Holiday entertaining at home
Our recent event showcasing tips and tricks from local experts
Holiday Entertaining is Upon Us!
Hosting guests in your home can be both exhilarating and, at times, a little overwhelming—whether it’s an intimate dinner party or a bustling open house.
Recently, I teamed up with Pearce Events to co-host a fabulous evening of cocktails and conversation on Chicago’s North Shore, where we shared tips and tricks for welcoming family and friends into your home for a seasonal soirée. Like our inaugural event, we invited local pros to share their expertise and insights.
For this occasion, we partnered with Babs Beitzel (Babs Bashes), Margherita Lutz (Hinsdale Table)), and Jacob Lewis (LPM Kitchen) to host a panel on everything from gathering guest preferences to the perfect table setup, knowing when to outsource versus DIY (a frantic host makes a stressed guest!), what to buy versus rent, and even how to be a chic yet comfortable host.
Here are some of our favorite tips to elevate your next holiday gathering:
Set the tone with an honest dress code. We suggested “jeans and jewel tones” for this event—a casual yet elevated nod to the holidays, perfect for a Tuesday evening
Skip the shoe drama. Asking guests to remove their shoes can throw off their carefully planned outfits. Instead, embrace their footwear choices as part of the festivities!
Comfortable hosting can still be chic. Choose easy, stylish pieces that allow you to move freely, like tailored holiday pants, festive flats, or an effortless, elegant dress.
the featured hosting pant set linked @TESTYLE1 Plan for seamless arrivals and departures. A designated coat area and a spot for winter boots ensure guests feel warmly welcomed from the start.
Little gestures go a long way. Treat guests to a thoughtful takeaway, like customized cookies, granola, or sea salt caramels. Place them by the door or ask valet attendants to include them in each car. (P.S. I’m loving the baked gifts from LPM Kitchen and personalized caramels from Good Karmal)
This was our second collaborative event, and we’re already planning quarterly gatherings for 2025—they’re just too fun to resist! If you’re local to Chicago’s North Shore and want to join the festivities, sign up for our invite list.
Here’s to hosting a joyful, stylish holiday season! Happy Thanksgiving!