HOLIDAY HOSTING
Sometimes the best invitations are the ones you send, rather than the ones you receive. Yes, I know I sounded like a Hallmark card there for a second, but it’s true! For me, there’s nothing more fun than gathering people together in your own space during the holiday season. And I love selecting the decor, the music, the cocktails, the food—I love it all. But because doing it all is… a lot, I remain stress-free with a few tried-and-true holiday hosting tips which I’m sharing below!
PLAN AHEAD
While there’s plenty of work that goes into hosting friends and family during this festive season, it is possible to host without feeling overwhelmed or out of control. To do so, it’s important to give yourself enough time in advance of the celebration to plan out as many details as you can, so you don’t feel overworked on the day of your party.
Keep in mind, our seasonal calendars tend to fill up fast, especially with the precious few Saturday nights there are in December. So, inviting friends and family with as much advance notice will ensures your guests have time to plan accordingly. Although I love good ole fashion snail mail, I’ve personally enjoyed sending online invitations for events lately! So quick, easy, and less expensive than mailing!
outsource when possible
The last thing you need to worry about in the midst of entertaining is running out of food or drinks, leaving your guests hungry and thirsty. Being open to an extra pair of hands, especially when it comes to holiday hosting, will help you relax and enjoy the party. This why I try outsource as much as possible!
So this year for our holiday party, I’m so excited to recruit the help of charcuterie expert, Susan, owner of Amazing Graze. If you’re local to Knoxville, you must check them out! They were recently voted Knoxville’s Best Charcuterie Board in CityView Magazine. They offer everything from small charcuterie boxes to-go (perfect for date night!), grazing tables, and sweet treat charcuterie boxes/boards! We are so excited to surprise our guests with a beautiful grazing table at our holiday party and holiday treat boxes from Amazing Graze as a little party favor! Head to the Amazing Graze website here to book them for New Year’s Eve, Valentines Day, or dinner party! And hurry, because they book up quick!
DON'T FORGET THE MUSIC
There’s no reason to hire a DJ for your holiday party, but you also don’t want to forget about music. Music can really set the tone of your holiday hosting. If you’re looking for something easy, you can use an app like Spotify. We are playing “Christmas Cocktail Jazz” at our holiday party. Put that playlist on shuffle and you’ll always have festive melodies in the background to enhance mood.
HOLIDAY HOSTING
So will you be doing any holiday hosting of your own this season? Do you have any tried-and-true holiday entertaining tips? Share in the comments below! And stay tuned for more festive fun coming soon!
SHOP GIFT GUIDES
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: FOR HER
Looking for the best gift to get your gal pals, sister, or the leading lady in your life? From plush slippers, must-have wardrobe staples, to the cosmetic items she didn’t know she needed… I’m rounding up the best holiday gifts and ideas to get all the special women in your life. And maybe even yourself!
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: FOR HIM
Whether you’re looking for the best holiday gifts for your dad, your brother, husband, or beau… I’ve got you covered. From clothes they’ll drool over, to the latest in tech, here are the best, fool-proof, gifts for him this holiday season.
HOLIDAY GIFTS UNDER $50
The ultimate gift list under $50, for items that are affordable, but won’t elicit any less excitement from the recipient. So, if you’re looking for a great, budget-friendly gift, I’ve rounded up a list of the best.
About Madison
I'm Madison - a northern gal planting roots down south. Musings by Madison is your guide to classic style, beauty, home decor & more. Rooted in passion for encouraging others to curate a closet, home, and life they’re proud of and inspired by each day.
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