6 Tips for Entertaining Family and Friends
Do you sometimes hesitate to invite your friends and family over to your home? Then you are not alone! The pressure to have a perfect home or to throw an immaculate Christmas dinner will always be there, but you don’t need to set yourself unrealistic expectations that are impossible to meet.
Even Sebastien and Sheila Centner, a married couple and owners of a leading event management and catering company, Eatertainment, admit that entertaining is a skill that needs practice. “A lot of people are nervous when it comes to entertainment and we’ve all wondered if we’re being a good host,” he explains, adding that social distancing during the pandemic has made us all feel out of our element, now , as we can come together more safely .
The good news is that welcoming guests again doesn’t have to be stressful, especially if you follow these expert tips.
1) Don’t sweat the little things
Whether you’re hosting a lavish holiday dinner party or an impromptu board game and take-out evening, being a good host is all in your attitude.
“I’ve always encouraged people to have a good time because your guests will always turn their backs on you,” he says. “If you’re relaxed and serene, your guests will benefit from that energy.”
Remember, entertainment is about connecting with people you care about. Enjoying each other’s company should be at the heart of every encounter.
See also: How to Make a Gold Tumbler and Glasses for Your Next Party
2) Simplify your menu
You don’t have to cook like a Food Network Canada star to treat your friends and family to a special dinner. “Set yourself up for success with a simple menu,” suggests Shelia. “When you have a large group of people, prepare dishes that you have prepared a hundred times before. Turn to simple recipes that you know how to cook well.”
And if you’re not the most confident chef at home, you can always grab something from a nearby restaurant or contact a local catering company. No judgment here!
Related: This DIY Grateful Tree is the new Thanksgiving tradition we need this year
3) Ask for help
Never be nervous when asking your guest for help. In fact, the experts encourage it! “Be willing to say yes when someone asks you for help,” says Shelia. “It makes everyone feel more comfortable.”
Give guests the opportunity to help out with simple tasks like tossing salad, lighting candles, or uncorking the bottle of wine for the evening. After all, who doesn’t like to feel supported and valued?
4) Don’t hesitate
Avoid procrastinating until the last minute while preparing for the conversation. You will feel stressed when you go shopping, setting your table and preparing flower arrangements on the same day of your party. “Make sure the closets are free for your guests’ belongings and that the dishwasher and trash cans are empty for post-party cleaning,” says Shelia, adding that this is a step often overlooked when entertaining becomes. Another way to relieve stress is to deep clean your accommodation a few days in advance.
5) Set up DIY drink stations
DIY drink stations are a hit at any gathering, suggests Sebastien. “It’s something you can easily prepare ahead of time, and it’s a fun activity for guests to do while they mingle,” he adds. Be-Your-Own Bartender stations are a fun way to incorporate the theme of a celebration, and everyone loves to add fresh fruit and a variety of herbs and accompaniments to their drinks. You can decorate everything with drink dispensers or even lay out a recipe card detailing the steps to create a unique drink of the night. We love kicking off the cozy season with the fall-inspired cider Moscow Mule. Of course, be sure to add a variety of tonic waters and fruit juices for non-alcoholic drinks as well. Read more genius tips for entertaining on a budget.
6) Leftover gifts
After a long meal with friends and family, leftovers are guaranteed. “There’s nothing quite like serving your guests a great take-out meal and leaving them with lunch the next day or dinner the next night,” says Shelia. Always keep some inexpensive Tupperware or eco-friendly take-away boxes handy so you don’t have to worry about gifting your favorite grocery containers.
For more ways to be a better host, check out Sebastien and Sheila Centner’s first book, Eatertainment: Recipes and Ideas for Effortless Entertaining, where they share decades of experience making entertaining at home as easy as possible.
Feature image courtesy of Bruce Gibson. Additional photos courtesy of Getty Images.