Hostess with the Mostess (And a mild touch of Neurosis)
Summer has always been my favourite season. Fellow Canadians, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. Fiery grill over frosty chill any day, am I right?
As soon as the air is warm enough to not hurt my face, you’ll find me spending early mornings on the porch and late nights on the back deck. These few glorious months, albeit short ones in Ontario, hold a special place in my heart. Warm days, sunburnt skin (come on, we all secretly love peeling an old sunburn away, right?), and kids running around the house in what can only be described in a schools-out-for-summer, Alice Cooper like manner, evoke a very specific type of once-a-year joy.
My husband and I often try to spend as much time with friends and family during these fleeting Summer nights. And after a few Guinness’ deep, we usually find ourselves offering to host. Hosting can be a meticulous and demanding role…
But I have grown to LOVE it!
Okay, if I’m being completely transparent, in my early hosting years, I sometimes dropped the ball. Red solo cup double vodka sodas are super fun in college, but they don’t quite hit the mark when your Cab Sauv drinking thirty/ forty something friends are expecting a dinner party. I’m still learning to adult, but something I feel I’m slowly starting to master in terms of adulthood is coping with the stress that comes along with hosting. Let me tell you how.
*disclaimer*
I think the biggest thing to keep in mind if you’re a hosting novice is to be comfortable with everything being a total disaster. The perfectionist in me, when I first started hosting my friends/family wanted EVERYTHING to go according to plan.
Pssst. Just let go of that idea right now.
Things are going to go wrong. Especially if there are little rugrats involved. And that’s fine! You didn’t mess up. Nobody cares. They’re here to spend time with you, and if you over-char the burgers, they won’t write off your existence.
Anyway. Let’s talk about food.
Instead of taking on the role of planning meals, trekking to the farmer’s market (yes, I love a good farmer’s market - see my blog on sustainability here), cooking your feast, then washing you dishes…(I’m exhausted just thinking about this…how does it take like eleven dishes to make chicken parm?) Try a Potluck! No pressure for the host. And honestly, guests are usually excited to show off their culinary prowess by bringing their favourite dish. You’ll get an eclectic assortment of food as well, making your meal all the more interesting.
Another pro-tip, and this is a BIG one for me: keep the party outside! Don’t get me wrong, I keep a tidy home…usually. But with four kids, the place is bound to be in total disarray every 3-4 hours or so. It’s chaotic clockwork. As a professional designer, I get TOTALLY anal when I’m hosting company indoors. I want my place to look picture perfect. It’s something I’m working on. Key to avoiding all of that stress? Just move it outdoors. Best part is, when one of your guests inevitably spills their fourth glass of Cabernet, it won’t be on your off-white Pottery Barn rug.
The final piece of advice I’ll offer you is to make sure you actually enjoy yourself. Hosting can feel overwhelming, sure. But allow you take the time to hang with your friends. That’s why they’re here after all, for you! Eat the food, sip the cocktails and take a deep breath…or ten.
Now get out there and throw the most exciting, disastrous, delicious, authentically YOU style gathering the summer has ever seen!
And play some Alice Cooper, while you’re at it.
