You’ll never be stressed out by last-minute hosting again

I’ve done my fair share of hosting events large and small: dinner parties, cocktail hours, holiday reunions, you name it. As a result, I’ve learned quite a bit about what makes for a successful versus stressful entertaining experience. Today I’m going to share my most basic, approachable tip to becoming a more confident hostess, and you’ll be relieved to learn that it has nothing to do with the cleanliness of your home.

Hosting can be intimidating. It doesn’t help that social media is teeming with highly-curated, expensive events that pretend to be casual. You see these posts and think, “I could never host people in my home if that’s what’s being asked of me.” Please know that when you see those picture-perfect homes filled with stylish women sipping expensive wine and assembling girly crafts, you are very often looking at a performance for content creation. Real life guests have much lower expectations, and real life hostesses know that you don’t have to be over-the-top to create memorable moments. In fact, if you can master the art of one simple habit, you’ll realize just how easy and relaxing casual entertaining can be.

The Signature Snack/Sip Pairing

Yes, it’s as simple as it sounds. Keep your kitchen stocked with a signature snack/sip pairing at all times and you’ll be ready for guests at the drop of a hat. My favorite? A chilled bottle of sparkling wine and a bag of fancy-ish potato chips. I buy the $7 blanc de blanc and a bag of olive oil potato chips when I’m at Trader Joe’s and set them aside for when a last minute hosting opportunity presents itself. Sommeliers swear by this combo; the bubbles cut through the saltiness of the chips, and with little to no effort, you have an elegant pairing to impress your guests for less than $10. 

Next time an old friend reaches out to catch up, offer to have her over knowing that you already have a tasteful (and tasty) treat to serve. If you’re out to dinner and the group wants to continue the party, you can confidently invite them to your home, and you’ll be the hero of the night when you pull out the nightcap you just so happened to have on hand. 

Below are a few more affordable yet impressive pairings you might consider. The trick is to choose a snack that doesn’t require much prep beyond slicing or plating, and a drink that you don’t need to mix yourself. No need for specialty grocery stores or tons of prep time – that’s all there is to it!

• Apples, sharp cheddar, and chardonnay
• Chocolate truffles and cabernet sauvignon
• Candied nuts and pinot noir
• Veggies, dip, and sauvignon blanc
• Stuffed olives, marcona almonds, and sweet vermouth
• Crackers, boursin, and rose
• Crusty bread, dipping oil, and pinot grigio

Happy hosting!