It’s that time of year where most of us are starting to make plans for the holidays and some of you will get the pleasure (I hope!) of hosting people in your home. The holidays are busy so I like to prioritize the simplest items that will move the needle the most for me in my plans for hosting!
Here are a few areas of your home that you can focus on to make hosting go a bit smoother.
Entryway
In a perfect world, you would always hear the doorbell and be able to jump to greet all of your guests. But sometimes during busy gatherings, we get wrapped up in conversations or we’ve stepped out on the patio and our guests have to step inside and make themselves at home. I love to create inviting entryways that let guests do that. Give them a great bench, a mirror to straighten their hair, and a place to hang up their coat and let the environment do the welcoming for you!
You can find these products (and more!) in my curated Welcoming Entry Collection.

Extra Seating
Have you ever been somewhere where there wasn’t a place to sit down? Maybe you entered a room and all the seats were taken. How about having some extra seating on hand that allows all of your guests to sit together in your living spaces? The classic that our parents always used was the folding chair for the holidays. But here are a few other ideas for some small scale seating options that can easily push under a console table or store in a closet when they’re not being used.
You can find these products (and more!) in my curated Extra Seating Collection below:

Island Buffet Tablescape
Many people serve their holiday meals buffet style from the kitchen island. Your island tablescape can purely functional, but it doesn’t take a lot of effort to also make it beautiful. How about incorporating some small pedestals for some height variation in your spread? Or maybe mix in some textural elements like wood bowls or charcuterie boards? Don’t forget to add some shiny things like brass serving utensils or glass candle chargers. If you want to take things “next level” this holiday season, you could consider comfy stools or upgrading your pendant lights.
You can find these products (and more!) in my curated Island Buffet Collection.

1 – Amber Glass Vase + Faux Greens
2 – Striped Wood Cutting Board
3 – Dough Bowl
6 – Wood Bowl
7 – Arches Bowl
8 – Brass Pitcher
As you plan your holiday festivities, remember that nobody wants to leave your house feeling impressed. They want to feel cared for and loved.
“What we’re looking for is connection, not perfection” – Dr. Curt Thompson
Could I help you create an impressive home? 100% Yes. I do delight in creating something beautiful that people feel at ease in and enjoy. But often good design isn’t about just adding “more”, it’s about focusing on the important and letting the rest go. Check out my post about the Beauty of Less for more on that!
When it comes down to it, you are the one who is communicating love and care in your home. We can do that by preparing well and then forgetting about our homes and ourselves and focusing our attention on the people who have chosen to grace our homes with their presence. That is truly a gift!
I hope you can slow down and savor the festivities as you are hosting for the holidays, friends!
