I love hosting family for the holidays because it is a time when we all have time to spend dedicated time together, which can be hard when we’re all so busy. You all know I love to decorate and make people feel welcome if they are spending time in my home and Thanksgiving in particular is a time when everyone should feel comfortable and full of food, of course! Hosting can foster deep connections and create lasting memories and you want to ensure you have all the essentials to help the day run smoothly. I wanted to give you some tips and must-haves that have helped me make meaningful connections with the people I love and let me focus on staying present in the moments that matter most.
Preparing for a Heartfelt Gathering
Creating a welcoming environment is important so that people feel comfortable in your space. Utilizing simple decor, you can set a warm and inviting tone. Use cozy lighting and personal touches like framed family photos or a handwritten welcome note!
It’s also a good idea to send an invitation! This can be paper, or more likely these days, a digital invitation. I love to use Canva to make quick notes that look great and get people excited for the day. Text it or email it so all those coming hear from you personally. Include a message about why the gathering means so much to you for an extra layer!
Planning With Purpose
Keeping the menu family-friendly and comforting is the way to go! You want to make sure everyone who is there has something to dig into. You can find some fun fall ideas for recipes here that I’ve found are huge hits. But for moments like Thanksgiving, be sure to include family recipes or dishes that bring up fond memories. For me, you can never go wrong with a pie! That is a family favorite and my mouth is watering now just thinking about it.
It is also so important to create spaces where people can easily connect. Setting up smaller conversation areas or communal-style dining can encourage togetherness. There are many products I use for my food set-up that have been lifesavers in easy prep that look great and allow easy access for everyone milling around!
Acacia Wood 3-Tiered Serving Tray: This is a great tray for putting out appetizers or small bites before you sit down for the main event at Thanksgiving. Perfect for hosting any event really as it provides easy access and looks elegant. (Hammont)
Having good serving dishes ready to go makes setting up parties and gatherings that much easier. These are a few of my favorites. The Wooden Acacia Serving Platter from Better Homes & Gardens matches the 3-tiered display so they are perfect to have together. If you want to have a clean, white look, the set of 4 Ceramic Serving Trays from Home Beets and the 3 Section-Divided Dishes from Blue Boat are perfect options! The trays are great for everything from charcuterie to sushi depending on your event. The divided dishes are great for snacking while watching football with the family before the big meal! All of these things help make the space look cohesive and make prepping things simpler.
Food Warming Mat: This is a lifesaver whether you are hosting an all-day event and want your food to stay warm for serving, or if it is Thanksgiving and you are prepping all sorts of dishes at different times but want them all to be hot and ready at dinner time! I use it all the time and always recommend it for others to try. (VEPOKA)
Making the Gathering Meaningful and Making Memories:
The main thing when hosting an event is the time you get to spend with the people you care about! All the prep you do allows for you to relax more on the day and make lasting memories with the people you love. Things like starting or including one special tradition, like having guests write down what they’re grateful for or sharing favorite holiday memories can add depth to the celebration. Small touches, like a cozy entryway with a festive candle or a welcoming note, make guests feel truly invited and set the stage for a warm experience. And I always like to curate a playlist to play softly in the background to create a warm atmosphere. Consider using playlists that mix classics with contemporary hits for something everyone will enjoy!
But remember that hosting is about being present, not perfect! Outline the event basics—menu, decor, and activities—but allow some spontaneity. This keeps the day low-pressure and lets guests feel more at home. I’m a planner, so I get it that you can feel like you want to be in control of how the day runs, but my favorite moments are often the ones that are most unexpected! So prepare, but understand that the people you love will bring their own energy to the party and that can make the event flourish in a new way.
Live in the moment, but do have some way to capture the memories being made. Capturing candid photos or even setting up a memory jar where guests can write their favorite memories of the night is a great way to be able to look back on the day when the party is over! Trust me, time moves so fast, so being able to look back at the core memories I’m making with my kids at this age is so important.
General Hosting Tips
Here are a few other go-to ideas for hosting any kind of event that I try and incorporate if I can!
Create a DIY Drink Station
A drink station with hot cocoa, cider, or cocktails allows guests to personalize their drinks. Include fun toppings like marshmallows, cinnamon sticks, or sprigs of rosemary.
Engage Kids with Their Own Area
Set up a small space with holiday crafts, coloring pages, or a movie corner. This keeps little ones entertained and allows adults to enjoy their time as well.
Prepare a Few Thoughtful, Simple Activities
Fun activities, like a cookie decorating station or a simple holiday game, create moments of connection. Keep it light-hearted and optional so everyone feels comfortable.
Send Guests Home with a Memento
Wrap up small treats or hand out personalized ornaments as a parting gift. A small takeaway keeps the holiday magic alive and lets guests leave with a smile.
Remember the main focus is always the beauty of gathering, and hosting is more than an event—it’s a way to cherish and celebrate those you love! I personally can’t wait to spend the holidays with my family and I’m sure I’ll be posting photos from our time together so be sure to follow me on Instagram to see how I put all of these ideas into action. I hope you all have a wonderful time creating memories this holiday season!
