A Party Planner's Playbook for Hosting

Before we dive in, I think it’s important that you de-center perfection as you prepare to host. Instead, I want you to focus on curating the details that will encourage your guests to turn to the person next to them and strike up a conversation. The best way to accomplish this is through your choices in food, wine, music, and decor. Focus on creating intentional spaces and your gatherings will flow more naturally and joyfully.

How to Plan A Party in Five Simple Steps

Set intentions. What do you hope to accomplish in hosting this gathering? Let your “why” guide your decision-making.
Invite guests. Give your guests 3-4 weeks' notice and share the intentions of the gathering to spark their enthusiasm for RSVP-ing (and actually showing up!).
Develop a menu. I find that the experience of trying new wines together is a great way to break the ice at a party. Select the wines you are excited about serving first. Then, base your food menu around the bites that will pair well with the wines.
Consider music and entertainment part of the experience. Parties are a multi-sensory experience. Envision how you want guests to move through the party and curate a playlist that supports this vibe.
Plan but do not obsess over the plan. As the host, your energy will transfer to your guests, so when the party starts, don't worry too much about timelines and schedules. Let the event flow and guide graciously.

How to Host A Casual Get-Together (No Occasion Necessary)

Entertaining is not always the big and grand occasions on our calendars. In most cases, the secret to being a great host is in mastering the moments when you tell a friend to “just come over” and you figure the rest out as you go.

For these casual, low-lift hosting moments, your success is keeping a well stocked pantry and a diverse wine rack. This will make it easy to reach for a few bottles to offer alongside your favorite snacking plate. My go-to hosting snack plate includes: port salut cheese, cheddar cheese, plantain chips, fig jam, honey wheat pretzels, prosciutto, and apple slices. On my wine rack: I always have a red and a white option for guests. My go-to is the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (my personal favorite) and the Willamette Valley Chardonnay.

Inspiration for Hosting Special Occasions

Easter Brunch

Hosting in the spring calls for two things: flowers and a well chilled glass of wine. For hosting Easter brunch, I have three recommendations for you:

Decorate with flowering branches like forsythia, cherry blossom, quince, and magnolia.
Reach for Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc and the Russian River Valley Sparkling Brut Rosé. These options are light and fresh and usher in the spirit of spring.
On the menu: dutch baby pancakes, chicken breakfast sausage, egg frittata, and fresh fruit.

WNBA Watch Party (and other watch parties)

Hosting a watch party allows you to enjoy your interests communally. Hosting for sporting events, awards shows, competitions, and other TV interests, can be the casual, low-fuss gathering that keeps you connected with friends, neighbors or family. Three recommendations for hosting a watch party:

Encourage guests to dress on theme. For a sporting event, guests should wear their favorite jersey or sports paraphernalia.
Serve easy snacks that are elevated with surprising wine pairings. I serve a pile of fries with sparkling wine. I also like to pair buttery popcorn with chardonnay, and pigs in a blanket with pinot noir.
Make sure you have plenty of seating options for guests to get comfortable. Consider extra blankets, extra chairs, and floor cushions.

Summer Cookouts

It’s your turn to host the cookout. It may feel a bit daunting, but go in confident and you will have a great time hosting this event. Here are my three tips for mastering this gathering tradition:

When cooking for a large crowd, people often think it means you have to prepare a lot of different dishes, but less options and more servings is the way to go. Aim for just 4-5 savory options and 2-3 desserts. Consider making the cookout a potluck to share the load of cooking for a large crowd.
Think of the playlist as a roller coaster. Don’t start with all the hits right at the beginning; work your way up and take people on a musical journey that will get them comfortable, warmed up, and ready to dance at the perfect time.
A hot grill needs cold beverages. If you want to offer wines, pair grilled meats and vegetables with Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc because it’s crisp and refreshing and provides a bit of balance for the hot and smoky menu items. Russian River Valley Sparkling Brut Rosé. It’s great for all day sipping, and it tends to pair well with seafoods, salads, and desserts.

Friendsgiving & Thanksgiving

For Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving, potlucks are a great way to establish your own tradition and share the responsibilities of large party hosting.Three tips for hosting Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving (or any extra large dinner party):

Make fun invitations. You can use a digital invite platform and lean into festive themes, and use the RSVP questions to collect dietary restrictions, song requests, and potluck sign ups.
As the host of a potluck, handle the main dishes and allow other guests to support with hearty sides and desserts. As the host, you should also have plenty of wine. I find the La Crema Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon is always a crowd pleaser at dinner parties.
Create a cozy ambiance by dimming lights, or utilizing lamps with soft yellow light bulbs instead of harsh overhead lights. This will also encourage guests to relax and ease into conversations.

An Open House for Holiday Hosting

The December holidays are always a big thing to do. If you are feeling the pressure, consider hosting an “open house” so family and friends can drop by casually, exchange gifts, catch up, and allow the little ones to play without the pressure of hosting a full house. Three recommendations for hosting a holiday open house:

Host your open house on the weekend and set your timing across the full day. Let guests know in advance and ask them to RSVP with around what time they plan to stop by. This will help you keep tabs on the who and when as the day ebbs and flows.
Embrace the festive snacks and beverages of the season: cheese fondue with fresh, crunch bread and veggie dips, mini quiche, holiday-themed cookies, hot chocolate, and a batch of mulled wine.
Encourage guests to get cozy during their visit by offering a pair of festive or fuzzy socks that can double as a gift.

New Year’s Eve In Your Living Room

New Year’s Eve at home is really undefeated. Having a glamorous time in the comfort of someone’s living room is always special. My three tips for hosting the big night:

Encourage guests to dress up. Even though they are just headed to their living room, a glimmering dress code will set the tone for indulgence.
Welcome guests with a glass of Saralee’s Vineyard Blanc de Blancs. A glass of sparkling wine will stimulate their appetite and instantly put them into a party mood.
Do not sign up to play bartender all night. Set up your bar with plenty of your favorite wines, and make a pitcher of punch, so guests can walk in and help themselves to a refreshment as soon as they are ready.

Amber's Wine Selections

For a proper welcome guests or toasting a big moment:

Saralee’s Vineyard Blanc de Blancs

When hosting guests for dinner parties, holidays, and casual sipping, I like:

For hosting al fresco, my go-to selections are:

For gifting and special occasions:

Your Turn to Host

If you like what you learned here, you’ll love Amber’s book: Your Turn to Host: A Guide to Great Parties & Gatherings! Pre-order now on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, Bookshop, or at your local bookstore.