Hosting, after all, is a fine art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you\u2019re a seasoned holiday party pro or taking on your first Friends-Giving<\/a>, this is your 101 Guide to Southern Hospitality \u2013 with a classy touch that\u2019ll leave your guests awestruck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hosts you envy are great hosts because they took the time to plan. Truly, they thought of everything, but they didn\u2019t do it on the fly. While the night of your event will require a little bit of improvisation, we first plan to succeed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whatever you\u2019re planning (a meal, a party, etc.), there will be lots of moving parts. Grab your favorite notebook, a good pen, and a warm mug of your favorite something to sip. We\u2019re curling up on the couch and getting our heads in order first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you know what you\u2019re hosting, what do you want the energy of the event to be? High energy and cheerful, quiet and cozy, or family style fun? Maybe you\u2019ve got a theme in mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Start your planning with the way you want your guests to feel \u2013 this will help you make most of your hosting decisions later on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some questions to get you started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being a good host doesn\u2019t mean you have to have the most extravagant gathering, nor do you have to go all-out. A host who burns themselves out is only trying to pour from an empty cup. Your time and energy are precious\u2026 and limited. Give yourself permission to \u201cdo less\u201d in the pursuit of \u201cmaking the most.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your guests will be happiest when they also see and feel that you are having a good time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Go ahead and get rid of the notion that the best hosts spend the most money. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can host the world\u2019s best Friends-Giving as a potluck on paper plates with disposable utensils and make it the best day of the year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also spend hundreds of dollars on food and decor and end up hosting something perfectly forgettable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Decide how much you\u2019re willing to spend in total on your event, and make a list of the components you feel are most important to you and the experience you\u2019re creating. Maybe that\u2019s the menu, decor, or an activity. That way, when something comes along and gives you \u201cshiny object syndrome,\u201d you reference your priorities list and avoid overspending on something that was never that important to you to begin with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hosting a mixed-age event of any kind, even a family function, can be very tricky \u2013 especially for new hosts. As adults, it\u2019s easy to just tell the kids to go play in the yard and have them sit at their own kid-sized table while you focus on the adults. But, if you\u2019re choosing to host kids, they deserve to feel welcome, too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you decide your event is family-friendly, some small creature-comforts will go a long way to making sure everyone (parents included) has a good time! Paper plates, plastic cups, and a disposable table cloth will help make cleanup easy and prevent significant messes. Make sure there are foods the kids can enjoy (collard greens may not be on their menu, even if it\u2019s your favorite dish). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Planning a small activity, like a craft or game<\/a>, that kids of different ages can enjoy and participate in goes a long way to keeping them both happy and allowing their parents to enjoy a little grown-up to grown-up conversation.\u00a0 Giving kids a designated space to run around and play is also helpful when the inevitable excitement of a sugar-hype hits.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Simply put, if you intend to host kids, consider their needs like you would the needs of the adults in attendance! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you\u2019ve got a clear idea of what you want your event to feel like, look like, and your budget for both your energy and your money, the fun really starts! <\/p>\n\n\n\n A proper Southern host ensures the guest list has a \u201cbuddy system\u201d quality to it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The typical guidelines for guest lists are mathematical. Even numbers of guests are best, so that everyone has someone they could potentially talk to. But you\u2019re the host with the most, so you\u2019re going to take it one step further. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A good guest list isn\u2019t just numbers. It\u2019s social chemistry, and this can really take an event from \u201coh yeah, I forgot she had us over last year\u201d to \u201coh my gosh, do you remember Sarah\u2019s holiday party from last year? That was amazing, I really hope she has another one this year!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some questions to consider for the world\u2019s best guest list:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ah, the best social lubricant of them all! <\/p>\n\n\n\n You aren\u2019t obligated to cook everything \u2013 potlucks are a host\u2019s best friend. But, it pays to plan ahead. Potlucks go best when you assign \u201cside dish,\u201d \u201cdessert,\u201d \u201cfinger food,\u201d or \u201cappetizer\u201d to each guest, while you cook the main entree. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A good host knows that the day-of is NEVER the time to try out a new recipe. If you\u2019re considering cooking something you\u2019ve not done before, take the time to try it out before the date of your event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dishes that can be cooked or prepared in advance of your event are your best friend! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re breaking out the fine china and crystal or going full paper plate mode, take the time to set your table!\u00a0\u00a0A tablecloth, center piece<\/a>, and folded napkin really take everything up a notch.\u00a0 Get creative and have fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some things to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your event is here! Guests are on their way\u2026 now what?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Light the fireplace, or some candles to help set the ambience<\/a>.\u00a0 A little background music (keep it lower volume so as not to drown out conversation) goes a long way toward cultivating the atmosphere you want.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have some drinks pre-poured and ready to be handed to your guests after they\u2019ve gotten settled. A communal snack platter also goes a long way \u2013 people love to gather wherever the food is!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smiles! Hugs! A warm welcome is in order. Offer to take their coat, or suggest a place for them to remove their shoes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When they\u2019re ready, offer them the drinks you prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can relax. Your guests can entertain each other with conversation while you handle the finishing touches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As your event transpires, take the time to talk to each of your guests. Thank them for coming, and let them know you\u2019re happy they\u2019re here! Do your best to float from person to person throughout the gathering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hosting never needs to be a stressful thing. The best hosts are the ones who know how to make each individual guest feel welcome. The most touching thing you could possibly do is connect with each of your guests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>It starts with the basics: Planning to Succeed.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.themagnoliacompany.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/hospitality-planning-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Get Clear on Your Vision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>Understand Your Bandwidth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>Budget<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>A Note On Kids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>The Preparation Begins<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Guest List<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>Food<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>The Table Setting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>And Now, The Grand Finale<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Holiday](\"https:\/\/www.themagnoliacompany.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/hospitality-table-setting.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Before They Arrive\u2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>They\u2019re Here!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>There You Have It: Hosting 101!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n