Holidays come with a lot of expectations — family, food, activities, gifts + more. We’re here to help you host in a way that still lets you celebrate what the season is all about.

The guest list

Whether you’re inviting friends, close family, or the whole neighborhood, you need to know what to expect. Use a free e-invite maker to get a head count and include the following info for some extra fun:

Dress code — Keep it casual by encouraging sweatpants, or photo-op ready with a specific theme.
Parking deets — Depending on your neighborhood, parking might be a real hassle. If you're near downtown, include our parking guide (your guests will love you for it).

The menu

Whether you want to show off and provide a multi-course meal or be as lazy as possible, there are important considerations for curating your food selections:

Catering — Let the food come to you. There are 500+ caterers in Seattle. The earlier you book, the better.
The menu — Want to whip up a dish that tastes like home? We recommend "Seattle Cooks" or "Pike Place Market Recipes" for some ideas.
Dietary restrictions — Find inspo from local veggie-based eats + clearly label allergens (dairy-free, gluten-free, etc.) so guests can easily identify what's safe to munch.
Share the love — A potluck is always a great way to get everyone involved + divvy up the labor.

The set up

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

Drink bar — Set out some glasses, mixers, and more for a build-your-own drink station. Guests can make a cocktail or mocktail + mingle before the real feast begins. (May we suggest a Last Word?)
Ambient lighting — Create some cozy lighting in your space with candles from Retrofit + hand-blown glass lamps from Edge of Glass Gallery.
Centerpieces — Add some flare to your tablescape with an arrangement from local florists, or thrift some eye-catching dinnerware from a nearby vintage shop.

The wind down

Your event was a success + people aren’t ready to let those good vibes go. However, it’s time to kick out those stragglers... tactfully of course:

Set boundaries — In your invite, emphasize the intended duration of your event. Feel free to mention it again as guests arrive.
Non-verbal cues — Our personal favorite is to queue "Closing Time" by Semisonic. Straight-forward + still a bop, just the way we like it.
Party favors — Pre-write “Thank you” notes on some cute stationery (we’re looking at you, MochiThings) to hand out + soften the blow of shoving them out the door. If you have a Polaroid camera, pics of your guests make a great souvenir.

If all else fails, grab a nightgown + candlestick and wander around barefoot. Worst case, guests will think you’re the ghost of a creepy Victorian child and run. Best case, people will think you’re sleepy (and a little bonkers) and politely excuse themselves.