The holiday season is in full swing, and with it, the daunting task of hosting. The Barefoot Contessa herself professed that “the most important thing for having a party is that the hostess is having fun,” and we couldn’t agree more. We spoke with interior designer Bentley Waters, owner of Bentley Jane in Chappaqua, about tips and tricks that will allow you and your guests to enjoy the holiday season together.
Prep, prep, and more prep
As the saying goes, luck favors the prepared, and hosts need all the luck they can get. “I make as much as I can before my guests arrive,” says Bentley. “All of the sides and hors d’oeuvres are done, and the main is either going into the oven or on the grill.” Consider setting up a self-serve bar with wine, beer, and a creative batch cocktail beforehand. Give yourself time to curate your playlist beforehand so you’re not DJ’ing the entire night.
When planning the menu, know thyself
Cooking an entire meal from scratch may be theoretically admirable, but it is not necessarily practical. Know your strengths and what dishes you want to outsource. Also, realistically consider how many hours you can dedicate to food prep. “Mashed potatoes are a great example of a holiday dish that is very time-consuming and could easily be sourced and heated up,” says Bentely.
Know where to save and where to splurge
Choose neutral durable dinnerware that can easily go in the dishwasher and be reused. “Melamine dinnerware is my go-to for hosting. When you have a large party, rather than breaking out your china, get an affordable set of melamine dishware,” says Bentley. Dress the table up by buying a festive paper runner, affordable votive candles, and consider bringing seasonal decor in from outdoors. Use the money you save on those items to splurge on linen napkins and good drinkware.
Consider giving guests a take-home gift
A small thoughtful piece for your guests to take with them goes a long way. Perhaps it’s a cookie wrapped in cellophane with the guests’ names on it, which can also act as a place card if you are doing assigned seating; or a recipe card with the cocktail details from the night. Wine stoppers, small bottle openers, or candles are also great gifts.
Related: How to Decorate Smaller Spaces in Your Westchester Home for Fall
