How To Make Entertaining Easier – Part I

Are you wondering how you can make entertaining easier. Entertaining can seem daunting but it doesn’t have to be.

I have some ideas for you to make hosting friends and family fun for everyone.

First and foremost, entertaining is all about having a good time with the people that you love, whether they be family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, or just folks with who you share a mutual love for something!

Evening Autumn Entertaining Alfresco Tablescapes

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Outdoor Entertaining

Type of Entertaining

There are many types of entertaining and just like anything, it takes practice to do something well. I’ve been entertaining for 40 + years and I’m still perfecting and learning new tips and tricks.

A dining table set for holiday entertaining on a budget features an array of food, including sliced meats on a platter, a bowl of chips, and a candelabra with lit candles. A wooden box with colorful flowers decorates the scene, complemented by blue and white china in the background.

Casual Entertaining

If you’re new to entertaining in your home, I would start with the easiest type which is casual entertaining.

Casual entertaining can be either planned or impromptu

Entertaining Outdoors
Neighbors and nibbles

Is getting to know your neighbor better something you’ve been meaning to do? Send a text or ask them when you see them out and about to stop by later for a beer or glass of wine. 

Do a quick pick-up of your family room and put some beer and a bottle of wine on ice. You can offer something as simple as cheese and crackers or chips and salsa as something to munch on.

In the summer you can entertain on your back patio.  It’s a great way to get to know people better with out a lot of fuss.

CASUAL CROWDS

Having you been wanting to get to know the parents of your child’s soccer team better. Would you love to be closer to acquaintances from church?

Invite everyone to an open house from 1-4. Ask them to bring their favorite beverage to drink. Offer a few delicious appetizers and you have yourself a party. 

You can plan an activity or just have some good old fashioned conversation.

PotLuck Party

A potluck is a very fun event in which everyone invited brings a dish to pass.  It can be a as easy as a appetizer party.

It can also be a dinner party in which you supply the main course and everyone else brings the sides. 

Entertaining with Nibbles

Formal Entertaining

Formal entertaining takes more planning and is usually a more expensive proposition.

Dinner Party

A dinner party is typically for 6 to 10 people. You can send an evite but I personally like to send an invitation in the mail.

When entertaining formally you typically supply the food and drinks for the event. 

In my home a dinner parties include fresh flowers and cloth napkins at the dining room table. It’s great food, great people and a great experience. 

COCKTAIL PARTY

A cocktail party can be something you do to entertain larger crowds. It’s a great way to get together during holidays. The perfect time for a cocktail party is after the dinner hour. 

Again a formal cocktail party usually means that you supply the food and drinks. 

Create an appetizer table with a few heavy appetizers if people are drinking alcohol.

A cocktail party bar offering can be just wine and beer but can also mean a full home bar set-up. I always offer non-alcoholic beverages for those who would like that option.

Reasons to Entertain

Holiday Entertaining

This can look very different depending on how you want to entertain.  It can be family, friends, or both. Here are some event theme ideas:

Christmas

  • Snacks & Refreshments
  • Cookie Exchange
  • Holiday Dinner
  • Holiday Cocktail Party
  • Santa’s Secret Gift Party
  • Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

4th of July * Memorial Day * Labor Day

Special Occasion Entertaining

Other Occasions

three christmas martinis

Over the Top Entertaining

We’ve had some larger gatherings where we have entertained well over 100 people. It typically was on the 4th of July or the summer months when we can depend on good weather.

  • M*A*S*H Party – complete with tanks, stretcher races, the swamp – probably our craziest, most fun party
  • Christmas in July – Including Santa
  • Hawaiian Luau – Roasted a whole pig
  • Mexican Fiesta – Strolling Mariachi Band
  • Lobster Fest – Judged the taste of Lobster from around the world
  • Wedding – “Handy” and I and Annie and Tommy both got married in our back yard.
  • 50th Anniversary – We hosted my parents 50th Anniversary vow renewal and party
An elderly couple stands under a white arbor by the lakeside, exchanging vows with ease. The officiant reads as guests are seated nearby. Trees and houses frame the tranquil setting, enhancing the serene atmosphere of this heartfelt celebration.
All the guests seated for dinner under the tent at the backyard wedding.
tablescape with a harvest theme with outdoor lights draped over the table in the back yard
friends gathering around a table eating at a perfect summer party
An elderly couple stands under a white arbor by the lakeside, exchanging vows with ease. The officiant reads as guests are seated nearby. Trees and houses frame the tranquil setting, enhancing the serene atmosphere of this heartfelt celebration.

Things to Remember about Entertaining

Entertaining can be stressful but depending on your comfort level you can keep it relatively stress-free by being prepared and choosing the type of entertaining that suits your lifestyle. In Part 2 we will chat about party prep. Being prepared is the #1 way to ease the stress of entertaining.

Holiday Entertaining

Entertaining can also affect your budget, however, you can keep it relatively inexpensive by choosing food/refreshments that are gentle on the pocketbook. Popcorn and frozen pizza are just as acceptable as prime rib. The idea is to have fun and make your guests feel welcome. For us, the joy and fellowship have always outweighed the cost. It has become something that we incorporate into our yearly family budget.

What’s up Next!

Next week I will write about prepping for guests.

“How to Entertain with Ease – Part 2 – Preparation Timeline.

A small kitchen counter features a chalkboard sign that says "take a sprig of mint," a plate of fresh mint leaves, a crystal bowl with sugar cubes, and a blue-rimmed bowl with lemon slices. Scissors are placed on the mint plate.

Entertaining Made Easy Series

As I thought about entertaining with ease, it dawned on me that this just has to be a series. All the things that I can share about entertaining would be very long, so I want to break it up into four parts.

When you decide you want to entertaining in your home, you need to decide what is most comfortable for you. Again, the real purpose of entertaining is spending time with those you love.

Peace and Love,

A blue background with hand-drawn elements sets the stage. A heart symbol flanked by two lines adds charm, while the text "Lynn xoxo" in cursive whispers a promise to make food prep easier and more delightful.
A dark blue background with a subtle, wavy abstract line pattern running across the center, reminiscent of the flowing creativity often found when living large in a small house.
About the elderly woman: With long gray hair and glasses, she wears a white knit sweater and hoop earrings, her gentle smile radiates warmth against the plain light gray background.

Meet Me

My name is Lynn. I live in the suburbs of Chicago in a 1,300 sq. ft. home with my Handy husband, Keith.

I’m an open book about my life on my blog. You can find out more about me by visiting my About page.

about Me
A dark blue background with a subtle, wavy abstract line pattern running across the center, reminiscent of the flowing creativity often found when living large in a small house.
A dark blue background with a subtle, wavy abstract line pattern running across the center, reminiscent of the flowing creativity often found when living large in a small house.
A dark blue background with a subtle, wavy abstract line pattern running across the center, reminiscent of the flowing creativity often found when living large in a small house.

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