Party Prep Tips

I believe that hosting can be as big or as little of a job as we choose. I tend to take on too much and not allow much help but I do love a good rally and I'm always thankful when someone brings a bottle of red in to our home. It is never expected and only sometimes asked for but we really love to invite people in to our space and help all to feel just as comfortable as if they were at their own home. 

For Christmas we had a slew of friends and family come by. So good. I had big visions of planning ahead, having everything prepped and catching up on some Younger episodes on the day of. But life happens and Amos and I had a memorial service to attend that quite a distance away on the day of the party, so! I leaned in and asked for help and I was making pots of stew while friends were arriving. The last 20 before the party started was all hands on deck. The good news, when everyone is chipping in, that's fun too. It makes for fun memories, lots of laughter, a little chaos and the wine is earned. I cannot complain, and actually, I love when there are several of us wrapping things up.

Helping Hints:

1) Write down / Type out (notes) a full list of everything to do the M or T before your party. Even if it's to refill the toilet paper, it makes for less overthinking or skipping over something you really wanted to have complete.
2) If you're making food, prep as much as you can the evening before / the morning of. 
3) I'm constantly buying a backup box of crackers or cheese and keep it handy for filling in the gaps for my staple charcuterie boards. If you have a few go-to faves, it's not a bad idea to just buy an extra and have it handy... Especially if people often just pop in.
4) Drinks? Hit up your local Costco for the best deals and easy drinking. Their wine and liquor is available for purchase WITHOUT a membership.
5) Aim to have all food fully prepared for digging in 20 minutes before your formal start time. There will always be an early bird.
6) I clean the house the day before the party, that way I can just enjoy cooking and relax while I'm getting ready. If all of the mundane things are done there is so much more time to adjust little things around the home, take my time chopping the veggies and actually able to relax when people begin to arrive.
7) I tend to ask two close girlfriends to come a little bit early just so that they can help put some of the final pieces together if needed and also it's just fun to start early. :) 
8) Ladies, have your makeup and hair done long before your guests arrive, you can change your outfit five minutes before so that you're feeling fresh without stress.
9) Keep a few extra candles on deck so that it's feeling clean and cozy ... especially in that guest bathroom, no one wants to drop a doo-doo and not have a little fragrance to overwhelm, well, your situation. 
10) FRESH FLOWERS.. All of the fresh flowers + greenery. It makes everything feel clean and fresh and Trader Joes makes it SO easy. Stop by Whole Foods if you're really wanting the best greens or peonies... They're a nice touch and while not always noticed at the forefront, they just make the home feel well loved.

And last but not least, just love on all of the humans coming over.. whatever that may look like. I really try to have fresh sheets on the guest bed, a drink in hand as soon as they step in the door, a place for coats and purses, enough food for everyone to feel full and hopefully, just hopefully I get pictures taken. These are just a few things.. I'd love to hear what eases your party planning stresses! Tell me all of the things...