Now that it’s mid-December, we're easing into the time of year associated with joy, connection, and togetherness. Ideally anyway. In reality, there is little “easing into” anything, as many of us spend December scrambling to buy gifts and stressing about how to entertain our guests. I write a lot about hospitality and compassion in the context of work, but the holidays give us an opportunity to be hospitable and compassionate hosts for our loved ones. With that in mind, if you’re expecting people over for the holidays, here are a few ways you can be sure your houseguests have an amazing experience.
Treat Your Guests
Everyone likes to be pampered, and being a host gives you an opportunity to create an unforgettable experience for your family and friends. For example, as you greet your guests and take their coats, consider having cocktails and appetizers ready to go, giving them an opportunity to enjoy their refreshments and get comfortable. Immediately, you’ve given them a place to put their things, offered them food and drink, and given them a place to relax and enjoy them. Anticipating needs and making ordinary gestures extraordinary goes a long way when you’re trying to build a relaxing, easy atmosphere. With that in mind…
Create a Relaxing, Easy Atmosphere
The key to creating a great vibe is a clean, comfortable space coupled with great music (luckily, if you’re not musically inclined, there’s a Spotify playlist for every kind of event you can imagine). While everyone has a different idea of the “right” atmosphere, your overall goal should be to get people relaxed and away from any feelings of expectation or obligation. Whether you’re throwing a small, cozy Christmas get-together or a huge holiday rager, give your guests an opportunity to focus on fun and fellowship from the moment they walk in the door. Plenty of comfortable seating, good lighting, and great conversation is crucial. And one way to facilitate conversation is with top-tier food and drinks.
Top-Tier Food and Drinks
Arguably, this is the most important aspect of any gathering. Great food and plenty of drink options goes a long way in making your guests feel cared for, relaxed, and considered (be sure to have both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options—and plenty of them!). Not only will a strong cocktail or delicious glass of wine go a long way in terms of keeping guests content, but also great food will keep people eating and talking all night. Be sure that in addition to an excellent meal, you’ve also got appetizers, desserts, and other small bites to keep people snacking throughout the party—too much alcohol and not enough food is a recipe for disaster. This might require some extra planning and effort to juggle so many food options, but it's worth it to keep your guests happy. But remember, you should have a good time too.
Give Yourself Permission to Share in the Fun
A lot of hosts get so wrapped up in making sure everything is perfect, they forget to enjoy the party themselves. With the right amount of pre-party planning, you can enjoy the party as much as your guests. It’s possible to remain hospitable while also having fun—remember, you aren’t hired help, and this is a chance for you to enjoy your loved ones as much as they enjoy you and your company.
Good Vibes and Even Better Memories
The holiday season is all about creating memories with the ones you love, and a gathering that emphasizes hospitality is one that your guests will remember fondly. To finish, I wanted to share Host’s Hospitality Values as a working blueprint. While these were developed with the workplace in mind, many of these values can be applied any time you’re trying to create a better, more engaging environment for anyone.
Happy Holidays!
Welcome Warmly
Start everyone’s day with simple gestures and personal experiences that affirm a natural sense of belonging, elevate the workday and resonate long after departure.
Nail the Basics
Remove friction so visitors and residents can focus on their work without having to think about the tools they need to excel. Every space and person should be organized and prepared in advance—every service delivered with intention for maximum comfort.
Empower individuals to do their best work by making every day seamless. Identify and address needs quietly and with great care, before they surface.
Activate Culture and Community
Bring the space to life by reinforcing culture in ways that forge connections between individuals and with the organization. Inspire the community to come together organically.
Deliver Unexpected Delight
Create moments of delight and care through memorable, anticipatory gestures and personalized human interactions.
Make the Ordinary, ExtraordinaryShare moments that matter by creating authentic, recurring experiences that resonate in such a way that the community looks forward to their next visit.
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