The memoirs of Ina Garten, Be Prepared When Luck Comescompletely transformed my life. Ina’s vision of life, peppered with fabulous dinners, good friends, and delicious food, inspired my 2025 New Year’s resolution to host loved ones once a month. I had never hosted a dinner party before January, but I was determined to constantly invite friends over to catch up, celebrate, and have deep conversations over cocktails and cheese boards. Any excuse to get off my phone and create a true connection was the goal. As the year ends, I am very proud to say that I have kept my promise. I’ve hosted about a dozen cozy gatherings since January! Prioritizing my offline community has been a joy and I now have a great collection of dinner party hosting lessons to take with me as we enter the holiday season.
The hosting season is often associated with Thanksgiving holidays and Christmas dinners, which, let’s face it, can add extra pressure and anxiety. With all of my 2025 gatherings under my belt, I’m excited to share that hosting once a month has changed my perspective on holiday hosting. Ahead, here are some dinner party planning lessons I’ll take with me into the final months of the year.
Hosting is a practice
As someone with perfectionist tendencies, I initially refrained from hosting. I thought my house wasn’t big enough, I wasn’t a good enough cook, and my friends weren’t really interested in coming anyway. Talk about hosting anxiety! All three things were false, but this mentality can prevent you from trying something new, including hosting. The meeting is a practice.
The first time I had friends over for dinner, I was very nervous. I wanted everything to go well, but I had to remind myself that it was my first time. Of course, I was a little nervous! Over time, the nerves dissipated and turned into excitement. I just needed a few dinners under my belt to relax.
The act of meeting regularly has improved my confidence, alleviated my perfectionism, and deepened my sense of community. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving for the first time or the hundredth time, remember to meet where you are.
Your guests are everything
It’s not about what’s on the table, it’s about who is around you. Social media can make it seem like hosting is all about how beautiful your tablescape is, how impressive the dishes are, or how elegant the cocktails can be. I’ll be the first to admit that love the aesthetic parts of hosting: setting the table is my favorite. But I always do my best to make the most important thing the most important thing: the guests. Hosting is about meeting and connecting with your loved ones. Make the gathering one that makes you and your friends comfortable, happy, and well-fed.
I love having a welcome drink ready to serve as soon as guests walk through the door. Place appetizers on the table before guests arrive and make clear signs about where to place their coats and shoes. Your mood as a host sets the tone, so be sure to take a moment to relax before your guests arrive. Sharing space (and a meal!) creates connections that social media can’t replicate. Be sure to enjoy the company of your loved ones.
Start little by little
Dinner parties don’t have to be big events. Keeping things small creates more intimacy, which may even be preferable, especially if you’re an introvert. During the holiday season, it may seem like bigger is better – there’s so much to do, see and plan for! But if you’re a beginner host, or maybe you’re ready to slow down a bit, it’s more than okay to start small. All of my meetings this year have been with four or six people at a time and it has been perfect. But if you prefer large meetings, allow yourself to work for it.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Co-hosting has been an incredible gift to me this year. Being alone was a little intimidating, especially at the beginning of my hosting adventures. But planning a party with a friend takes some of the pressure off. Plus, it can be 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 with you. That way, you’ll have someone to bounce ideas off of, plus you can split the costs and workload. The same goes for vacation hosting! Co-hosting a Christmas gathering or Friendsgiving sounds like a lot of fun.
Use what you have
Building my arsenal of hosting supplies this year has been a lot of fun: my dishes and utensils are a mix of estate sale finds, family heirlooms, and new items. While it’s tempting to go all out with themed dinners and decor, having a basic collection of supplies is key. I live in a semi-detached house with minimal storage space, so keeping things simple has paid off and reduced stress. If you have the budget and space for themed supplies (and it brings you joy!), then go for it! But I found that using what I’ve made makes my meetings simple, easy to organize, and welcoming anyway.
Overall, hosting is truly seasonless—gathering with your loved ones offline and in person can (and should!) happen all year long. Whether you’re having some friends over for coffee or are ready to plan a 5-course meal, consider this your sign for gathering with your friends and family!
