With the New Year comes new opportunities to host events and dinners which build connections and create a sense of community within our military circles. We know not everyone shares a passion for entertaining or cooking, and it can be intimidating to step out of your comfort zone and take on the role of host.

If you are considering hosting friends or unit colleagues in your home and are unsure where to start or what to serve, the M:M Traditions and Protocol Team offers suggestions and encouragement in this blog to help you feel more confident as a host. As you read through previous blogs from our team, many of the suggested tools may become part of your entertaining routine! 

Hosting an event can be stressful, especially if you’re not used to it.

Don’t feel like you have to host a fancy, elaborate event right away, you can gradually build up to larger occasions. By starting with something small and manageable, like inviting a few friends over for a potluck dinner or game night, you will gain confidence and experience.

Planning ahead and being organized is a great way to gain confidence. Make a list of all the things you need to do and do them as far in advance as possible. We have touched on entertaining tips in our previous blog “Event Planning Checklist” July 23, 2022. 

The first steps are to compile your guest list, decide on the type or theme of the event, and plan the menu.

You can use the same planning guide for 2 or 100 guests! If you enjoy cooking, think about serving a family favorite or be like our teammate Michelle usually makes something she has never made before – brave woman!

Michelle enjoys sharing her Greek culture by making specialties such as – moussaka, spanakopita and baklava! She hand makes her favorite dish dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) when time allows, but has a great market nearby just in case.

BBQ or Texas themes are always popular, and many local restaurants have a catering menu, which also supports local businesses! Alternatively, if you do not enjoy cooking or are not confident yet to do so, it is totally fine to buy all prepared food. 

If you are having a cocktail and appetizer-type event, think about buying appetizers and warming them up at home. Potlucks are always popular for both dinners and cocktail parties! Many guests offer to bring something and don’t be shy to accept their offer, even if it is to just bring beverages or a dessert!

Chili cook-offs are fun as well as baked potato, mashed potato, or salad bars. Using martini-type glasses for the mashed potatoes and various toppings is a fun twist for smaller parties.

There are many great recipes online and in the numerous cookbooks and entertaining guides.

“At Ease: A Salute to Entertaining” by Army spouse Lynn Wilson, is a great source for yummy recipes as well as fun party ideas like her suggestion for a no-frills gathering of friends before the holiday rush!

The menu serves 6-8, and you can set your table casually.

The majority of the meal is prepared ahead of time so you may truly enjoy your guests! A few things from Lynn’s menu are cosmos, ceviche, spinach cranberry salad, marinated & grilled flank steak, double baked potatoes and finishing off with an adobe pie with Kahlua chocolate sauce!

You could easily have a salad and lasagna, with a pan of brownies, and still enjoy a casually perfect evening with friends! 

It’s important to remember that hosting an event is about creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, not about perfection.

Keeping your event as unscripted as possible allows your guests to relax and enjoy themselves. Don’t stress or worry if everything isn’t perfect or goes exactly according to plan; the imperfections are often the most fun. Your focus should be enjoying the company of your guests in a welcoming atmosphere. 

It takes time and practice to become comfortable and confident in this role; but no matter what type of party you plan, the effort you put in will create lasting memories for everyone. With a little preparation and some help from your friends, you’ll be hosting successful events in no time!

Happy hosting in 2023 from your M:M etiquette team — Michelle, Lynda, Ann and Ginger!