Summary of Hacks for Entertaining:
The Happier with Gretchen Rubin podcast discusses hacks for entertaining to make it easier and more fun. Entertaining is important for happiness as it strengthens relationships, which is crucial for happiness. The hacks include using place cards and menu cards, seating people on the ends of rectangular tables to make conversation easier, hiring help, having a theme, setting up recurring events like book clubs or lunch clubs, and co-hosting with someone else. Other hacks include making checklists, keeping the house “company ready,” embracing limitations, hosting themed potlucks, asking each guest to bring a dish, and giving yourself the job of party photographer. The goal of entertaining should be to make it entertaining.
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Hacks for Entertaining: Make Hosting Easier and More Fun
Entertaining at home is a great way to strengthen relationships and foster connection, but it can also be stressful and time-consuming. Luckily, there are plenty of hacks and tips to make hosting easier and more fun. In this article, we’ll explore some of our favorite entertaining hacks, from our own experiences and those of our listeners.
Why Entertaining Matters for Happiness
Before we dive into the hacks, it’s important to understand why entertaining matters for happiness. As Gretchen Rubin notes in her book, The Happiness Project, strong relationships and social connection are key pillars of happiness. By inviting people into our homes, we deepen our bonds and build a greater sense of belonging, which can boost our overall well-being.
Hacks for Easier and More Fun Entertaining
From handwritten place cards to pre-scooped ice cream, there are many ways to make hosting easier and more enjoyable. Here are some of our favorite hacks:
From Our Mothers
– Use place cards, and, if you’re feeling ambitious, menu cards.
– Seat people on the ends of rectangular tables, to make conversation easier.
– If you can afford to, hire someone—such as your children—to help with serving and clean-up.
– Make your own printed invitations.
From Elizabeth
– Have a theme.
– Set your event after dinner, so you provide dessert or snacks and drinks.
– Brunch is easier than dinner.
– Set up a recurring event like a book club or lunch club.
– Entertain at the last minute.
– Have a party favor.
– Co-host with someone else.
– Have a planned activity, such as mahjong, a taste party, a board game, or a podcast club.
From Gretchen
– My mantra: “It’s always the right number of attendees at a book club.”
– Look for an opportunity to celebrate—anniversary of a book group, holidays, etc.
– Need wedding readings? Click here.
Hacks from Listeners
– As discussed in a previous episode, First Lady Jill Biden suggests putting up sticky notes with suggested tasks. People can choose their own task, take the note, and you can see what remains to be done.
– Make a checklist for shopping and prep.
– Stock up ahead of time.
– Create index cards for each holiday with a menu and shopping list.
– Toss dirty dishes in a laundry basket and hide them in the bathtub before guests arrive.
– Keep your house “company ready” so that it’s easy to invite friends over.
– For kids’ birthday parties, pre-scoop ice cream into cupcake liners and put them in the freezer on a baking sheet.
– Have a birthday box containing everything you need for a birthday party in one place: balloons, a reusable happy birthday sign, birthday candles, photo props, streamers, etc.
– Run the dishwasher and empty it before guests arrive so you have somewhere to put dirty dishes as the night goes on.
– Embrace limitations, such as the number of people who will fit on your porch.
– Host a themed potluck.
– Invite another family over for take-out. Only one rule: you’re not allowed to clean up!
– Host an open-house cocktail party from 4-6 pm.
– Choose a “signature” event to host a few times a year. You develop a system, and guests look forward to it.
– Nothing beats instant brownie mix: It’s easy to customize with different ice cream flavors or mix-ins.
– Try the Aussie way of entertaining: Bring your own meat and drinks.
– Ask each guest to bring a side dish, drink, or dessert so you only have to make the main dish.
– Serve tacos—they work for meat lovers, vegans, gluten-free, dairy and nut allergies, and picky kids.
– Make it your mission to make the party go better.
– Give yourself the job of Party Photographer.
Entertaining should be entertaining! Use these hacks to make hosting easier and more fun, and don’t forget to prioritize social connection and relationship-building in the process.
