Subscribe to Homemaking Jewels today.
So, you haven’t entertained family and friends in your home since March 2020. Do you even remember how?
The guest list. The menu. The décor. The theme. It all feels a little daunting.
But it doesn’t have to be.
Start planning a couple weeks ahead. Decide on the theme, the guest list and the menu.
“Make sure you have a plan so when people arrive you can relax and enjoy the party too,” said Helena Wood. She is the owner of Mosaic Management and co-owner of Cured Creations, with Chef Jen McKenna.
Wood loves to entertain.
“Entertaining is something I find very enjoyable,” she said. “That’s how I show people I care.”
Entertaining on a budget
Wood often plans events for other people.
And it doesn’t have to cost a lot.
For instance, she found a table runner at a thrift store and bought a few little gourds at a roadside stand. She added some greenery and a few candles to create a beautiful table setting.
“It cost me under 10 or 12 dollars,” she said.
Wood takes advantage of 50 per cent off flowers at the grocery store and forages wildflowers in the summer.
“Ditch flowers, I call them. I always have a pair of clippers in my car.”
Have a plan
When it comes to planning the food and drinks, don’t be afraid to ask for help, she said.
“I love a good potluck,” Wood said. “It’s kind of fun to showcase some different things.”
And it’s OK for a host to say BYOB.
“Alcohol is expensive,” she said. “If people have a certain thing they want to drink, it’s nice on the guest’s part to bring that. And it’s also OK for a host to say that.”
When guests arrive, have some music on and the lights dimmed for ambience. Offer them a cold drink and finger foods, such as a charcuterie board with crackers, cheese and fruit to help them feel comfortable.
“When people arrive, they want a drink in their hand,” Wood said. “And have some snacks out right away.”
So, with the holiday season approaching, don’t be afraid to host an event. Follow your local Covid restrictions and just keep it simple and realistic.
“If it’s something that stresses you out, just do it in the most enjoyable way possible,” Wood said.
Thank you for subscribing to Homemaking Jewels.
