How to host a stress-free summer evening

Do you know that feeling? You plan to keep your birthday or dinner small and quiet… but once the planning starts, you can’t help but get a little too excited? Because honestly, there’s nothing better than bringing people together, sharing laughter, and enjoying a long evening together.

After years of hosting (and, to be honest, plenty of stressing), I’ve learned a few ways that make sure the host can relax too. And I’d love to share them with you—so your next evening with friends is just as fun for you as it is for your guests.

Prepping is key!

There's always more work involved than you think. Start preparing well in advance so you have as little to do as possible on the night itself.

• Choose dishes you've made before. Experimenting might be better left for another time.

• Go for something that's mostly pre-prepared, so all you have to do is set it up or pop it in the oven. This way you avoid spending half the evening in the kitchen.

• Maybe I’m the only one who kept underestimating this (and maybe it’s stating the obvious), but I’ll say it anyway. Even if you’re setting the table on your own, take a moment to calmly put all the dips into little bowls and slice the bread yourself (I always find pre-sliced bread so sadly thin, so we do it ourselves). It's the easiest, but it takes some time too. 

• A cocktail or a drink in that quiet moment before the storm—I’ll admit, it doesn’t always happen. But whenever it does, it feels so much more relaxed. After all the preparations, pouring a glass for yourself (and your partner) before the guests arrive creates a small pause, and the chance to share the very first toast together.

   
  

Make it self-service

Are you hosting – like me this summer – an evening in the garden?
Provide a set-up where guests can help themselves to drinks and snacks.
For example, I rented an ice bar and set up large champagne coolers full of ice. Don't forget to provide plenty of water, too; use a large Kerh pitcher for this. It's a pretty eye-catcher and functional.

The best thing about this:

• You don't have to ask twenty people at once what they want to drink.

• At most, you pour the first drink, after which everyone takes care of it themselves so you don't have to keep asking if everyone has been served.

Let go of the idea of perfect

A beautifully styled table is of course fantastic, and it’s always something to strive for, but in the end, it’s not about perfection. This is still very much a learning point for me.
I want everything to be just right, but I have to keep reminding myself: people come for you and the atmosphere.

So:

• Don’t stress if one dish fails or if you forgot something. Don’t worry if you could’ve used one more baguette (or if you ended up with six too many).

• Just use that white tablecloth, even if you notice last minute that the stain from your last dinner didn’t quite come out. (Honestly, I have no idea how people manage to keep tablecloths looking new—if you have a tip beyond stain removers, please share!)

• Enjoy the moment, and always make sure you’re ready for leftovers day the next morning.

My biggest tip: create a setting where you can relax too. Ultimately, it's all about enjoying yourself and making memories, and that's what makes it a successful evening.

Do you have any crucial tips for stress-free hosting? Please leave a comment.

Planning to host a summer evening yourself? Then check out the Kerh collection for stylish pitchers, plates, and serving accessories to complete your table.