If your family is anything like my family, you love to host. My mom and I were always about having people over – but even for those who love to hosting, there are things that stress us out. Hosting is a big gift to the ones you invite over and you want it to be a great experience – on BOTH sides.
Here are some of my favorite hosting tips, gathered from my mother and our ever-read helper, Google:
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Always have snacks.
My mother used to set cheese and crackers on our kitchen island nearly every time someone would come over, and it’s one of my favorite hosting tips. Why? Because it gives guests something to munch on if they’re hungry and creates a place to gather, while giving the host time to finish cooking or setting the table if people arrive earlier than expected.
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Have the WiFi password and water handy.
This comes from all my travel experiences – when you have overnight guests, show them the space they will be staying. If they’ve travelled a long ways, they’ll probably want a few minutes to regroup. So here’s one of my personal favorite hosting tips: have water bottles and the WiFi password on the dresser or somewhere else easily seen. It’s a really simple thing, but every time it’s been done for me, I’ve felt very well-cared for.
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Have extra.
What does that mean? Grab an extra tube of toothpaste, an extra deodorant, an extra toothbrush and throw them in the linen closet before guests arrive. Just stock a few of the little things that guests might forget, that you can have stocked so no one has to run out in the snow in the evening for something small.
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Ask about allergies.
Especially if there are new people coming to dinner. One of the most important hosting tips is just being aware if there is anything particular that a family member or friend has to avoid, so that you can have something prepared or let them know ahead of time so that they can bring something to supplement the meal.
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Take a deep breath.
It can be hard sometimes to not rush around the day of the event. Try to schedule your day so that you have a few minutes to breath before all your guests arrive. Go for a quick walk or play a board game with your kids while the ham is in the oven. Just make sure that you haven’t forgotten that this time is for you too.
And with that, we’ll sign off. Enjoy the time with your family, and Merry Christmas from all of us at United Faith Mortgage. We hope you feel some extra love this season and get to enjoy all of the most important things – your family, your friends, and the gift that time is with them. God bless!
Best,
Audrey
The Christian Mortgage Mom
