The No-Stress Guide to Hosting Your First Holiday Meal

Hosting your first holiday meal is a rite of passage and yes, it can definitely feel overwhelming! You want the food to be great, the table to look beautiful, and the guests to leave feeling full and happy (preferably by 9pm).

The good news? You don’t need a culinary degree or a Pinterest-perfect house to make it happen. Here’s how to host your first holiday like a seasoned pro with zero meltdowns (aside from toddler meltdowns we can’t help with those)

Step 1: Pick a Menu You Can Handle

This is not the time to experiment with a 10-step soufflé. Choose recipes you’ve made before or ones with a short ingredient list. Your guests would rather have perfectly roasted vegetables than a half-baked turkey disaster.

Step 2: Delegate Like a Boss

Holiday hosting is a team sport. Assign appetizers, desserts, and wine to guests who offer to help. (And they will….don’t be shy about saying yes.)

Step 3: Style the Table in Advance

Your table is the first thing people will see and it sets the tone for the night. Lay out your dinnerware, add a seasonal touch like velvet napkin bows, and finish with a cheeky No Reservations napkin at each place setting.

Step 4: Make Time for a Toast

Even if the mashed potatoes are a little lumpy, a heartfelt toast makes the night memorable. Keep it short, warm, and personal and give yourself credit for hosting your first holiday! Cheers!

Step 5: Embrace Imperfection

Not everything will go smoothly and that’s okay. The wine might spill, the chicken might be overcooked but the only thing people will remember is how you made them feel!