Since living in a hotel for, ahem, 4 1/2 months, hosting has gone a bit by the wayside. But, my passion for doing so hasn’t. So in the absence of actually hosting cocktail parties and bbq’s and intimate dinner parties al fresco, I decided to bring you my six hosting essentials curated by yours truly. I would say that 95% of the parties and dinners I host, I am equipped with all 6 of these goodies!
1. I use these slate cheeseboards from Crate & Barrel for so many things. For a cheese board, of course. I lean them and use them as welcome signs chalking the guest of honors name, for example. I use them as a serving tray for all kinds of food. They are versatile and worth getting!
2. A welcome cocktail. If you aren’t in the mood to be creative or you don’t have time to bring out your inner mixologist, just go back to basics. Serve a glass of champagne or prosecco to get people in the mood. Done and done!
3. Cute cloth napkins. These are from Anthropologie and I love them as they are modern french, reusable and neutral.
4. Fresh flowers in the guest bathroom. This example is perfect as it literally is 3 stems in small vase set right on the sink. Perfect. You could use a vase or a mason jar or a candle holder that no longer has a candle in it. And just go to your local grocery store or florist and spend $10 or less on some flowers. Easy, beautiful and cheap!
5. A few candles to enhance the ambiance. I usually light a candle in the bathroom and have 1-2 more in the living/dining space depending on the theme and party type. This Voluspa candle from Anthropologie is my favorite. Like I love it to pieces. The smell is bold and floral and fresh. I usually light this particular one in the bathroom as it’s pretty fragrant and you don’t want to compete with the smell of food in your living/dining/kitchen area.
6. Something sweet. I have a sweet tooth. I love chocolate and ice cream and cupcakes and brownies and cake and I believe that a party isn’t a party unless something sweet is served. And when push comes to shove, skip the baking and go to the store or a local bakery and pick up something. You don’t need to be the hero and unless you are Martha Stewart, spending a few bucks at a bakery or cupcake shop will result in a far prettier dessert, yes?!
