More and more of us are hosting events at home for our loved ones. Whether it’s an intimate dinner or an actual house party (let’s bring them back!), playing host can be fun until you actually need to make your ideas come to life.
That’s where I usually falter. I want to have my friends around me and bask in all the good vibes, but I don’t really welcome the mental load of planning. It feels like a chore — just give me a perfectly curated event without the Pinterest research and two weeks of organsing, please.
So, like any good journalist, I pulled on my resources. I rallied the WHO team, and we devised a comprehensive, foolproof list of the bare-minimum things you need to be a good host.
Wave that organisation hangover goodbye.
The ‘hostess with the mostest’ works smarter, not harder
I went straight to the bougiest lady among us, Senior Lifestyle Content Producer, Miss Madison Bogisch. She gave me an equally bougie response with just two words: “Caviar bump.”
When she hosts an event, she buys a little tub of the black stuff and encourages her guests to take it like a shot off their hand.
The idea is simple — do something small to make the event feel luxe. Okay, great, can do.
Secondly, Deputy Editor Sara Tapia, brought the wisdom. Regardless of who you’re with and what you’re doing, the vibe is set by the music.
“None of this switching between songs throughout the night; the party needs to have its own perfectly curated playlist to match the vibe of the event.”
Got it, make a playlist to set the mood.
WHO’s Deputy Art Director, Gianluigi Carelli, stepped in and told me, very seriously, that a good host needs to consider the beverages being served up.
In his words, those hosting at home need to supply “good booze and good glasses to go with them”.
Of course, non-alcoholic drinks are available, but if you’re inviting Gian to your next event, best shelf a shiraz for his arrival.
Veering towards a more sentimental play, Content Producer Freja Newman pointed out that it’s important to add a personal touch to your event, and the easiest and cheapest way to do this is to buy a white tablecloth and a permanent marker.
“People can write and draw on the fabric,” she explained.
“They can leave little messages or doodles from the night, and then even when wine spills, it becomes a little memento of the evening.”
And last but not least, Saoirse Hammond, WHO’s Lifestyle Producer, encouraged hosts to always have something for guests to take home after the night is over.
“I always like to give personalised goodie bags at the end of every party with a rehydration tablet and a painkiller for the hangover, along with a handwritten note thanking them for their attendance,” she said.
Great advice, all duly noted.
Something for the host to enjoy
Clearly, I haven’t offered much contribution to this list so far, so let me step in and er… think of myself.
A good host needs to consider their outfit. It sets the mood of the evening, and we all know if you look good, you’ll feel good, and the good vibes will be passed on.
This can be tricky when you’re hosting at home, because long gone are the days we get all dolled up to host without leaving the house (or even when we do), but you also don’t want to greet your guests in pyjamas or activewear, either.
Going for something that looks tailored but is actually comfortable is the best approach.
The Australian luxury resortwear brand COMMAS has partnered with Woodford Reserve and designed The Host Tux — a first-of-its-kind garment created for fixing your ‘what should I wear dilemma’.
The secret is, it’s a menswear range, but this piece, and many others, are so wearable for women.
It’s comfy and stylish and ticks off the last ‘must do’ of hosting an event at home.
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