Holiday Hosting Made Easy
With the holiday hosting season approaching, it can be daunting to think of ways to succeed in having guests over. Luckily, there are many local NOLA resources that will allow you to enjoy your hosting and have you unironically saying, "Y'all, come back now. Ya hear?"
Deviled egg filling flying across kitchen counters, roasts timed more perfectly than aerospace missions, or, horror of horrors, running out of ice. This is not a sitcom but actually the stress visions that can keep many from hosting.
While these realities are all genuine difficulties that come with having guests over, hosting can reversely be a time to embrace imperfections and have fun creating an event that is just your own. In a city that loves its celebrations, there are numerous resources for out of the box ideas and ways to enjoy the party at your own event.
There is no touch quite like the rich tradition of fresh flowers and bringing this botanical element indoors is something everyone can love. Opened in 2005 by Ashley Watkins-Bateman, NOLA-FLORA features a team of experts who can help guide your floral designs for whatever event you may be catering to. While they offer beautiful arrangements, you can also find extra joy in crafting your own bouquet at their open flower market with the option to even use your own container or vase.
While they require practical purposes, kitchen wares can inspire happiness and whimsy. Celebrating 10 years of business, local gem Seasoned offers new, vintage, and up-cycled finds for a range of kitchen items. As a match service second hand shop with exceptional customer service, they offer one of a kind finds that you will treasure for years to come and will help you during all types of at home events.
Linens may not be front of mind for a check list but they are a necessity that can catch guests' eyes, ensure elegance, and are a unique way to preserve tradition. Leontine Linens offers modern twists on fully bespoke and handmade items with monograms that are art-forms and decor in themselves. Their CEO, Jane Scott Hodges, is a hosting expert and guru who, alongside her team, is able to remind clients of the importance that guests want to feel comfortable in your home and to drop notions of perfectionism. She shared an insightful tip that if you're a guest attending an event, giving a call the next day or sending a handwritten thank you note can be a thoughtful touch afterwards.
Your drink and serving ware is an essential and eye catching way to add elegance to your event. Bring a wow factor with local resource Glassblower Ben, which is also celebrating 10 years of business. Ben Dombey and his team have fully handmade products using the blown glass technique. They also have customized goods, mixing pitchers, stir sticks for drinks, and a range of colors and from clear to translucent options.
Who doesn't love to receive something fun in their mailbox? Hand mailed invitations add a special touch to your event and can also help you keep track of your guest list. Scriptura offers a vast variety of stationary and invitations to help you find what fits your theme and event while setting an artistic first impression. As a bonus, it'll bring excitement for you, as a host, to find a perfect design.
For an at home event, the last stressor that needs to be faced is playing the perfect bartender when trying to keep things running smoothly. To play your own mixologist, El Guapo Bitters offers bitters, mixers, and syrups to take out the math in drinks and pack in a flavorful punch. They now offer Demerara Syrup, made with Louisiana cane sugar. Their team, led by CEO Christa Cotton, shared, "This syrup is perfect for an Old Fashioned and can act as a richer, more toffee-like simple syrup." This, and their other selections and online recipe ideas, set the tone for festive, cozy holiday hosting.
Sometimes when hosting, the items that set a finishing touch in the kitchen may be most difficult to visualize. Nola Boards, a fabulous and sophisticated catch all, has local culinary goods and gifts. They offer beautiful woodwork pieces and a complete plethora of kitchen items. Their New Orleans-inspired items are a nice nod to hosting at home while in a city that's known for its festivities.
An instant way to make guests feel welcome in your home is through the power of smell and using candles. Wicks Nola Candle Company offers New Orleans-inspired scents, as well as unexpected and delightful twists of combinations that harness smell to craft memories. Depending on your event, they also offer mobile candle making classes for even more of a party.
While guests are there to enjoy your event and company, it can be helpful to tidy up a bit upfront so, after the event, you don't feel increased stress with regular chores in addition to party clean up. Vintage Green Review is a local business that offers a variety of cleaning supplies in zero waste, plastic free, or other sustainable options. Feel good doing your part for the planet while sprucing up your space.
Investing in a new furniture piece can be a way to inspire your hosting event, from picking up a couple extra chairs or stools that fit your space well to getting a bar cart that you've dreamt of having. Should you find yourself in the market, Disco Warehouse is a great local resource with their one of a kind selections, as well as custom furniture options and a local art gallery.
