The holidays are here! It’s a time for spreading cheer, indulging in treats and traditions, giving and receiving kindness, and hosting friends and family. Although holiday parties are one of the season’s highlights, it can also be one of the season’s stressors. We know a thing or two about hosting, and these are some of the best tips we have for welcoming loved ones with ease and excitement.
It’s the Little Things: At The Holladay House, we pay special attention to the small details and think this is the perfect way to welcome guests into your home. Lighting a candle your guests previously gave as a gift, creating a makeshift coffee bar with all of their favorites, or even leaving a small welcome note on their beds will make a warm and welcoming first impression.
All the Snacks: When hosting guests, always leave snacks and water bottles within reach. Sleeping with a decanter of water nearby can be a lifesaver, as is having something to snack on after traveling. At The Holladay House, we always have local wine and beer, as well as coffee, tea, and water ready for anyone, anytime, and as our guest reviews reveal, we also keep cookies and other snacks out, too.
Get Fancy: The holidays are the best time to be a little “extra” whether it be with your decorations, gestures of kindness, and your hosting. Don’t let your fine china sit inside a cabinet, use it. Break out the fancy glasses, good silverware (even if you do have to hand wash it), and take the extra steps to set a nice, proper, and festive table to serve your guests. We are particularly partial to getting the table all dressed up during our Thanksgiving feast!
Embrace Tradition: Whether it be decorating sugar cookies, having a holiday music karaoke contest, or volunteering at a local soup kitchen, doing this with your guests can show even more hospitality. Welcoming your guests into your own holiday traditions can make lasting memories and help reduce stress since embracing traditions can help you feel as though you have control over the holidays, rather than the holiday season controlling you.
Plan Ahead: All of the kitchen equipment, helping hands, and even the biggest budget in the world becomes meaningless without a plan. It’s never too early to set your menu, stock the pantry, wrap the gifts, and write the welcome notes. Do what you can ahead of time, and create a schedule that spans a few days before and after your hosting to ensure everything gets accomplished without any unnecessary complications. And while you’re planning ahead, make a back-up plan just in case.
Know Your Strengths: Maybe you’re a great baker, but not a great chef, no problem! Don’t over-commit to doing something you don’t enjoy and that you’re not good at. There are always hands and brands that want to help you out this time of year, so bake the cookies but order the Christmas Eve lasagna from your favorite local restaurant. Know your strengths and make your hosting plan around the things you’re best at so that you can be happier and more relaxed with your guests.
Our biggest tip for holiday hosting? Soak up the cherished time with friends and family as much as possible. Tell people you love them, hug a little tighter, and happily share your holidays together. We love hosting friends and families here, especially during the holidays. Let us know if you’re ready to book your stay and share your favorite tips for holiday hosting in the comments!
