Entertaining is definitely a passion of ours, but during the holidays we seriously ramp it up, even for us. Already on our hosting calendar for December is a Christmas brunch with Bob’s side of the family, a Christmas cocktail party with our neighbors, a potential gathering with Bob’s co-workers, and the usual Christmas Eve and Christmas Day festivities. Add in any number of the impromptu get togethers we’re known for and it’s safe to say that this time of year I go into hostess mode for a month or more straight. That’s why today I’ve teamed up with the folks at Tyson® to share my top ten tips for easy last minute holiday entertaining! It’s my goal to help you feel empowered to entertain during the holidays, even if maybe you don’t typically throw parties or even consider yourself a host or hostess. So here I’m sharing my favorite ways to streamline prep work, inspiration for really simple recipes, and a bunch of “do ahead” and “last minute” ideas so you can hop off to the grocery store the night before or last minute and bring things together without a lot of stress.
Entertaining Tips
Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, things are about to get decidedly merry around these parts! Tis the season for entertaining and I, for one, could not be happier to host family and friends as often as possible over the next several weeks. Today I’ve teamed up with 34 Degrees to share a few easy tips and inspiring ideas for hosting a simple yet super chic holiday cocktail party. I think this is truly the easiest way to entertain over the holidays and oftentimes the most fun, too! You won’t have to spend hours prepping, cooking and then cleaning the kitchen and with a stash of 34 Degrees crisps at the ready, you can serve up tasty gourmet bites in a flash. Plate them alongside a selection of delicious cocktails, crank your favorite holiday playlist and you’ve got a hip holiday party waiting to happen.
Ready or not, ’tis the season for celebrations and gatherings aplenty! Also known as, my very favorite time of year. From impromptu guests popping in for holiday cocktails to full fledged dinners complete with the in-laws, chances are your house sees more action over the last couple months of the year than the rest of the year combined. We entertain at least a couple times a month all year long and even for us the holiday season is bustling. To help you get you ready for all that merriment, today I’ve teamed up with BISSELL to share my tips for how to prep your home for the holidays! After years of always scrambling and feeling stressed when friends and family were set to arrive, I’ve finally settled on a handful of habits that make opening our home to loved ones feel so much more enjoyable. Have anything to add to the list? Chime in below – I always love new tips!
It’s no secret that I love a good party appetizer, and I think the best are ones that are simple to pull together that still allow guests to try out a few different things. Enter this super easy bread and oil appetizer dipping station! You know those restaurants where you get to munch on great crusty bread and delicious flavored oils while you wait for your meal? That’s totally the inspiration here. All you need is a few baguettes sliced up, olive oil and a bunch of yummy flavors to add into the mix like lemon zest, red pepper flake and minced garlic. Here I’m sharing a few of my personal favorite flavor combinations, but you should absolutely mix and match to your heart’s content using your favorite herbs and spices. To serve everything, cute little bowls for each oil concoction (I’d suggest at least two or three) and a pretty wooden board piled high with bread will do the trick.
This post was sponsored by Dr. Oetker Virtuoso Pizza. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that help make The Sweetest Occasion possible! When we were planning our recent housewarming party, I was determined to come up with a couple of really killer appetizers to accompany the Dr. Oetker Virtuoso Pizza that was the star of our menu. With Virtuoso’s …
This post was sponsored by Dr. Oetker Virtuoso Pizza. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that help make The Sweetest Occasion possible! Approximately a million years after closing on our house (or, you know, five months), we finally had a chance recently to host a sweet little housewarming party for a handful of good friends. We were thrilled to …
I’m in Manhattan this morning and it’s gloomy and raining. How’s that to open a post all about spring parties? But seriously, even despite the drizzle and the gray, there’s something about the air the last few days that has just felt like spring. And you know what that means. Yup, I’m thinking about spring …
Let’s talk about the perfect poolside drink shall we? I’m pretty sure it’s this boozy watermelon lemonade infused with rosemary. Mix it up with a really good gin (my favorite is Hendricks) or substitute your favorite vodka if you’re not much into gin. Serve it up in some awesome mason jar glasses and tie a …
I have always loved a pretty table. Whether elegant and traditional, rustic or modern, the table is such a fabulous opportunity to add color, texture and personality to a celebration. Lately I have found myself pinning some of the loveliest ideas and I couldn’t resist sharing a handful of favorites. Right now I am definitely …
I’m excited today to share a recent project that I wrote and styled for local women’s magazine, Today’s CNY Woman. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, the feature is all about planning the perfect little Mother’s Day brunch with a few pretty details and little to no fuss. Just how I like it! You …
It’s supposed to be 60+ degrees here in Syracuse today and, I have to admit, I am so ready. Bring on spring! Bright, happy shades of yellow, pink and purple are where it’s at for me at the moment. I’m spending the day today painting and while, I have to admit, neither yellow nor pink …
There’s nothing I love more than small at-home gatherings with the best of friends, laughter and good times. So while winter makes it’s final push, I’m feeling like a board game night with my best people. My idea for the perfect way to do a board game night? Keep it cozy with floor cushions, fluffy …