8 Stress-Busting Tips For Hosting Small Gatherings — forbes.com

Does the phrase “dinner party” strike fear into your heart as a host? If so, know that you’re not alone. While traditional dinner parties can be beautiful and rewarding, big, special-occasion affairs can also cause stress — and they’re not the only way to host. Imperfect, casual gatherings are what we will focus on here, and these eight tips should help keep the pressure off. 1. Make as much of the meal as possible in advance. Some recipes can be made entirely in advance and reheated before guests arrive; most can at least be partially prepped in advance (for instance, veggies washed and chopped). You can even fill the coffeepot and teakettle so they’re ready to go after dinner. Getting as much done before guests arrive as you can is greatly calming — if something goes awry, you’ll have time to make something else or grab a store-bought substitute.

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