Does the thought of hosting excite or overwhelm you?

Hosting can feel intimidating, especially for introverts, who may feel anxious at the thought of having gatherings in their homes.

Some people, like my mom, are great at hosting. I have fond memories of cozy gatherings in our home growing up.

I would love to be as graceful of a host as she is, but hosting does not come naturally to me.

Inspired by a White Elephant Party I’m planning, I decided to come up with a plan to make hosting feel a little easier.

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

This post inspired me to create an introvert-friendly hosting strategy. 

My battle, as an introvert, is that I enjoy fun social events, but socializing can also make me feel drained. 

The article I referenced made me realize that taking my social battery into account can help me host more successfully.

If you also have a more introverted nature, these tips can help you plan your event, manage your energy levels, and gain confidence as a host/hostess.

Introvert-Friendly Hosting Tips

Photo by Marissa Grootes on Unsplash

Hosting Tips – Getting Organized

Plan Way Ahead 

Planning ahead is crucial when it comes to hosting social events. Give yourself way more time than you think you need. I am terrible at giving myself enough time to do things. But, I’m working on it. 

My advice comes from personal trial and error. Based on experience, failing to plan can make hosting feel much more stressful than necessary

Planning ahead gives you, as the host, time to get everything together, calmly. And, planning ahead gives your guests a chance to plan their schedules accordingly.

Create a Party Timeline

Create a party timeline to stay organized. Plan out when you will clean, cook, decorate, etc. I am going to test this strategy for the first time this weekend to see how it helps me as a hostess.

Break it Down

If managing all of these details feel like a lot, break your party prep down into small pieces. Make a to-do list and tackle a little bit at a time. Breaking it down will make party prep feel a lot more manageable.

For example, I am going to tackle cleaning on Friday evening. On Saturday morning, I will prepare a snack table.

Photo by Food Photographer | Jennifer Pallian on Unsplash

Hosting Tips – Planning the Logistics

Ask For Help

Hosting doesn’t mean you have to run the whole event on your own. Asking for help makes hosting much easier. For example, you can ask someone to come early to help you set up.

I requested that everyone bring a snack to share. This is a good way to take some pressure off. Since I don’t have to worry as much about food, I can spend more time and energy planning other aspects of the party.

Make Sure You Have Enough Servingware

Make sure that you have plenty of plates/cups/silverware. 

At my Friendsgiving last month, I discovered, too late, that I didn’t have enough drinking glasses for everyone! 

Remember, we are learning through my trial and error. My Friendsgiving experience taught me to assess this detail beforehand. Now I know to ask a friend to bring extra supplies!

Clean Ahead of Time

Make sure your guests are entering a clean and tidy space. Again, it is helpful to start this ahead of time to reduce stress.

Take Out the Trash

It’s a good idea to take out the trash before people arrive. 

Photo by Ben Rosett on Unsplash

Hosting Tips – Creating a Cozy Atmosphere

Light Candles

Candles create a warm and cozy atmosphere. Scented candles are great for making your space smell nice.

I plan to light a few holiday-scented candles to match the party’s theme.

If you can’t light candles (or don’t want to), you can diffuse essential oils to make your space smell nice. And fairy lights can provide similar, soft lighting.

Play Music

Music is essential to liven up a party. Spotify has great pre-made playlists if you don’t want to make your own. Remember to charge your speaker or ask someone to bring one.

This is another great opportunity to ask for help. Put someone in charge of the music selection. Another fun option is to create a public Spotify playlist and send out the link, so all your guests can add songs and create a custom soundtrack for your event.

Photo by William Montout on Unsplash

Hosting Tips – Mindset Strategies to Protect Your Peace

Keep It Simple

Don’t overcomplicate things. I know it is easier said than done, but keep your event simple and minimize stress. All that matters is that you and your guests have a good time. You can achieve that without a complex itinerary.

Don’t Put Pressure on Yourself

Again, this is easier said than done, but try not to put pressure on yourself. Setting unrealistic expectations creates unnecessary stress. Things might not go the way you expected and that is okay! You don’t have to be a “perfect” host. Just do your best (sorry if that is cheesy).

Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash

Plan Time to Recharge

As introverts, we need plenty of time to recharge our social batteries. Make sure to take that into account when planning your party. 

Try not to plan an event for a time when your social calendar is already packed. 

My party is on Saturday night. So I plan to spend Friday night relaxing on my own. A night in will provide the rest I need to feel energized for a party. Plus, this will give me more time to prep the night before.

And remember to allow yourself to re-energize with some self-care afterward. Understanding your energy levels is very important for introverts. Giving yourself time to recharge can allow you to enjoy connecting with others without draining your energy.

More Stress-Free Hosting Resources

Check out this post for more stress-free hosting tips!

I hope this post inspires you to approach hosting in a way that feels more relaxed and manageable. If you’re an introvert like me, you can use these tips to plan fun events while honoring your introverted nature.

Remember, the point of hosting is spending meaningful time with loved ones. Setting the intention to enjoy connecting with others can help energize you throughout your event!

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