The holiday season opens up the opportunity to use your home—regardless of its size—to host or entertain friends and family.

Below are some of our family’s favorite hosting opportunities and why we love them.

Our Favorite Holiday Hosting Opportunities

1. Thanksgiving Dinner

This one’s obvious, but since we have multiple groups of family members from various sides and step-parents, we usually end up hosting multiple times.

2. Christmas Day Dinner

This one is one of my favorites to host because the excitement of the morning usually hits parents—and who wants to cook on Christmas? We take this as an opportunity to have my brother, his wife, and their small kids over in their PJs (usually) for dinner and gifts. I know it blesses them to not have to think about dinner time.

3. Cookie Exchanges

This is another fun one I love to put on the calendar when time allows. It’s super simple: everyone brings 2 dozen of their favorite cookie and the recipe along with a Tupperware. Then everyone gets to go through and grab 2 dozen other variations of cookies that other people brought. This one is great to have open-house style.

4. Teen Game Nights and Dinner

Have your kids invite over their friends this time of year and have a festive game night.

5. DIY Canvas Painting Party

This was such a fun party to throw for my daughter’s dance team one year. We found the free tutorial on YouTube and I had my oldest daughter kind of guide them. I set up the table with festive décor and canvases. We had the fire out back going for the moms, and hot cocoa and treats to go around. It was a ton of fun! And the canvas could be given as a gift—so bonus.

Hosting Doesn’t Have to Be Stressful

Remember, it’s about using what the Lord has provided to bless others. And there are ample ways to do that all year, but especially during the holiday season!

If the idea of hosting feels overwhelming, having a few go-to supplies can make everything run smoothly. That’s exactly why I put together my Hosting Essentials Amazon List, full of items I use myself—from cozy ambiance pieces, to serving essentials, to practical helpers that keep the flow of the evening simple.

To make hosting smoother and more enjoyable, here are my top tips.

My Top Tips for Hosting

Be prepared. Do NOT BE LAST-MINUTE! That creates stress and can be felt by your guests.
Have a seat for everyone.
Clean your home and have a beautiful candle burning (Antique Candles).
Ask ahead about any food allergies.
If your guests offer to bring something, allow them, but don’t require it. When I host, I expect to provide the meal.
Pray before everyone arrives.
Have soft music playing—it sets the ambiance.
If people arrive and they don’t know each other, make sure to do introductions.
Send a follow-up text afterward to thank them for coming.
Don’t get lost in hosting that you don’t get the chance to talk and enjoy your guests. Make it a point!

As you open your home this holiday season, remember that hosting isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. Whether you’re welcoming a full house or just a few close friends, the way you create space for others truly matters. With a little preparation, a grateful heart, and the right essentials on hand, you can bless your guests and make meaningful memories. Here’s to a joyful season of opening our doors and sharing what God has given us!

Until Next Time!

Holiday Hosting: Simple Ways to Open Your Home This Season