The holidays are almost upon us, and if you’re prepping to host an event, the panic may be setting in. Keep calm and merry on with our guide to hosting the holidays in style with local pride.

The invites

Whether you’re inviting friends, close family, or the whole neighborhood, your guests need to know what to expect.

E-vites are easy, but real paper invitations have an old-school charm — plus, your guests can keep them as a cherished memory of your evening together. Go all out with a custom invitation from Macon York Press.

The menu

Whether you want to show off with a five-course dinner or want to be as lazy as possible, there are important considerations for curating your meal:

Do your own cooking | Want to whip up a dish that tastes like home? Browse cookbooks written by a Land of the Sky local for inspiration.

Share the love | A potluck is a great way to get everyone involved + divvy up the labor. We suggest the host provide the entree, leaving the sides up to the guests.

Dietary restrictions | If you need help navigating different diets, we have guides to Asheville's vegan + vegetarian and gluten-free dining scene.

Bring in the experts | There are plenty of amazing chefs + restaurants to tap for catering, like Friends and Neighbors, Guajiro, and Red Fiddle Vittles, to name a few.

There's no such thing as an average cocktail in Asheville. | Photo via Golden Hour

The setup

You know the vibe — holidays are supposed to give that warm + fuzzy feeling. Here are some tips to get people comfy:

Playlist | Add some local flavor to your playlist with these Hall of Fame artists with Asheville ties.

Drinks | Set up a build-your-own drink station, procuring spirits from a local distillery like Chemist or Eda Rhyne, beers from a local brewery, and vino from Addison Farms Vineyard or a local bottle shop like Table Wine.

Ambient lighting | As the queen of Christmas herself declared, overhead lighting is so out. Light some locally-made candles to set a much cozier mood — the Southern Highland Craft Guild has a vast selection of beeswax candles and decorative holders, or opt for a stunning scent from Laurel Falls Candles (birch is our fav).

Centerpieces | Instead of one giant floral arrangement on the table that gets in the way, consider having several small ones in vases scattered throughout your space. Luckily, we have plenty of local shops like Carolina Flowers (they also have wreath workshops), Flora, and Pollen that can make you the perfect bouquets.

The wind down

Congrats on your successful event. Send guests home with a handwritten “Thank you” card from Whist or a local gift basket.

Have other local hosting recs? Let us know.