Am I the only one who thinks hosting an event sounds pretty terrible? Deciding who to invite, picking a day that will (hopefully) work for everyone, getting food and drinks for the occasion, making sure you don't just serve cold-from-sitting-too-long appetizers, and then cleaning up afterwards? Alright, I suppose I may be acting a little pessimistic but I will say that I'm not alone. 40% of people report feeling stress when hosting a party, and it's an even higher rate for women. Holiday parties, dinners, and general events at someone's home happen pretty often, but they can be a big source of stress nonetheless.
Still, hosting events is part of adulthood, so it's something we all need to get comfortable with. Plus, the better you understand what it takes to throw a relaxed party or dinner, the more you'll appreciate others who do it and invite you as a guest. With the holidays season upon us (plus endless chances of hosting year-round), here are 5 strategies to minimizing stress while acting as a host.
1. Go simple on the food.
You may want to try out that recipe you've had your eye on for months, but it might just end up stressing you out if it doesn't go as planned. Save yourself the headache by just keeping it simple. After all, the food at a party is just an add-on -- people are there to socialize. They aren't going to notice much of a difference between an appetizer you spent 2 hours on or one you put in the oven for 10 min. Save that complicated recipe for a time when you'll get the deserving praise for it being prepared perfectly, and instead opt for something straightforward and hassle-free for your party. Pick up something from the frozen aisle, or even check out the recipe section on the Trader Joe's website -- it's got plenty of easy gems.
2. Ask people to BYOB.
It can be difficult to predict what people will want to drink, especially if it's a big crowd. Plus, alcohol is not cheap. Skip the big bill and the headache, and instead ask guests to bring what they'd like to drink. It's standard for a host to offer a couple options, such as beer and a pre-mixed cocktail, and it's totally acceptable to tell guests to also bring something to share. Check out these big batch cocktail recipes, or go simpler with some lemonade and fresh fruit.
3. Assign roles to close friends or family.
Rather than waiting for people to come to you offering help, only to not know what to tell them, you can just assign roles in advance. One friend can be assigned the position as house DJ, one can monitor the food table to make sure the supply looks good, and so on. These roles can be whatever makes sense for the event you're hosting. With different people assigned specific jobs, you'll hear less of, "Oh, I thought you were going to deal with that." Make it easy on yourself and your friends.
4. Accept help when other people offer.
In a similar vein, when other people do inevitably offer to help you with something, don't be a hero. Don't feel like you have to keep it all on yourself -- it doesn't make you strong and you might insult the person offering. If you're refilling bowls of chips, or sweeping the floor because something spilled, or whatever, accept help with the task when it's offered. Your guests are grateful to be there, and when they offer help they mean it.
5. Expect that some things won’t go as planned -- and know that no one cares except you.
This is the big one. Like all parts of life, your party will not go exactly as you think it will. You'll forget cups, or someone will spill wine on your couch, or your speaker will croak. Whatever it is, don't fret. Don't put pressure on yourself that everything needs to go perfectly. Trust me, no one else is expecting that and no one is going to fault you for a little mishap here and there. It happens!
Ready to get out there and host a big Christmas party? If not, then fair enough. I'm not champing at the bit either. But I'm glad to know at least that when I do, I'll know a few ways to avoid freaking the geek out.
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
people sitting on chair in front of computer
all stars lol GIF by Lifetime
two women talking while looking at laptop computerPhoto by 
shallow focus photography of two boys doing wacky facesPhoto by 
happy birthday balloons with happy birthday textPhoto by 
itty-bitty living space." | The Genie shows Aladdin how… | Flickr
shallow focus photography of dog and catPhoto by 
yellow Volkswagen van on roadPhoto by 
orange i have a crush on you neon light signagePhoto by 
5 Tattoos Artist That Will Make You Want A Tattoo
woman biting pencil while sitting on chair in front of computer during daytimePhoto by 
a scrabbled wooden block spelling the word prizePhoto by 
StableDiffusion
StableDiffusion
StableDiffusion
women sitting on rock near body of waterPhoto by 
