You know the feeling: it’s 5 p.m., your guests are coming at 6, you’ve barely prepped a thing, the table’s not set—and you still need to shower. Hosting doesn’t have to be a chore, and with a little bit of forethought, gathering your loved ones for a meal can be what it’s supposed to be: fun.
“My learned-the-hard-way advice is to remember that your job as host is not putting on a show, it's making people feel welcome and at ease. Have drinks ready for guests. Encourage them to wander around—don't you, too, love checking out other peoples' houses? Do a seating chart in advance, so people don't have to fend for themselves. Keep an eye on people'sso they don't have to ask for more wine or water.
“Always be finishing up making food as guests arrive. It makes people feel less pressured to be ‘on’ right when they get to my house. I also try to have eucalyptus hanging from my shower to make my bathroom smell heavenly.” —Kelly Kenneally, Graphic Designer"Any time I'm planning to serve a dessert , I try to make it either that morning or the day before.