As a teenager, I was ecstatic about the thought of moving out of my parents’ house, getting my own space, and being able to host my friends and family in my very own space. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably felt the same way at one point or another.
But then reality sets in…
You get your own space, and you realize how intimidating it can be to host; your space is too small, you don’t have the time to adequately prepare (that’s the perfectionist in me talking), and you don’t have the money.
The list of reasons is endless. If this sounds like you, you’ve reached the right place! I’m here to encourage you to host, be it big or small, and show you that it is possible for anyone, regardless of the size of your space, your finances, your free time, or anything else.
My mom is the embodiment of a good hostess and she is the one who taught me everything I know (thanks mom!). Growing up, she always told me:
“If you don’t host when your space is small, you’ll never host when your space is big.”
I encourage you to keep this in mind as you embark on your hosting journey. As cliche as it may sound, hosting is really all about mindset and being willing to start with whatever your means are at this time will go a long way.
So let’s dive into what my experience has shown to be the essential guidelines for hosting that will give you a great start!
An Offering: Simple Food Ideas for Hosting in a Small Space
Firstly, an offering. Having something to offer your guests is essential. However, this does not mean you have to be a world class chef or a seasoned mixologist. Assess your strengths in the kitchen and make something that suits those strengths.
If you are new to hosting and intimidated by the thought of making something for other people, I totally understand! That being said, I would highly encourage you to opt for something homemade as opposed to store bought.
Making something homemade sends a welcoming message to your guests, showing that you put time and effort into making their time in your space comfortable and enjoyable.
An Activity: Fun Apartment Hosting Ideas to Keep Guests Engaged
Secondly, an activity. Preparing something for your guests to do gives your guests something to look forward to and gives everyone something to enjoy when the conversation runs dry. In fact, an activity will likely revive those dry and repetitive conversations.
Again, you don’t have to be a professional party planner to execute a fun activity for your guests. It could be a fun card game, a craft, or some prepared questions to get the conversation flowing.
If your guests are a tight group of your closest friends and you know the conversation won’t run dry, I would still encourage you to consider planning something fun! It gives a little bit of change to your regular conversations and leaves a fun memory to think upon.
Creating Good Memories: How to Be a Thoughtful Host Anywhere
You want to ensure good memories for your guests; the culmination of the other two components. Although I am all about brainstorming for you and giving you all the ideas to make your next party effortless and high quality, don’t be afraid to make it your own!
Everyone has their own niche that they are known for, whether you recognize it or not. So take a moment to assess a fun component of your hosting style, maybe a signature scent from your favorite candle, or a staple drink that you always make and is a crowd favorite, and maximize it! Your guests will remember you for it, trust me.
As cliche as it sounds, it really is all about intentionality. Your guests won’t remember the size of your space, or the amount of money you spent on the grocery items, or even how messy or clean your kitchen was. But they will remember the thought of being cared for, being invited, being welcomed into your home, and having someone waiting for them.
Troubleshooting: What If Things Don’t Go As Planned?
“But what do I do if I run into problems x, y, or z?”
If you’re new to hosting, this fear is completely understandable. My advice to you would be to determine what you can handle and go from there.
Don’t set yourself up for failure by overcompensating and planning for something that is more than you can handle.
If you only have time to prepare light bites and drinks, then don’t invite your guests over for dinner, invite them for a game night instead! If you’re nervous about meshing two different friend groups, then start by inviting each group separately! If you’re worried about being able to afford extra groceries for a large group of people, then stick to drinks only!
Manage your stress by only taking on what you are confident you can handle. As you get more comfortable hosting, get a higher paying job, obtain more experience in the kitchen, you will be able to elevate and expand your parties! In the meantime, it’s important to just start with whatever your means are at this time.
The Most Important Rule: Be Present
I would say that the most important thing is to be present.
Don’t plan such a large meal that you are still running around the kitchen as your guests are already arriving. Don’t put so much on your plate that your guests can feel the stress radiating from your skin.
Spending intentional time with your guests is the most important thing. So if something is unfinished, leave it! Instead, welcome your guests at the door, offer them whatever you have time to finish, and forget about the rest. The feeling of being cared for is going to leave a positive impact, whereas a stressful host will leave a negative one.
A stressed out host is not worth whatever thing you’re rushing to finish.
Conclusion:
So remember, whatever you currently have is enough to get started!
You will grow stronger and more confident in your hosting abilities the more you practice. So start small and go from there. Don’t fall into the false belief that you will start hosting once you have more space, more money, more time, etc. Hosting is a muscle that needs to be exercised.
Start small, but start now. And use my blog as a resource for all the tips, tricks, and ideas you could need!
HostedByLizz
