Hosting: 5 Ways to get your home ready

You don’t have to be stressed this time! Here are ways to ensure your home is ready for hosting. This goes beyond food and drink, although those would be my top item listed! You want your home to be comfortable for guests, so when they come over, they feel at home. Since the Holidays are over, whether you hosted them or not, there are some fun events on the calendar.  Super Bowl is coming up! Also, what about having a girly Gal-entines night? Do you celebrate the Lunar New Year? Ramadan and St. Patrick’s Day will be here before you know it! So here we go…

1. FOOD and DRINK- First and foremost, this should be at the top of your list. What kind of food and drinks you choose can set the tone of the party. Is it casual or fancy? Business or pleasure? People tend to congregate around the food and the bar. Set up the bar/bar cart with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks depending on the party. If it’s a kid party, then different kid-friendly drinks are available. A water station for a large party is a MUST! Food is such a comfort and when people feel comfortable, they have a better time! Pro Tip: Don’t forget to offer or ask specifically about dietary restrictions. People close to me have some, and there have been plenty of parties they can’t eat much of anything and it’s always a bummer.
2. THEME. You know the event you’re hosting, so pick a theme to go with that event. If you know ahead of time, let your guests know so they can prepare for that theme. It’s so much more fun to have guests participate and come dressed for a garden party instead of showing up in jeans. Obviously if you’re hosting a casual party, dress won’t matter. IE: Football Party = jerseys and buffalo dip. Haha!
3. DECOR. Going along with the theme, decorations for your event are a must! A beautiful table scape is sure to have your guests impressed. I love a good table setting and center piece for a sit-down type meal event. A food table set with flowers and charcuterie, or fun banners and balloons. Whichever kind of party you’re throwing, decorations make it more enjoyable and pretty.
4. COMFORT. As I mentioned above, you want your guests to feel comfortable. If you don’t normally let guests wear shoes in your home, make sure that is known beforehand. Not everyone wears socks or is comfortable going around barefoot. Also, please make sure your home is tidy, and bathrooms are clean. When you go somewhere that is either overheated because the oven has been going all day, or freezing with the AC on in the winter, your guests will be uncomfortable. Comfortability will ensure a good party! 
5. HOSTING GIFT. Now this one is optional, but if you are attending an event or party at someone else’s home, it is always appreciated to bring the host a small gift. Whether that’s a bottle of wine (if they drink) or a little candle, your host will feel special that you thought of them. My mom always taught me not to go somewhere empty handed! 

Being a designer, my skills go beyond interior design, this is all part of the bigger picture. Having a put together home will help you feel complete and that’s what I’m here for! Hope you all had a great Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!