Are you feeling daunted by the idea of organizing a holiday get-together? There's no need to stress over having flawless decor or preparing an extravagant multi-course dinner. The solution? Host a holiday open house! During this busy time of year, hosting an open house provides a relaxed setting for friends and family to come together, taking the pressure off everyone. Your guests won’t feel as obligated to attend or stay long, and hosts can spend more time mingling with guests.

Planning

Although this type of holiday gathering is more laid-back, a bit of planning is still necessary. Begin by selecting a date, ideally in early December, as the season tends to get busier as the month goes on. Forgo the traditional invitation and opt for an email or text instead. Let your guests know that they are welcome to drop by at their convenience within a specified time frame. Weekend afternoons from 2-6pm are a great choice. This gives most people the chance to attend and is the perfect in-between lunch and dinnertime. Use our holiday open house checklist below to make sure you have all the supplies you need.

The Food & Drink

The beauty of the open house is that you don’t even have to cook if you don’t want to! Even though you’re the host, you deserve to enjoy yourself just as much as your guests, so don’t worry about wasting your time fussing in the kitchen. You can create memorable fare with minimal effort, leaving you more time enjoy the company of your guests. Think small bites and things that are easy to graze on. The key here is to keep it simple.  

Start by deciding on a signature cocktail and premix it ahead of time. Set up a bar cart or a drink station with all the supplies for your guests to serve themselves. If you want to really make it memorable, craft an herb infused simple syrup. Just boil 1 cup of sugar in 1 cup of water and add an herb like rosemary, thyme or basil. Have fresh springs of whatever herb you choose for your simple syrup for your guests to garnish their drinks with. Let your guests know what’s being served by having a chalkboard stand with the drink’s name and instructions on how to prepare. It’s also nice to have a tea and coffee station for those who don’t drink.

When it comes to party food, you can’t go wrong with charcuterie boards! They require no cooking, are easy to put together and not to mention beautiful! Filled with an assortment of cheeses, breads, spreads, fruits, crackers, olives, cured meats and nuts there’s so many different combinations you can create. Visit your local specialty cheese and wine shops that sell imported goods for unique finds that will leave a lasting impression on your guests. Have multiple boards set up in different spots to prevent overcrowding. Add a few rosemary springs to make it festive as a finishing touch.

The Atmosphere

There are some years we just don’t have the time or energy to go all out with our holiday decor, but you shouldn’t let that stop you from opening your doors for a gathering! There are simple things we can do to create a festive atmosphere and elevate our holiday gatherings. Create a well-rounded experience by considering all 5 senses.

Sight: Throw up a few string lights or have the fireplace going for that cozy, warm glow. Place winter berry branches in vases and baskets and drape evergreen garland over framed art and mirrors. Hang a wreath on the front door to create an inviting scene. Even something as simple as a bowl of pinecones adds a festive touch!

Sound: It’s not a party without some music to set the tone. Have a holiday playlist going in the background. Create your own or find one you like. Sleigh bells hung on the front door creates a welcoming chime when people enter, and lets you know more guests have arrived!

Scent: There’s nothing quite like scent to connect us to time and place. Delight your guests by lighting seasonally scented candles to enhance the holiday vibes. Balsam, cedarwood, citrus, bayberry, and spice are all classic holiday scents that you can never go wrong with!

Touch: Adding layers to your space with throw blankets draped over furniture or in baskets creates an inviting, lived-in feel, encouraging your guests to wrap up and get cozy. Make your seating areas even more cheery with some seasonal throw pillows!

Taste: Have little bowls or platters of candies and nuts placed around your space for your guests to nibble on.

The essence of the holiday season lies in cherishing time spent together. In a world where social media often presents an idealized version of life, it can be tempting to feel pressured to meet unrealistic expectations. The reality is that everyone is going through their own challenges, but that shouldn’t prevent you from embracing the warmth and happiness that the holidays have to offer.

‍

‍