21 Tips for How to Delight Your Guests This Holiday Season

I’m obsessed with everything about this time of year—the gift-giving, the shopping, the snowflakes falling, the sparkly dresses, the twinkling lights, and, of course, the entertaining. Hosting parties is by far is one of the highlights of the season for me because I love to share all my joy (and all the pretty things I pinned) with friends and family.

Although I never hesitate to play hostess, it can be completely overwhelming at the same time. As I clean, bake, decorate, and prep to make sure everything is party-perfect, I have to remind myself that parties are meant to be fun (not stressful), and even if my food is burned and two hours late to the table, my friends and family will still love me.

Since nothing ever goes perfectly when I host for the holidays, it doesn’t hurt to have some unexpected and clever items placed strategically around the house that leave guests talking. Check out the slideshow for some things you can easily buy and add to your home that’ll totally impress your holiday guests.

Delight Your Holiday Guests

Set out Poo-Pourri for an odor free bathroom

Everyone poops. It's a common phrase I often tell my kids. Well, no one will ever have to know if/when a hostess or guest goes poo with Poo-Pourri. This fresh-scented "before-you-go toilet spray" is a must-have in my home. I set it by the toilet, and the party can go on without a foul smell when a guest has to unexpectedly use the restroom. My guests always get a good laugh out of it. Buy this Poo La La from Poo-Pourri ranging from $9.95--$24.95 (based on size).
Invest in cuddle-worthy blankets

At our house, we can never seem to have enough blankets. Morning, noon, and night, someone is snuggled under a blanket in the winter. I like to help guests feel warm and cozy with a soft, luxurious blanket. Buy this Charcoal Lush Blanket from Saranoni for $99.
Breathe in the holiday aroma

It’s one thing to see festive holiday décor all around, but when I smell scents of the holidays, all my magical childhood memories come rushing back to me. A soft yet lovely scent of the holidays always makes my guests feel right at home. Buy this Holiday Hearth Candle from Jonathan Adler for $38.
Be a good DJ

I think music can make or break a party, so a good playlist is always in order. I like to play holiday music loud, but not too loud, with a chic Bluetooth speaker that looks more like a designer candle than a speaker. Sometimes the night turns into a dance party, and that's okay with me. Buy this Kate Spade "le pavillion" Bluetooth Speaker from Nordstrom for $60.
Set out funny disposable napkins

Disposable napkins are an easy and affordable way to add a pop of color to a party. Plus, when they are as cute as these, guests will notice them and they will be a conversation starter. Amusing Cocktail Napkins from Ben’s Garden for $18 for 40.
Host a game night

I still love old-school means of having fun---the "cheap nights in" my parents always tell me about when they stayed in to play cards with their friends, otherwise known as game nights. I like to keep the fun going all night with favorite board games such as Monopoly and backgammon, card games, or other fun games like Pictionary. One of my personal favorites is Heads Up! My guests and I laugh all night when we break out this game. Buy Heads Up! from the App Store or Google Play for $.99.
Slip on some slippers

The first thing I do when I get home after a long day is take off my bra and my shoes to slip on a sweatshirt and slippers. When guests walk through the front door, surprise them with cozy slippers. Whether they are overnight guests or just dinner guests, it’s a nice touch with cold temperatures outside. Plus, the slippers are machine washable, so they can be used again. Buy these Luxury Plush Slippers from Restoration Hardware for $32.
Keep coffee stocked and mugs ready to use

But first, coffee! Am I right or am I right? I love to start my day with coffee in my cream, and sometimes I like to end my night at a party with a cup of joe. Whether my guests like it black or sweet or perhaps prefer tea, I like to have a variety of hot caffeinated and non-caffeinated beverages available to them. A warm beverage always delights guests in the winter. Buy these Monogram Mugs from Anthropologie for $8.
Always make sure you have an extra toothbrush on hand

I’ve been known to forget my toothbrush for overnight sleepovers on a regular basis. I like to always have an extra toothbrush, whether I am expecting overnight guests or not. I never know if a guest has too much to drink during dinner and needs to spend the night. These toothbrushes are not only a necessity, but they are adorable, too, and guests certainly appreciate them. Don't forget to buy a travel-sized tube of toothpaste. If a guest forgets to pack his/her toothbrush, the toothpaste is likely to have been forgotten, too. Buy this Bamboo Guest Toothbrush set from Izola for $16.
Place a carafe with a glass on the nightstand

I love to go to bed with water on my nightstand. I assume my guests like water next to them as they settle into bed, too. I like to save guests from making a trip downstairs in an unfamiliar house in the dark, so I place a carafe and cup next to their bed. So, when they get thirsty in the middle of the night, a sip is just an arm’s reach away. Buy this Oasis Bed Carafe with Glass from Crate and Barrel for $24.95.
Make sure food is easily accessible

