I push water because invariably people (including myself) tend to overindulge. For a cocktail party or non-sit-down party, we will put out glasses and a vintage glass water dispenser wherever people are gathering so people don't have to go into the kitchen to hydrate. We also put out sparkling waters, topos, anything to help with the hydration mission!
Our extended and blended family has relatives all over the country so for the grown kids and their families we started having a drop-in all-day buffet gathering sometime in the days after each major holiday. No pressure, no set time, no need to bring anything. Whenever they arrived, we set out finger foods, sandwich fixings, dips, shrimp cocktail, desserts and had drinks in the coolers. This way we can accommodate all dietary issues, everyone can relax, and it's just a time to enjoy being together.
Love the bumper sticker! I have a one year old which makes hosting gatherings a little tricky right now but our most successful party to date was a salsa party. My partner and I made a couple different types of salsa and a big bowl of guacamole and asked guests to bring whatever they wanted to dip. We had a fun selection of chips and other snacky items, it was incredibly relaxed, and (best part) it took place in the afternoon. Dinner time is not ideal for a long conversation these days.
I would LOVE a bumper sticker! I had one from you years ago that has long since faded away, and I always got so many comments about it.
My favorite trick for having people over is fairly basic, but it's serving something I can make the day before. This makes it easy to host on a weeknight, which I actually prefer to weekend hosting. As an introvert, I need my weekends to recover from the school and work week! Also-- candles and lamp-lighting are a must. Team No Overhead Lights Forever!
Winning combo - grill with meats, fresh veg or salad, and a good tequila for sipping. Don't worry about last-minute invites; just do the inviting. And have a pack of good sausages in the fridge just in case everyone is a bit hungrier or more people accept the last-minute invite.
I remember going through a particularly hard time and went to a friend's for dinner and she greeted at the door on a lovely June evening with a bountiful g&t in a spectacular glass and it was a moment of receiving exactly what you didn't know you wanted or needed without asking for it. it was generous and abundant and that moment was so hospitable in the best sense of community. it endeared me all the more to her and all the more to just intuitively giving your guests what you think they need and not to be so polite as to ask but to just know.
Develop a random theme that makes people smile and send out an invite. People want something fun and out of the ordinary to look forward to without having to stress - so this always does the trick!
Wow, the butter-to-pancake ratio looks perfect in that photo. As for having people over, I love having a homemade dessert to offer but hate the idea of last-minute baking/putting it together. Just last month I made and froze Ina Garten's strawberry country cake a week before guests came over. The night before, I thawed the cake, and the morning of, I sliced it in half and stuffed it with whipped cream. So easy.
Upon arrival at a friend's house one summer, my sister was greeted at the door with an icy glass of white wine with a wedge of orange perched on the rim. It was unexpected and a treat. At Christmas we greeted our friends at the door with a tray of Christmas drinks. It's easy to prep and your friends feel spoiled.
Mine is not really a trick but more of an observation—when you put out a few snacks but not overboard and same with the meal, just conservative amounts of food not crazy amounts, I feel like it’s more appealing, appetizing and puts people at ease. I think it’s overwhelming when there’s enormous amounts of apps and food and dessert…? Just a dab will do ya, or less is more…I guess that’s my trick!
I love putting together charcuterie boards, and they're always a hit. Shopping for them is half the fun - Aldi or TJ's. And while I have mainstays (manchego cheese, salami) it's fun to add in things like special cashews or exotic dried fruits.
Baltimore rowhomer here — when the weather gets nice, we invite the block over for come-as-you-are drinks on the porch, which inevitably spills over on to the neighboring porches. We make one drink that can be made alcoholic or not, so the kiddies can come too. Batched Pimm’s were a big hit last summer!
Love to have the sticker! My 'hack'?? I stop what I am doing as Every. Single. Person. arrives and give them an undivided- attention -love- in- the- eye, sincere smile, strong hug and warm 'I am SO glad you here!' Those few welcoming moments, given individually, lends whatever happens later to be cast in a fairy light warm glow - is there anything better than being wanted, needed, celebrated?
My having people over trick is not groundbreaking. I just make everything, or as much as I can, the day before along with setting the table. It makes the day of hosting less stressful.
hmmm . . . my best hack is to just have one special cocktail along with wine and beer to keep things simple and so that you aren't tied up making to-order cocktails when you have other things to do! I also like to keep the munchies really simple like a good potato chip, sweet pickles, an aged cheese.
