cocktail and a mocktail version. You can serve two separate drinks with opposite flavor profiles. You can serve coffee and fruit-infused water.

…it’s just fun to have drinks as a pair. I have a vintage set from a family member that I adore and use at EVERY party. They’re very similar to these. Might I suggest a label for your cocktails? This set actually comes with a cute little chalkboard around the neck of the pitcher.

**TABLE TOP GAMES**

I always love having table top games sprinkled out on tables both indoors and outdoors when it’s time to host. This is great for little ones that need an activity or grown-ups that enjoy a good game.

We’ve got games like connect four, checkers, out and about (*I’ve got a whole Amazon shop of games for the little ones*). We’ve got a deck of cards called “Conversation Starters.” …love the conversation starters!

This Etsy Shop has some really amazing oversized outdoor games too like jumbo Jenga, etc.

**TAKE OUT BOXES**

This is perhaps an underestimated item for parties and holidays. My sister and I run a local coffee shop in our small town, so we’ve always got them on hand. We prefer the eco-friendly ones for the coffee shop and use World Centric, but these from Amazon are our backup and are fantastic.

To-go boxes are fantastic for reasons that simply don’t need much of an explanation! …we take them to Thanksgiving too. I will always be prepared to accept and give leftovers.

My hosting style is very much an “all are welcome, make yourself at home” kind of vibe. I’m not too big on games or themes, but more on connection, conversations, and just a good time. …and the items I’ve got listed here are the items I use just about every gathering.

PS TIP:

If there’s a little one around the age of 10, give or take, give them your phone or even better, a polaroid and give them the task of taking photos. They’ll love the ice-breaker job of going around taking photos. …and it’s always great to capture and document the gathering from a childlike, candid perspective.

A QUICK NOTE.
I love to share. …words and house favorites and stories. This post may contain some of my favorite things - some of those things may contain affiliate links. This just means that if you end up purchasing anything through me, I might receive a little kick-back.

What I share is very intentional and only items I’ve allowed to enter my own home - tried and true. If it’s a reference to a vintage or antique item, I try to find the best production I can find.