Tuesday, April 22, 2025
After a year of a new puppy, winter, and just a busier than I’d like schedule, I haven’t hosted much. This past week reminded me of how much it fills my cup to have low maintenance friends over and to do what I think of as a low maintenance spread.
I have a better entertaining space for warmer weather, but I need to be reminded that people really don’t care what your space consists of. And, when we look at the much smaller spaces of Europe, it seems silly to not invite people over more.
For the last year I have been going to coffee shops, restaurants, and bars more than I have been having people over. And, I only have a couple of friends who host in their homes. It’s funny to me that my friends who have the biggest homes host the least. So, that is something to put in your pipe and smoke and ruminate on, no?
There are seasons in your life where you do it more and less, of course. Friends who work from home want to get out.
I like to always have some cute cocktail napkins and small plates on hand. I really need to update my glassware. All I had for our recent guests that matched were jam jars but they really liked them and said they use them in Vermont, too!
I want the pretty hobnail style! I can be really weird and take a long time deciding on something small like this but I want the right size – not too short and not too tall and I am thinking about going with a very light mulitcolor set. See? I haven’t found that exactly right one yet. If you click on the red font, you will see it comes close, but it’s not quite right.
These were what I had for my guests last week. I found the cute napkins at Marshall’s on spring break.
Sometimes simple is best, you know?
Our drink was tinto de verano which is red wine with lemon lime soda and a lemon slice. I used a Rioja Tempranillo that was around $10.
Ordering a pizza and making a salad is great if you are crunched for time.
It’s always been easy to come to my house for after school happy hours since I live so close. One time I did something unexpected for Erica and Elizabeth and make tater tot nachos in the air fryer.
You could even Door Dash some bar food and it would still maybe be cheaper than going out.
You can have people over for coffee or tea and cookies or cake. Who wouldn’t love that?
As I have an idea, I type it in my phone memo.
There are so many things you can do – have some girlfriends over (or just one friend) and make and decorate a summer bucket list. I think Erica and Elizabeth would love to do that! You could get some nice paper and markers and stickers – why should only kids get to do that?
I think you know this topic is close to my heart. I love feeding people and I love connecting with people.
Here are some posts I have written:
Entertaining at Home – Why you should even if your space isn’t perfect
Hodgepodge of Borrowing from Other Cultures
Mexican Homemade To Go – I need to do this again!
Sound off in the comments! What are your best hosting tips for any type of hosting?
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
I try to keep it simple too and focus on spending time with the people I’ve invited over. I used to spend so much time in the kitchen or making sure everything was perfect that I never felt like I got to actually visit with whoever we had over but I’ve gotten so much better at that. Even if it does mean ordering out for pizzas (which most people seem to love!).
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I enjoy having a few friends over – I much prefer in home hosting to restaurants. It’s so hard to talk and visit. I agree, it doesn’t have to be anything too fancy or labor intensive. Simple is best! I guarantee a clean toilet and good food when I host – that’s it!
xo,
Kellyann
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I agree with all of this! Funny… I saw some glasses like that at Aldi a little over a month ago and bought them for my kids’ Easter baskets. As I was putting their baskets together on Saturday I was sort of sad I hadn’t bought a set for myself also. Maybe I still will.
I have noticed the same thing as you – when the kids were little we all went to other people’s houses (or the park) to play. I really couldn’t tell you the last time we had people over except for family. For some reason, everyone would always rather go out. I think convenience makes a difference also…since you live near the school, it is probably easier for people to stop at your house on my way home. Thanks for the post!
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You are such a great hostess! I do agree that we can keep it simple! I hardly host anymore…just the phase of life, I guess. I do prefer spring or summer when we can sit on the back patio. I love cute napkins and plates and those seem easy to find and an easy way to make it cute.
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We have people over fairly often and we go to our friends’ houses fairly often too (not as much recently as our friends have been busy. Of course they invited us over this weekend when I will be gone!!). Our friend group goes out to eat some but we all like to have people over as well. We’ve been hosting family get togethers including Christmas every year since we were married due to family dynamics. So I am pretty used to planning meals for crowds. I love smaller get togethers- you have provided some good tips and of course truths- people love to see people they care about and love. The surroundings being perfect is not necessary at all!
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I loved every word of this post. Thank you for the inspiration! I’ve discovered something interesting in the last year of my life: I have missed entertaining! Someone living here with me wasn’t conducive to entertaining in my home, but I have loved having people spend the night with me. My sister Lisa and my friend Teresa have been the two that have stayed with me overnight, and I have thoroughly enjoyed that time.