I push water because invariably people (including myself) tend to overindulge. For a cocktail party or non-sit-down party, we will put out glasses and a vintage glass water dispenser wherever people are gathering so people don't have to go into the kitchen to hydrate. We also put out sparkling waters, topos, anything to help with the hydration mission!
Our extended and blended family has relatives all over the country so for the grown kids and their families we started having a drop-in all-day buffet gathering sometime in the days after each major holiday. No pressure, no set time, no need to bring anything. Whenever they arrived, we set out finger foods, sandwich fixings, dips, shrimp cocktail, desserts and had drinks in the coolers. This way we can accommodate all dietary issues, everyone can relax, and it's just a time to enjoy being together.
Love the bumper sticker! I have a one year old which makes hosting gatherings a little tricky right now but our most successful party to date was a salsa party. My partner and I made a couple different types of salsa and a big bowl of guacamole and asked guests to bring whatever they wanted to dip. We had a fun selection of chips and other snacky items, it was incredibly relaxed, and (best part) it took place in the afternoon. Dinner time is not ideal for a long conversation these days.
I would LOVE a bumper sticker! I had one from you years ago that has long since faded away, and I always got so many comments about it.
My favorite trick for having people over is fairly basic, but it's serving something I can make the day before. This makes it easy to host on a weeknight, which I actually prefer to weekend hosting. As an introvert, I need my weekends to recover from the school and work week! Also-- candles and lamp-lighting are a must. Team No Overhead Lights Forever!
Winning combo - grill with meats, fresh veg or salad, and a good tequila for sipping. Don't worry about last-minute invites; just do the inviting. And have a pack of good sausages in the fridge just in case everyone is a bit hungrier or more people accept the last-minute invite.
I remember going through a particularly hard time and went to a friend's for dinner and she greeted at the door on a lovely June evening with a bountiful g&t in a spectacular glass and it was a moment of receiving exactly what you didn't know you wanted or needed without asking for it. it was generous and abundant and that moment was so hospitable in the best sense of community. it endeared me all the more to her and all the more to just intuitively giving your guests what you think they need and not to be so polite as to ask but to just know.
Develop a random theme that makes people smile and send out an invite. People want something fun and out of the ordinary to look forward to without having to stress - so this always does the trick!
Wow, the butter-to-pancake ratio looks perfect in that photo. As for having people over, I love having a homemade dessert to offer but hate the idea of last-minute baking/putting it together. Just last month I made and froze Ina Garten's strawberry country cake a week before guests came over. The night before, I thawed the cake, and the morning of, I sliced it in half and stuffed it with whipped cream. So easy.
Upon arrival at a friend's house one summer, my sister was greeted at the door with an icy glass of white wine with a wedge of orange perched on the rim. It was unexpected and a treat. At Christmas we greeted our friends at the door with a tray of Christmas drinks. It's easy to prep and your friends feel spoiled.
Mine is not really a trick but more of an observation—when you put out a few snacks but not overboard and same with the meal, just conservative amounts of food not crazy amounts, I feel like it’s more appealing, appetizing and puts people at ease. I think it’s overwhelming when there’s enormous amounts of apps and food and dessert…? Just a dab will do ya, or less is more…I guess that’s my trick!
I love putting together charcuterie boards, and they're always a hit. Shopping for them is half the fun - Aldi or TJ's. And while I have mainstays (manchego cheese, salami) it's fun to add in things like special cashews or exotic dried fruits.
Baltimore rowhomer here — when the weather gets nice, we invite the block over for come-as-you-are drinks on the porch, which inevitably spills over on to the neighboring porches. We make one drink that can be made alcoholic or not, so the kiddies can come too. Batched Pimm’s were a big hit last summer!
Love to have the sticker! My 'hack'?? I stop what I am doing as Every. Single. Person. arrives and give them an undivided- attention -love- in- the- eye, sincere smile, strong hug and warm 'I am SO glad you here!' Those few welcoming moments, given individually, lends whatever happens later to be cast in a fairy light warm glow - is there anything better than being wanted, needed, celebrated?
I love this!
Batch salad dressing in serving sized glass jars.
My having people over trick is not groundbreaking. I just make everything, or as much as I can, the day before along with setting the table. It makes the day of hosting less stressful.
this is my "hack" too :) It's the only way I can relax and enjoy the guests!
hmmm . . . my best hack is to just have one special cocktail along with wine and beer to keep things simple and so that you aren't tied up making to-order cocktails when you have other things to do! I also like to keep the munchies really simple like a good potato chip, sweet pickles, an aged cheese.