Hello Friends!! I can’t believe we are just about in April! I don’t about you, but one of the ways I love dusting off the winter blues is a little spring gathering. Whether it’s for Easter or Mothers Day, a Baby Shower, or just because, it’s so much fun to host a spring inspired get-together for friends or family. I have to admit, hosting is one of my favorite things to do, and any excuse I need to bust out our bar cart for entertaining I will! I know the thought of hosting might seem daunting to some, so today I’m breaking it down with some of my go-to steps to make entertaining a breeze, while sharing our bar cart styled for Easter Brunch! Come and see!
Tip 1 – De-clutter ahead of Time : 4-5 days prior to company arriving I start the cleaning process in our house. And by start, I mean start to pick up things that don’t normally belong in that space. With kids, it’s not realistic for me to clean so far ahead, and expect it to stay that way. But I’ve found if I declutter ahead of time, when I do go to clean it doesn’t take as long, because I’ve already begun the process of putting things away. I also start planning my menu, so I know what I need to get at the grocery store.
Tip 2 – Set the Table : 3-5 days ahead ahead of time, set the table! You will be surprised at how much this really helps out in being prepared! I will admit, I like to be prepared, but I’m more of a last minute procrastinator. I do this a few days prior to people coming over, and it’s made things SO much easier. I can focus on the table, and all the little details I want to put into the table without feeling rushed
Tip 3 – Shop & Prep : 2 Days before our big shin-dig I grocery shop. I get all the ingredients I need, flowers for the table, and start setting up. Instead of waiting until the moment I need to lay out all the appetizers or find a spot to put the desserts. I start to clear off spaces that I will use to serve.
Tip 4 – Clean & Sweets : The day before our guests are due to arrive I put on my favorite tunes and do my best Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa) impersonation, LOL! Seriously though, I love the way that women cooks! The day before I make my desserts, and anything else I can do to make cooking the day of, less hectic. If anything can be done the day before so it just needs to reheat in the oven the day of, consider it done! And now is when I really clean.
I will totally confess, the old me would have just cleaned an hour before everyone was due to arrive. However, that ends up putting unnecessary stress on my helpers – aka the kids and my hubby. Nobody likes snappy mommy running around barking orders. Know your strengths, know your weaknesses. One thing I want my kids to embrace about hosting is that its enjoyable for not only those coming over, but for those hosting guests as well. And when I wait until the last minute, I become a stress ball who isn’t nice to my family, and that’s not really relaying the message I want to. So lesson learned, I clean the day before. And it doesn’t take as long because I’ve already picked up a lot of the “extra” items that clutter the house.
Tip 5 – Eat & Enjoy : The day of I figure out how long the rest of the food will take to cook, and plan accordingly. A half hour before everyone is due to arrive, I light a candle, and start pulling out appetizers, and put on some dinner music. That way when guests start showing up they are greeted by sweet aromas and a smile on my face. Because I’ve done my work – I’ve planned, I’ve prepped, I’m prepared! The 3 “P’s”.
From a last minute procrastinator – planning ahead has made entertaining, something that I’ve always loved to do! Give yourself grace, after all your hard work, don’t forget to sit back and relax and enjoy your company. As much as I love to prep and plan and host, I’m most looking forward to the quality time spent together.
To see some more bar ideas check out these other posts I’ve done below :
GREAT advice -gorgeous pictures – and big time inspiration. Thank you.
Hope you have a truly blessed Easter.
Ohh thank you so much 😉 You as well!!
Talk about the music out play and what you are using to provide it, please. Go the step further.
No sound system here. Thanks
I’m not sure I fully understand your comment? Are you asking what I use to play my music for when we have guests over?
You make it sound easy. A lot of plain old common sense goes a long way. I’m a firm believer in planning ahead for sure! Your bar cart looks very pretty.
Ohh Thank you so much Rebecca !! I completely agree 🙂 This procrastinator has totally learned the hard way the value of preparing ahead of time, even if it just the simple details 🙂