It’s the most wonderful time of the year and if you’re like me, you’re ready for the holiday season to commence so that you can enjoy your beloved culinary favorites and share in the magic of the season!  Being the hostess can feel daunting, but honestly, it doesn’t have to be. I’m sharing a simple hostess hack (or two, or three…maybe more) to help your celebration go off without a hitch!

Don’t go overboard with table decor

I know it’s tempting to go all out with flowers, candles, lanterns, and all of the accessories, but going overboard with table decor can actually be a problem. Too many things on the table may make someone accidentally knock over a candle, or having too tall of arrangements and your guests won’t be able to engage with one another. Keep things low and simple. Be sure to leave space for a platter or two in front of a guest if you are doing a family style dinner. People will remember the good time they had, not how trendy your table was.

Create an essentials basket for your powder room

As a hostess, you want people to feel comfortable even while you may be in full entertaining mode. A simple hostess hack is one you may recognize from the spa: An essentials basket. Keeping an essentials basket handy will ensure that no matter if a guest feels a headache coming on, or gets an unexpected visitor, you don’t have to leave the party to assist. 

Set the mood with a playlist

Let the music play! Having some music in the background keeps things moving and relaxes your guests. There are a ton of playlists available on Spotify to choose from. You could even task your guests with adding a song or two to a playlist when they RSVP to the party. Share the link to the playlist after the celebration so they can relive the night over and over again.

Choose a white and a red wine (at minimum) for your celebration

While I love greeting guests with a glass of bubbly, there’s no doubt if you choose classic wines like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, many items on your holiday table will pair well with them including:

Chardonnay Pairings
Salads, Scalloped Potatoes, Mac & Cheese, Baked Sweet Potatoes/Yams, any seafood dishes, 

Cabernet Sauvignon Pairings
Turkey and gravy, Pot Roast, Steaks, Lamb, Mushroom Dishes

LangeTwins has two amazing selections to make all of your pairing dreams come true. Remember when I toured the winery earlier this year? The 2020 Merrill Chardonnay and the 2018 Railroad Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cab is in classic Bordeaux style with cranberry and spice notes. The Chardonnay is vibrant with aromas of brioche and finishes with a slightly tropical note and recently received 91 points by Wine Enthusiast!

Another simple hostess hack? Snagging the Toasting the Classics set which features both varietals and is perfect for hosting and gifting alike. The set (as well as the other LangeTwins gift sets) ships for just one cent through Cyber Monday (11/28).

Remember To Have Fun

Now this is a simple hostess hack that is often forgotten but seems to be the most important. Getting together with loved ones after the past couple of years feels extra special this year. I know it’s easy to get caught up in every last detail and to want to get things “right,” but don’t forget to have fun. Like I said above, people are going to remember the great time they had over any of those details that you may obsess over. Enjoy making memories with them!

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*This post was sponsored by LangeTwins. Thank you for supporting the brands that support the blog!