I eat all the time. I'm a 24/7 snacker, so I tend to pack snacks everywhere I go. For someone like me, there is nothing worse in the morning than waking up in a friend's home with a grumbling stomach. I don't want a hangry guest, so I like to keep a bowl or tray with fresh fruit, granola bars, and nuts on the counter so my guests can help themselves any time of day. Buy this Antler Handled Serving Platter from Pottery Barn for $49.
Create a beautiful centerpiece

I love flowers, and if I could afford a fresh vase weekly, I would be a happy lady. But the reality is that flowers are expensive, and weekly flower deliveries only live in my dream budget. Good news, moms---you can still achieve a beautiful centerpiece for your evening of entertaining with just a white vase, red berries (fake or real), and fresh greenery. Just step outside to cut some fresh greenery, and once your centerpiece is complete, throw all the excess trim out with a Glad trash bag. Buy a Pure White Ceramic Vase from West Elm for $23--$27.
Employ cutlery pouches to keep silverware together

I believe there is joy in the little details, and guests will find delight in them, too. So even if my food is a total bomb, at least my place settings will be adorable with a cutlery holder with a built-in name tag. Buy these Jute Cutlery Pouches from Terrain for $38 for a set of 8.
Say cheese with a solid cheese plate

I could eat cheese all day, every day. Goat, gouda, or brie---yum! I like to share my cheese with the people I love, so guests are no exception. Guests can enjoy various cheeses with an affordable slate cheese board, where they can also learn the who, what, or where about the cheese they are about to eat, because this board comes with food-safe soapstone chalk to doodle. No more guessing followed by an "Eww, this is gross" face. I like to have crackers, both gluten-free and regular, close by. You can buy the Slate Cheese Plate from World Market for $14.99.
Make it a movie night

My holidays are not complete until I watch some of my favorite holiday movies. Every year I watch them, and every year they get me in the holiday spirit and make me happy. Some of my favorites include The Holiday, Love Actually, and The Family Man. Who can leave out Home Alone, Miracle on 34^th Street, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation? If guests want to stay in for the night, pop some popcorn and make it a movie night, or stack these holiday movies in their room just in case they want to watch a movie in bed. If kids are invited, I like to have holiday favorites on hand like The Grinch Who Stole Christmas or The Santa Clause for a couple of kid-free hours. Buy theses movies from Amazon for $9--$15.
Set the bar high with a bar tray

Everything looks more organized when it's on a tray, including a bar. I want a bar cart, but because I'm limited on space, a bar tray is second best. Before guests arrive, I stock the bar with a wide variety of liquor. My list of bar must-haves includes red wine, white wine, beer, vodka, whiskey, and scotch. Don’t forget all the mixers such as tonic water, lemons, limes, cranberry juice, soda, and orange juice. Here’s another great tip that will impress your guests---I like to buy local favorites that I can introduce my guests too. I live in Colorado, so my favorite local distillery is 10^th Mountain Whiskey, and my favorite local brew is Colorado Native from Coors. Don’t forget the gluten-free folks---my guests also enjoy potato vodka and gluten-free beer. Buy this White Lacquer Tray from West Elm for $47.
Put it on ice

I like to keep everything cold with ice in a chic ice bucket. This one requires no prep---just buy ice, fill the container, and that's it. Guests will be so happy to sip cocktails all evening and not have to dig through a disorganized freezer (that would be mine). Buy this Mid-Century Entertaining Ice Bucket from West Elm for $31.
Elevate your drink tags

I’ve been known to set my drink down at a party and lose it forever. With winter germs, I like to keep my drink to myself and let my guests keep theirs. These pens make it easy for me to mark the glasses ahead of time, or you can wait for guests to write their names upon arrival. Buy this Wine Glass Writers set of three from Sur la Table for $9.95.
Set up a merry and bright backdrop

I have an obsession with photo backdrops, so a merry and bright backdrop for the holiday excites me. It's a fun surprise for guests and a great way to remember an evening of fun and laughter. Photo booths bring out the silliness in people, which always makes for a memorable evening. Don't forget store-bought or homemade props. If it's a kid-friendly party, this will entertain the kids for hours. Buy this Alford Park No. 3 backdrop from Minted for $230.
Bake homemade cookies

I'm Italian, so I know the way to people's hearts---it's through their stomachs! There is nothing like homemade cookies with a glass of cold milk. When I bake cookies, I like to make it a family activity (with clean hands, of course) and enlist the kiddos to help. If you can't find the time to bake, pay someone who will or stop by the local bakery. I like to proudly display my homemade treats in a jar on the counter and serve with milk for dessert. Buy this Homemade Cookie Jar from Crate and Barrel for $24.95.
Give a small parting gift

I like to give my guests a little favor to remind them of our home in the mountains, and I like to support local small businesses. Ornaments are a thoughtful gift during the holidays, and guests always remember little touches of kindness. Buy the Pine Tree Ornament from Sage 8 Studio for $10.