Cary Prince Organizing Holiday Entertaining in Your Home

We love entertaining for the holidays. It’s such a wonderful time of year to gather with family and friends. Admittedly, preparing for a party – dinner, cocktail or otherwise – can be stressful. Not only do you have to shop, prep and cook, your home needs to be “party ready.” So much to do! To make things easier for you, we’re going to share our 5 steps for organizing your home for holiday entertaining.

STEP ONE: Tidy your living spaces

Spruce up the areas where guests will gather. This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s a great place to start. Tidy the dining room and living room. If you’re going to be outside, wipe down outdoor furniture. Guests often gather in the kitchen, so make sure to clear the kitchen counters.

STEP TWO: Prep your entryway

Let’s make your front entrance welcoming to guests. This is a good time to put away your belongings (shoes, bags, mail), add extra hangers to a coat closet or clear a surface for guests to leave their belongings. (If you’re having a big party, an empty bed is a good depository.) Consider lighting a candle to create a cozy vibe by your entrance. We adore Tatine candles. Garden Mint is especially delicious. If you’re feeling motivated to give your entryway a pre-party makeover, check out our blog post on organizing your entryway.

STEP THREE: Stock the guest bathroom

Ensure that your guest bathroom is stocked with soap, extra toilet paper and tissues. We like using disposable guest towels during a party. Check out Napkins 2 Go for its great selection. Before any party, we also like to give our bathroom a quick wipedown with Mrs. Meyer’s surface cleaner. Lemon Verbena is our fave – it smells amazing. And why not light a scented candle? It creates a nice touch (and moody lighting)!

STEP FOUR: Take inventory

Review your table linens, dinnerware, glassware, and flatware. Make sure everything is in good shape and that you have enough for the size of your party. Feel free to let go of stained or chipped items. If you’re in the market for new table linens, Quince has a gorgeous, well-priced selection of European linen napkins and runners in a variety of colors. Crate & Barrel’s Merrow Stitch Crisp Organic Cotton napkins are a classic choice. Nickey Kehoe also has a wonderfully curated selection of table linens. We’re swooning over their azure blue tablecloth. And the Musetta Linen Napkins and runner from Lulu and Georgia are festive and fun.

STEP FIVE: Think decor

How are you going to decorate? Do you want a flower arrangement on the dining table or a beautiful bowl of fruit? Do you have enough candles? This fall, we’re loving candles in moodier shades like Bordeaux and Moss in these tapers from Pottery Barn paired with antique brass candle holders like this trio from Crate & Barrel

BONUS STEP: Set up a bar

Creating a bar area can be as simple as setting a tray on the kitchen counter with drinks, mixers, garnish, napkins and glassware. This will make it a snap to prepare drinks for guests or let them help themselves. Any tray will do, but if you’re in the market for a new one, Pottery Barn’s Bleeker Glass Bar Tray will kick your party off in style. And we are huge fans of Ethnicraft trays from Urban Natural. They’re a work of art.

We hope these tips and ideas will help you get ready to entertain! Having a go-to check list can definitely help. If you have too much on your plate, that’s where we can come in! We love helping clients get ready for the holidays, whether it’s hanging lights or prepping for a dinner party. If you need us, we’re here for you! Please feel free to reach out. Happy Entertaining!

For added inspiration while getting organized for your holiday entertaining, check out my video and blogs below, filled with key tips and tricks to make those holiday gatherings more festive and memorable:

And if you’re staring down at a growing gift list, have no fear! Here are my favorite holiday gifts that friends and family will love… and actually use:

And, if you have a clever organizing solution, I’d love to hear about it! Drop me a line on Instagram or Facebook.

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