5 Hints for Effortless Get Togethers

Gathering and entertaining shouldn’t mean hours spent preparing for your guests. The best party is the one where you feel like you were able to spend time with your guests and not feel exhausted as they arrive. I keep these five hints top of mind every time we gather.

Keep the guest list to those you truly want to spend time with.

There's nothing worse than running into someone you haven't seen in a while and saying, oh we should get together.  Make those plans on the spot or keep the conversation light and non-committal.  Surround yourself with those you love.

Make the menu easy.

Don't have an interest in cooking dinner for 8 people?  Invite friends over for drinks and appetizers or better yet, invite people over for dessert on a weeknight.  This is your excuse to try out those yummy sweets you've seen at the local bakery but can't justify buying just for you!  And weeknight gatherings mean everyone goes home on the early side.

Embrace the season.

The farmer's market is at its height right now between produce and flowers.  Embrace what's fresh and readily available for delicious meal and table.

Not everything has to match.

For a recent engagement party we hosted, we had last minute additions to the guest list. My carefully coordinated napkin and plate plan went out the window! I did a quick survey of the linen closet and found some neutral napkins and mixed in some basic white plates. No one noticed a thing! 

Always pad the table

Naturally I am going to have a tablecloth on the table.  I have a stash of old tablecloths and canvas/linen drop cloths from the hardware store on hand to lay on the table first. The top tablecloth then goes on.  It acts like a pad and the top cloth is less likely to move around. It also protects the table underneath. I love these drop cloths from Lowes or any hardware store in a variety of sizes.  You can have the drop cloth go to the floor or sit just under the top table cloth. Experiment to change up the look of the table.