Thoughtful Things Your At-Home Holiday Party Guests Will Thank You For

A good party isn’t hard to pull off. You’ll need a good amount of food and drinks to keep guests satisfied and happily snacking, music and lighting to set the mood, and a seating area where all the talking and laughing can happen. 

But a great party —  one that raises the bar and gives your guests ideas of their own — requires a little more foresight on your end. Note that it’s not a matter of wowing guests with more. (Read: there’s really no need for a champagne glass pyramid or a string quartet!). 

Instead, study the art of thoughtful entertaining. Inject details, though subtle, that make your guests’ stay more hospitable and memorable. Small gestures that show your dinner party you’ve anticipated their needs and made the evening a truly personal one will surely earn you the crown of the holidays’ hostess with the mostest.

Here are some things you can consider to elevate your upcoming holiday get-togethers. 

Stock up your powder room

It’s a must to have a tidy toilet where guests can comfortably retreat. Cleanliness is basic but go beyond that. Breath mints and floss sticks are a nice touch to help guests freshen up privately. The last thing you want is for anybody to feel self-conscious about themselves.

Have stain removers at the ready

You don’t need to display these items, but have them on hand in case of anything unexpected. It may be unavoidable for a drop or two of wine to make it to someone’s shirt or dress (or your sofa or rug). It’ll save you the internal panic of figuring out how to get those stains out the day after when they’ve already settled! 

Keep guests warm 

Your guests are going to arrive looking their best. But as every stylish guest knows, sometimes fashionable looks aren’t always the most comfortable. At holiday parties, this likely means some guests potentially dress in clothes that look oh-so-good but lack insulation. And because you don’t want anyone looking around for your radiator, casually offer shawls that can be wrapped around shoulders or placed on laps at an appropriate time. 

Surprise guests with unexpected goodies 

Standard practice dictates that guests bring the host tokens of appreciation for welcoming them into their home. But because you’re just that awesome of a hostess, what if you did the opposite and gave them small gifts to take home? 

A cute way to do this is by incorporating personalized items in your table arrangement that are both decorative and secret gifts for them. Figurines, creative name holders, napkin rings, name cards done in calligraphy, novelty plate chargers— the ideas are endless and you’re free to think of items that match your party’s vibe. Imagine their surprise when, in saying goodbye, you hand them a little memento to end the night on an extra sweet note. 

Whatever you choose to do, do it with thoughtfulness, and you’ll never go wrong.