Memoirs of Ina Garten, Be prepared when luck happenscompletely changed my life. Ina’s outlook on life, interspersed with great dinner parties, good friends, and delicious food, inspired my 2025 New Year’s resolution to “host the ones I love once a month.” I had never hosted a dinner party before January, but I always decided to invite friends over for status updates, celebrations, and deep conversations over cocktails and cheeseboards. Every excuse to get off my phone and make real connections was the goal. As I end this year, I am so proud of the promise I made to myself. Since January, I’ve hosted about a dozen cozy gatherings. Prioritizing your offline community is a lot of fun, and we’ve compiled a bunch of dinner party hosting lessons for the holiday season.
Hosting season is often associated with Thanksgiving feasts and Christmas dinners, but the truth is, it can add extra pressure and anxiety. After all the gatherings in 2025, I’m happy to share that hosting once a month has changed my perspective on hosting holidays. Here are some dinner party hosting lessons I’m carrying with me into the last few months of the year.
Hosting is a practice
I tend to be a perfectionist, so I held back on hosting at first. My house isn’t big enough, I’m not a very good cook, and I thought my friends wouldn’t be interested in coming over anyway. Let’s talk about hosting anxiety. All three of these weren’t true, but this mindset can prevent you from trying anything new, including hosting. Gathering is a practice.
The first time I invited a friend over for dinner, I was very nervous. I was hoping everything would go smoothly, but I had to remind myself that this was my first time. Of course I was a little nervous! Over time, the nervousness disappeared and was replaced by excitement. It took a few dinner parties to relax.
The act of getting together regularly increased my confidence, eased my perfectionism, and deepened my sense of community. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving for the first time or the 100th, remember to meet yourself where you are.
It’s all about the guests
It’s not what’s on the table that matters, it’s who is around it. Social media can make it seem like hosting is all about how beautiful the tablescape is, how great the food is, and how fancy the cocktails are. I’ll be the first to admit that love The Aesthetic Part of Hosting – Setting the Table is My Job favorite. But we always do our best to take care of what matters most: our guests. Hosting is about getting together and connecting with the people you love. Create a get-together to keep you and your friends comfortable, happy, and well-fed.
I love having a welcome drink ready for guests as soon as they walk through the door. Set appetizers on the table before guests arrive and clearly mark where to put coats and shoes. Your mood as a host sets the tone, so be sure to take time to relax before your guests arrive. Sharing space (and food!) creates a connection that cannot be replicated on social media. Please enjoy it with your loved ones.
start small
Dinner parties don’t have to be big events. Keeping things small creates more intimacy and may be preferred, especially if you’re an introvert. Bigger may seem like better this holiday hosting season. There is so much to do, see and plan. However, if you’re a novice host, or perhaps you’re looking to slow down a bit, it’s okay to start small. All of my gatherings this year were 4-6 people at a time and they were perfect. But if you like large gatherings, give yourself permission to do so.
don’t be afraid to ask for help
Co-hosting has been a great gift to me this year. Setting out alone was a little scary, especially when I first started my hosting adventure. But planning a party with friends takes some of the pressure off. Plus, it can be even more fun. If you have an idea for a dinner party but don’t want to plan it yourself, consider asking a friend to co-host it. Not only will you have someone to bounce ideas off of, but you’ll also be able to split costs and workloads. The same goes for holiday hosting. Co-hosting a Friendsgiving or holiday gathering sounds like a lot of fun.
make use of what you have
I had a lot of fun building up my stockpile of hosting supplies this year. My platters and utensils are a mix of estate sale finds, heirlooms, and new items. While it’s tempting to go all out with themed dinners and decorations, it’s important to have a collection of key essentials. I live in a townhome with minimal storage space, so keeping things simple is cost effective and less stressful. If you have the budget and space for themed supplies (and it brings you joy!), give it a try. But I’ve found that using what I have, gatherings are simpler, easier to come together, and more cozy.
All in all, hosting really has no seasons. Gathering with loved ones, both offline and in person, can (and should!) happen year-round. Whether you’re inviting a few friends over for coffee or you’re ready to plan a five-course meal, consider this your sign to get together with friends and family.
Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
