Southern Hospitality

Hosting tips & tricks I’ve learned along the way from important ladies in my life!

We all have those women in our life that we aspire to be like. I am blessed to have so many women role models in my life. I value all the little lessons I’ve learned from them. Below, I’m sharing some advice on becoming the best southern hostess.

The key to a good party is letting your guests know all the details. If its a larger party consider mailing invitations. For more casual parties, maybe an e-mail invitation or text will work. A key note is to let your guests know what is expected of them. Should they bring something? Is there a theme? Should they RSVP? This is also where you can address the start and end time for your get-together. Personally, I love a mailed invitation.

It should come as no surprise, that this southern gal is going to offer guests a sweet tea as soon as you walk through my door. Putting a drink into your guests hands will make them feel right at home.

A wise lady once told me, "Let them spill the drink.” Deep down spills and messes cause me much anxiety, but a good hostess never lets those feelings show. Since I’ve started hosting more in our new home, I’ve learned to let go of those anxieties. So go ahead and spill that drink, because messes can always be cleaned up.

Now for the nitty gritty tips! >>>

If time permitting, throw together a fresh flower arrangement for your gathering. I promise people will notice.

My mom passed down the more than enough mentality. When I’m planning food for a party I always want to have more than enough. Nothing says southern quite like food, and in my family we really like to eat! I want my guests to feel like they can come back for seconds or thirds.

We all have that aunt that is a professional shower thrower. My Aunt Kathy is that aunt. She’s taught me the importance of backups. Whether it be a backup plan for weather or a backup food platter. Be prepared for whatever comes your way.

Summer, my sister works in the hospitality industry. She’s passed down many hosting tips but the most important is cultivating the right menu for your event. When coordinating your menu keep in mind the size of the party, seasonal fares that fit your theme, and if the dishes and flavors work together.

I know I said more is more when it comes to food, but when it comes to the dishes and sides sometimes less is more. I’ve learned to make my menu precise and to keep it simple.

Make sure to have your food and drinks prepped and ready; because guests always arrive hungry.

A southern lady knows there’s nothing better than homemade. The women in my life are going to cringe when I say this, but honey it doesn’t have to be homemade to be good.

Some of my favorite parties are the ones that are the easiest to execute. Maybe that means having food catered or doing something as simple as pizza and prosecco. Not everything has to be homemade.

If you do choose to cook, be easy on yourself, and go with one of your signature dishes. You don’t have to be fancy to impress people.

It’s not a party until the pie has been served! A true southern lady cuts and serves everyone dessert. I learned this from my Grandma; she would always say, "Now what can I get you for dessert?” She put others before herself always. Now, that’s a great southern host! Extra points if you offer fresh coffee to pair with dessert.

This next tip is one I’ve really had to work on myself. I’m learning to let go of the mess while hosting. I used to constantly be cleaning up after people, and then I realized that might make them feel uneasy. Embrace the mess and deal with the clean up when guests leave. After all, you worked hard to host this party and you deserve to enjoy it too.

I hope I’ve inspired you to throw that backyard BBQ or that 90’s themed party you’ve been dying to have! There’s nothing quite like making the special people in your life feel special! It’s really the little things that make the difference and make people feel loved.

Happy hosting friends!