Live Well Lived: Tips for hosting a stress-free gathering

We love having people at our house.  I hate cleaning.  I know, bad combination.  Over the years, we’ve figured out how to make it work for us.

1. Lower your standards.  I know…much easier said than done.  But let’s be honest.  When was the last time you stepped into a friend’s house and judge her for the half-finished train track on her floor or the breakfast dishes in her sink?  If you can remember, remind me not to let you into my house.
2. Simplify.  For us, this meant get rid of lots of stuff.  I know this isn’t rocket science but it’s so much easier to have an organized house when there’s less stuff to organize.  Have you ever noticed all those cute Pinterest ideas for organizing your wardrobe only work if you can fit all of your clothes into a single closet or dresser?  My flip flops would look great too if there were only 5 pairs.  We are working toward downsizing so that everything has a comfy home.  It means that all the trains will fit comfortably into their plastic box with no stuffing needed.  It can also mean simplifying meal ideas.
3. Always be ready.  This is not nearly as stressful as it may sound if your embrace #1 and #2.  In our house, we try to maintain the best we can.  This might mean a 10 minute power clean up of toys (which pretty much all have homes now).  It might mean wiping down your toilet and sink on a regular basis so their never overly grody.  We also keep our freezer stocked with frozen pizzas and chicken nuggets so we can always offer lunch if necessary.  Remember, low, simple standards.  No gourmet meals for guests here but we are quick to invite friends over…even if it’s last minute.
4. Make guests feel at home. As long as you can make your guests feel comfortable, they’ll come no matter what.  We’ve found that often coming to a home that feels “lived in” is comforting and makes them more comfortable to return the invite because you’ve set the bar at a reachable level.
5. Get to know your crock pot.  For dinner gatherings, we have a couple go to meals that are great for large groups.  Taco and pasta bars are two of our favorites, but you can also make awesome, large dinners in a crock pot.  Ours is a 6-quarter so it holds a ton.  My favorite recipe site is http://crockpot365.blogspot.com. 
6. Employ your kids.  And by employ, I might mean enlist.  Our kids love hosting, and we’ve helped them have ownership in the process.  It can be helping straighten up, helping with simple kitchen tasks, setting the table, greeting guests and taking coats, playing graciously with guest kids no matter the age or gender, and cleaning up after it’s all over.
7. Recover as you go.  I hate that moment when you see the tail lights fade down the driveway and look around your house at a toy-strewn living room, a sink full of dishes, and crumbs on the dining room table.  I try to have a mostly empty dishwasher that my kids can load as they help clear the meal’s dishes.  I’ve found that clearing the table and putting away food can help conversation flow better because your have something to slightly distract you.  It only take a couple minutes and then you can retire to a more comfortable setting with a glass of wine knowing that there’s only minor work to be finished on the kitchen front.

If you’ve mastered the stress-free gathering (or even if you haven’t), what are your best tips?

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