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Three Secrets to Easy Entertaining
by Dani Jacobs
by Dani Jacobs
I am a procrastinator. It has taken me 34 years to honestly admit it, but I am. Evidence of this is in the fact that this article is due
tomorrow, and I am sitting at my computer to write it today. To my credit, I did start writing it three weeks ago and most of it is already
written on scraps of paper towels, napkins, and various paper products throughout my home, but there is nothing but these few words
written on the actual computer.
When it comes to entertaining, however, deferring what can be done early for a later time is simply not an option. Because, honestly, what
good is having a super fun party if you can’t even enjoy it since you’re totally stressed out from cramming it all into the last second. So,
along with letting go of your procrastination tendencies, here are some easy tricks to help simplify entertaining.
First, and foremost, make a master list of everything that needs to get done and check your tasks off as you go along. EVERYTHING
should be on this list. From setting the table, to shopping for specific items, to cooking, to cleaning. NOTHING is too small for your list.
Because let’s be honest, nothing feels as good as crossing a to-do item off a list. (Well, that’s not exactly true, some things do feel as good,
but you know what I mean.)
Second, as I alluded to earlier, figure out what can be accomplished beforehand and never wait until the last minute. There is nothing worse
than spending an entire day cooking, cleaning, stressing out that you won’t get everything done in time, and praying that your friends don’t
show up even one minute before 6:00 because you have planned to be ready at 6:00 exactly. I, obviously, have been in this position too
many times but have now figured out some tips so that it won’t happen again. For instance, if you’re serving dinner, you can set the table
days in advance. For Thanksgiving, our table was set on Monday, much to the chagrin of my hockey-playing-son who had to take his net
down as I was afraid the ball might break the china. Yes, of course, my neighbors mocked me for my earliness, but it was one thing I
could take off my list. Next, choose appetizers that can be prepared early or ones that don’t need to be cooked, so you’re ready to go when
your guests arrive. Finally, choose your clothing beforehand. If you’re at all like me, I generally go through about 47 billion outfit choices,
asking my husband about each one, which according to him all look “fine.” The trick is to do the fashion show before the big night, so you
can pop out of the shower and simply get dressed instead of going through the drama of the clothing gala.
Third, take help from your friends if they offer. There is really no need to be a martyr and do it all yourself. No one minds bringing an
appetizer. Asking someone else to put ice into water glasses does not make one a bad hostess; it simply frees you up to get something else
done. As my sister-in law says, “people like tasks”; by nature, we like having a purpose, even if it is something as simple as clearing the
dessert dishes off the table.
So, that’s it. A few simple tips to make your next party one that not only your guests, but you, as well, will enjoy! Like me, you may
simply need to temporarily say good-bye to the procrastinator within.
Dani Jacobs is home interior expert and co-owner of Solace Design. She can be reached at
(612)210-9343 or through e-mail at Danielle@Solace-Design.com
tomorrow, and I am sitting at my computer to write it today. To my credit, I did start writing it three weeks ago and most of it is already
written on scraps of paper towels, napkins, and various paper products throughout my home, but there is nothing but these few words
written on the actual computer.
When it comes to entertaining, however, deferring what can be done early for a later time is simply not an option. Because, honestly, what
good is having a super fun party if you can’t even enjoy it since you’re totally stressed out from cramming it all into the last second. So,
along with letting go of your procrastination tendencies, here are some easy tricks to help simplify entertaining.
First, and foremost, make a master list of everything that needs to get done and check your tasks off as you go along. EVERYTHING
should be on this list. From setting the table, to shopping for specific items, to cooking, to cleaning. NOTHING is too small for your list.
Because let’s be honest, nothing feels as good as crossing a to-do item off a list. (Well, that’s not exactly true, some things do feel as good,
but you know what I mean.)
Second, as I alluded to earlier, figure out what can be accomplished beforehand and never wait until the last minute. There is nothing worse
than spending an entire day cooking, cleaning, stressing out that you won’t get everything done in time, and praying that your friends don’t
show up even one minute before 6:00 because you have planned to be ready at 6:00 exactly. I, obviously, have been in this position too
many times but have now figured out some tips so that it won’t happen again. For instance, if you’re serving dinner, you can set the table
days in advance. For Thanksgiving, our table was set on Monday, much to the chagrin of my hockey-playing-son who had to take his net
down as I was afraid the ball might break the china. Yes, of course, my neighbors mocked me for my earliness, but it was one thing I
could take off my list. Next, choose appetizers that can be prepared early or ones that don’t need to be cooked, so you’re ready to go when
your guests arrive. Finally, choose your clothing beforehand. If you’re at all like me, I generally go through about 47 billion outfit choices,
asking my husband about each one, which according to him all look “fine.” The trick is to do the fashion show before the big night, so you
can pop out of the shower and simply get dressed instead of going through the drama of the clothing gala.
Third, take help from your friends if they offer. There is really no need to be a martyr and do it all yourself. No one minds bringing an
appetizer. Asking someone else to put ice into water glasses does not make one a bad hostess; it simply frees you up to get something else
done. As my sister-in law says, “people like tasks”; by nature, we like having a purpose, even if it is something as simple as clearing the
dessert dishes off the table.
So, that’s it. A few simple tips to make your next party one that not only your guests, but you, as well, will enjoy! Like me, you may
simply need to temporarily say good-bye to the procrastinator within.
Dani Jacobs is home interior expert and co-owner of Solace Design. She can be reached at
(612)210-9343 or through e-mail at Danielle@Solace-Design.com
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