@amyshamblen
The only thing worse than being ill-prepared for a party you are hosting is looking and feeling like shit while you are ill-prepared for hosting the party. Good news! After you read this post, you are going to be the hottest, most relaxed host your family and friends have ever seen!
Raise your hand if you have ever hosted an event or holiday and barely made it to your bedroom to get your party dress and face on. (Um, I am raising mine.) Who has time to create that perfect party when you are burning the candle at both ends, raising kids and working and doing everything else?! I am always scrambling as the hostess, in fact, I am a bit of an adrenaline junkie when it comes to doing everything at the last minute. How can I prioritize myself when I’ve put zero effort toward it and time is a luxury I simply do not have? Who does? That is the point of this post. We can host AND feel sexy and do it with ease and grace…as long as we plan ahead.
Consider this list your self-care guide to hostessing:
Shit will go wrong–“done” is better than “perfect”. You cannot control every aspect of the party and things are bound to go wrong. Let it go wrong. Let it go. And, as far as achieving perfection. Well, that’s just not possible. Boom!
Know what you are wearing. This is a simple task that can be checked off your to-do list long before your party. Whether you are shopping in your closet or purchasing something new for the affair, get it done early. Like, a month early. Make sure its pressed, accessorized and ready to go. If you are like me and dread shopping but could desperately use a new outfit, I suggest the shopping subscription, Trunk Club.
Set your grooming appointments in advance. Manicure, blowout, etc. Book the appointments in advance for the week of your event or holiday. When the time comes for you to get pretty, you won’t be scrambling to get an appointment because yours will have already been made and you won’t be waiting in line.
Book the cleaning lady for the day after. OMG! If you ignore everything else I say and only listen to this one bit of advice, you will be golden! Book a cleaning lady for the party aftermath. It will be the first time you have relaxed in a month, and you will be left with a pristine home. That right there is good for the soul.
Hire a party stylist. Yeah, you heard it here first. You can have your party or event completely planned out for you. Everything from grocery lists and party styling to Amazon orders, pin boards, and playlists. A small price to pay for a stress-free and organized event.
Use online grocery delivery services. Prepare your grocery lists and put them into your VIRTUAL shopping cart. You don’t even have to leave your house which means you will have more time for you! Amazon Fresh and food delivery service apps like Instacart are your friends. If you haven’t tried any of the home-grocery-delivery services that are available and you are one of those people that hates grocery shopping, what are you waiting for? Take advantage of these modern luxuries!
Meditate, walk, workout. Whatever your form of physical activity and mindful practice is, do it no matter what. That time, however long it is, is yours and only yours. Don’t neglect yourself. That practice is a priority and it will be the thing that carries you through the day.
If all else fails, get plowed.
xo,
Michelle
Love this article! And how sweet of you to include us! ❤️
This is a great article! May I add another idea? A few years ago we hired a “hostess” and a bartender for our Christmas party. They were a godsend! Our hostess kept the food table stocked and cleared plates and cleaned up. Because of her, I actually had time to spend enjoying our guests! (A real first!) And the bartender — well, he kept everyone’s beverages filled. It was worth every cent!