Think back to your childhood holidays - there was something special about when grandma hosted, wasn't there? She didn't stress. Everything was delicious. Her home was filled with love. In today's world, those easy comforts are easily forgotten about. Instead, we feel such a pressure whenever we host.. but we shouldn't! This holiday season, we should take some advice from yesteryear.
There are some hosting hacks that our grandmother did that not only made things easier for them, but made all their guests feel welcome, cozy, and happy. You can do them, too. These six hosting tips still work like a charm. You'll be hosting like grandma, less stressed, and get to enjoy the holiday more.
- Set the table the night before. You're going to have a lot to do morning of. Gift yourself this by having it done from the night before. Take things one step further and put note cards to remind you where each serving dish will be.
- Serve a signature punch. If you haven't heard, punches are trending again! It evokes nostalgia. Plus, it allows you more time to mix and mingle; you'll already have the punch ready to be poured, meaning you won't need to spend time making drinks for your guests.
- Create personalized place cards. If you are planning to have everyone sit around the table together, this tiny detail will really make your guests feel welcome. It gives them something to take home with them, too!
- Fully stock the bathroom. You know you have to clean the bathroom, but don't forget to stock it with extra essentials. Make sure there's extra toilet paper that's easily accessible, hand towels for decoration and use, tissues, and hand lotion. You can also have a little basket with a sewing kit, stain remover, and bowl of mints to really help your guests be fully prepared.
- Decorate with a homemade centerpiece. It's easy to make a budget-friendly one. All you need to do is step outside and gather some seasonal foliage, fresh flowers, or fruits. Pair that with vases and candlesticks and you'll have a beautiful, homemade centerpiece.
- Relax with coffee and dessert. There's just something about the smell of roasted coffee at the end of a meal, isn't there? It's the perfect way to wind things down and take in the "everything is done" moments.
Source: Real Simple