Party Like a Pro: Stress-Free Hacks for Holiday Hosting
Gina Powell is a seasoned event planner and the visionary behind Profete Events, a boutique event planning company renowned for creating unforgettable experiences. With 20 years expertise in orchestrating everything from intimate gatherings to grand celebrations, Gina knows how to turn the chaos of holiday hosting into a seamless and joyful process. Her philosophy? Thoughtful planning is the secret to success.
“The holiday season is fast approaching, bringing with it the time for hosting, toasting, and sharing joy. But let’s be honest—sometimes all this festivity can make you want to retreat under a cozy blanket until January 2nd,” she explains. “Don’t worry! There’s no need to stress. The magic lies in planning—a principle I swear by. As I always say to anyone who will listen: IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN, YOU PLAN TO FAIL.”
Gina’s days are all about crafting thoughtful strategies that make every event run smoothly. “A good plan isn’t just about scheduling; it’s about getting the details right,” she says. “It’s all about the steps you take to make sure your activity is successful and you stay sane before, during, and after. That’s the secret.”
For example, when orchestrating a holiday celebration at home or planning an event for clients, Gina meticulously outlines every detail—including her attire—on a spreadsheet. “Oh, how I adore a well-structured spreadsheet!” she exclaims. Leaving nothing to chance, Gina prioritizes tasks that can be swiftly accomplished, freeing up time for the heavier lifting and unexpected challenges. This year, she decorated her Thanksgiving table the night before. “No one needed it prior,” she says, “and should everything go to hell in a cornucopia, at least the first sight that greets guests would be a stunning tablescape.”
To help you master the art of stress-free holiday hosting, Gina has compiled her top six tips. These strategies are designed to lighten your duties and amplify the merriment because the season is all about friends, family, and spreading joy!
1. Craft a Loose Agenda
Create a party timeline—even if it’s just for you. Time food service to coincide with when guests will be hungry, and allow intervals between appetizers and the main course. Set up an open-ended activity for guests to enjoy at their leisure. For Thanksgiving, I hung a tree with branches on the wall and set up a table with construction paper and markers. Guests traced their hands, wrote their names and what they were grateful for, and taped their creations to the tree. It’s now a cherished decoration I display year after year. (Pro tip: Be flexible! If the party vibe is flowing, don’t force planned activities like charades.)
2. Pre-Set Everything You Can
Set up table settings, lounge areas, craft tables, and more the day before. If time is tight or it’s not suitable to have everything “show-ready” ahead of time, at least arrange materials where they’ll be needed so everything is at your fingertips. This applies to baking or food prep that can be done a day or two in advance. (Pro tip: Pre-setting allows you to double-check for anything that needs cleaning or replacing, giving you time to remedy it!)
3. Skip Cooking and Order Sushi
Consider ordering trays of sushi rolls. This option caters to various dietary needs (gluten-free, vegetarian, kosher, and cooked alternatives for those wary of raw fish), looks beautiful, and leaves your guests thinking you’re a gourmet host! (Pro tip: Transfer sushi from restaurant platters to your own trays for a more personal touch.)
4. Don’t Forget the Bathrooms
Whether hosting a small gathering or a lavish event, make the bathrooms as festive as the rest of your space. Add fresh flowers, set out festive hand towels, and prepare amenity baskets with essentials like Q-tips, mints, and hair ties. (Pro tip: Tailor your baskets to your audience—think wine stain removers for adults or ice packs for kids’ parties!)
5. Elevate Your Ice Game
Fancy ice cubes can elevate any drink cooler or punch bowl. Use cupcake molds, lollipop molds, or standard trays to create them. For a kid-friendly drink cooler, incorporate small toys or unbreakable ornaments. For punch bowls, use fresh or faux flowers, herbs, and berries that complement the punch’s flavors and colors. (Pro tip: Decorative ice won’t last forever, so keep a backup tray in the freezer to refresh as needed.)
6. Plan Ahead for Outings
If your heart desires to glide on the ice at Bryant Park after school one day, prepare the night before by gathering everyone’s hats, mittens, scarves, thick socks, and skates. Secure reservations in advance, check the particulars like locker rentals and fees—can you bring your own lock, or are backpacks permitted? Account for travel time with a cushion for unforeseen detours, and don’t forget to pack snacks for the journey! (Pro tip: Adults love travel snacks too!) You can even start preparations days ahead rather than waiting until the last minute.
In a Nutshell
Hosting for family, friends, or colleagues is a great responsibility and an opportunity to create magic. Take time to plan the details, don’t hesitate to ask for help, and remember to breathe. Before you know it, the season will be over, and you’ll be raising a glass to your success. Cheers to stress-free holiday hosting!
About Gina Lynn Powell:
Gina Lynn Powell is the founder of Profete Events and a distinguished event planner with over a decade of expertise in creating extraordinary experiences for luxury social and corporate clients. Known for her meticulous attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills, Gina has earned a stellar reputation in the event planning industry for delivering innovative, unforgettable events that exceed expectations. With a talent for thriving in fast-paced environments, Gina expertly manages every aspect of event planning, including vendor coordination, budget oversight, detailed timeline creation, and ensuring flawless execution. Her ability to stay composed under pressure and seamlessly adapt to last-minute changes sets her apart as a leader in her field. Combining creativity with a keen eye for design, Gina consistently transforms her clients’ visions into spectacular realities, leaving a lasting impression on every guest.