I love your ideas for doing something like a summer bucket list together. I’m going to do this soon! I’ll pick a night in May and have some girlfriends over, and I still want to have my wedding dress burning party and put the firepit to good use. I haven’t had time, and it needs to be on a Friday night. The gift of hospitality is definitely your thing, my friend, and it shows. Happy Tuesday! Three more sleeps!!
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We were kind of
In synch today!
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I agree. My tip for hosting is host. Just do it. We are the ones who worry about things looking and being perfect, guests don’t care if the baseboards are dusty. People enjoy being invited and don’t want the host running around the whole time fussing with complicated food while they’re there. They want to enjoy the company of their friends. We host often as do most of our friends. Often its spur of the moment too. People pull up to the dock if they’re out cruising and we invite them to tie up and sit on the dock or come up to the patio. Sometimes they’re people we don’t know, but just get to chatting dockside and that’s lots of fun. We always keep cocktail napkins on hand and I always have cheese, crackers, and beverages for spontaneous.I have several sets of small plates which work for apps. Lake living is casual and easy. People tend to make their own fun, which is usually on someone’s dock, patio, or porch. And it doesn’t always have to be a meal. Drinks, coffee, a cup of tea and a nibble are all good. There are people who are just not comfortable being the host, but we love it. Have fun entertaining this summer!
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I love your idea of keeping small plates and appetizers and drinks ready for pop in guests. I need to do that!
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I really like those drinking glasses as well. I keep thinking I will wait until I set up a new place to buy some though. I do try to plan well for hosting, but once people arrive, I feel like I am pretty low key, relaxed and hope people feel right at home. I love having people over. You are very thoughtful in the little touches and I agree, it isn’t about how much space you have. I am certainly looking forward to the weekend ahead!
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I haven’t hosted in awhile and I feel rusty! We will do some hosting this summer which I find a little easier as we can spread outside. I try and keep it simple and organized…lots of pre-planning and prep!
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You are so right that hosting doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated! Most people just love to be invited over! We remodeled our house about 10 years ago so I have room for a big dining table and a folding 6 ft. I started hosting Easter and Thanksgiving to give my mom a break as she hosts Christmas. I love visiting with people so I do as much prep work as possible the days before and everyone usually brings a side dish/dessert. I set our tables but serve buffet style at my island. I would like to do some smaller scale hosting though. I have lots of neighbor ladies who are retired and I want to have them over to chat – maybe a fall, brunch or Galentine’s day gathering? 🤔 So my best piece of advice is keep it simple and plan and prep ahead!
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We used to do this all the time when we were first married. I’m not sure what changed, but we seem to only have our kids over. You’ve inspired me to invite our neighbors over for a simple meal and games!
https://marshainthemiddle.com
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Hello,
I just read the post on your Mom’s home and I started focusing on low hanging fruit at my parent’s home and do through medicine cabinets, food and then clothes and shoes. I have had two bags full too of expired meds. Yes, the stool softener from 2008 might work but at that point one might really want it to work! Goodness. My mom tells my brothers “I make her throw away all these things.” Um, really expired meds and food are not good anymore and they can afford to buy new. She will want me to assess clothes, still in style, fit and I will consign for her or donate. Most are donate as old and well loved. I almost bought a nail file and when I read your post glad I did not as have plenty! I had a SIL who is a hoarder and that was terrible and yes, she kept buying more stuff as couldn’t find or access it. Their home was an episode of hoarders, yes, even with dead cats and dogs. It was so traumatic. It truly is a mental health disorder. My parents live in my grandparent’s home and have all my mom’s brothers and her mom’s items, my dad’s parent’s items and just so much crap. It is in the country so a really big burn pile. I need to stop shopping, I mainly do consignment and I have used it as a social outing and balm for my divorce trauma and need to stop as need the money and have plenty of clothes, shoes, coats and handbags.
I look forward to hearing about the ladies get together this weekend and would love to be invited sometime or feel free to visit MN! Our weather usually scares people off.
Yes, my husband and I entertained a lot and we have a very regular home and most of our friends have MUCH more expensive homes and sometimes I really wanted them to reciprocate. When you name your mansion, have a housekeeper, gardener and are a doctor’s wife one might think one could entertain! It is always interesting to me too. Hoping our weather warms up as want to rake the yard, burn some branches and get the patio set up.
Thank you for sharing and so happy you are retiring!!! Good for you. Minnesota in the fall is splendid and Lake Superior is amazing.
A faithful blog reader,
Christa
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So relatable! I would say more but I am exhausted. I would love to come to Minnesota for a “hot dish”! Isn’t that what they do there?
We have a chance to change our legacy but not being tied to our stuff.
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We hosted a lot more when the kids were home, and I need to get back to it. I really think people are hosting less at home these days. Thanks for all the hosting inspiration!
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