The "Hostingcore" Tips I'll Use This Summer (and the Ones I'll Skip)
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We made it, y'all. We're on the doorstep of backyard-BBQ, picnic-in-the-park, pool-party season, and the chance to host the gathering of your dreams is now. Whether you're a veteran host with dozens of do's in your repertoire or you're new to party-planning, this summer is shaping up to be a DIY-er's dream, and the perfect opportunity to bring your people together on your own terms — without blowing your budget.
Maybe it's because we're all feeling the effects of a flailing economy, or maybe it's because nothing beats staying in, but at-home hosting is clearly on the brain. From Brie Larson's upcoming cookbook that celebrates the art of throwing "weird and wacky" gatherings, to an episode of "Subway Takes" debating the etiquette of taking back the alcohol you bring to a friend's place, it seems America is finally heeding the call to throw more parties. And nowhere is that clearer than on TikTok, where certain "hostingcore" content is currently expanding the boundaries of what amateur hosts everywhere once thought possible.
The hallmark of hostingcore is a carefully crafted at-home shindig that spares absolutely no detail. We're talking tea parties with three-tiered candles and flower-shaped sandwiches. Movie nights with "popcorn charcuterie" and candy salads. Fully stocked bar carts overflowing with exotic liquors; fresh florals draped across every surface. Instead of saving the real-life "Beauty and the Beast" be-our-guest moments for big occasions only, hostingcore pushes us to pull out all the stops on any given Tuesday, just because.
But let's be real: much like fridgescaping and other aspirational home trends, hostingcore TikToks are fun to look at, but they rarely translate into an attainable aesthetic that the average person could pull off in their own house (or, you know, shoebox apartment). And when hostingcore goes all the way off the rails, it can sometimes look like a thinly disguised attempt at one-upping each other with the most extravagant spreads and snacks, animated by a simmering passive aggression bordering on tradwife territory. Where's the fun in that?
In many ways, hostingcore may seem best-suited for a specific subset of the population: the one with the spotless palatial homes that belong on the covers of magazines or Martha Stewart's Pinterest board. But plain old hosting? Well, that's for anyone who likes to curate a vibe, babe — regardless of the kind of space and resources you're working with.
Here are some hacks to transform your space into a hosting haven without going bananas with your budget.
Think About the Lighting
Candles! Tea lights! Lamps! Nothing makes or breaks a mood faster than the lighting. No matter how much effort you put into plumping your pillows and laminating your homemade sourdough, harsh overheads are a vibe assassin. Easily set the tone of your party with some soft, warm lights scattered thoughtfully around your space. Bonus points for a delicious-smelling (but subtle) candle.
Get Creative With Simple Snacks
Anything can be "charcuterie" if you plate it out on a wooden board (looking at you, popcorn). Instead of tasking yourself with whipping up a six-course meal for all your closest friends, work smarter and not harder with some easy but intriguing snacks that look nice when you plate them out. Think two-ingredient sandwiches cut into cute shapes, deviled eggs topped with fresh herbs (or caviar if you're still feeling a little expensive), and mini quiches with store-bought dough. That being said, no one has ever been mad about a simple, regular cheese board, so you don't necessarily have to overthink it.
You can also designate the party as a potluck situation (dessert board contest, anyone?), inviting your friends to bring something of their own to more equitably dispersing food costs and labor.
Put Some Thought Into the Seating
Whether you're hosting a dinner party or a movie night, seating is a crucial and often overlooked piece of the perfect-party puzzle. You can make the ambience as cozy as possible by providing a bunch of cushions and blankets. And it goes without saying, but make sure you have enough spots for everyone on your list.
Invest in Tableware That Makes You Smile
OK so this might set you back a few bucks, but hopefully it's for stuff that you'll use over and over again, to the point that it basically pays for itself. (And thrift stores often have fun tableware for cheap.) From glassware to pitchers, bowls, plates, and cutlery, your tableware can make all the difference in the look and feel of your gathering. If you have the right plate, you could put just about anything on it and it would still look delightful.
Think About Your "Party Trick"
As event planner Megan Fitzgerald explained in a recent TikTok, one easy tweak that will give all your parties some much-needed oomph is to always have a "party trick" up your sleeve, should the conversation take a dull turn or you notice someone is feeling left out. This could be anything from keeping a deck of cards on hand for a basic game, to offering guests a little wine tasting, to breaking out the record player.
Some things you don't need to do? Blow all your dough on Amazon, chef up some elaborate feast from scratch, rent out a fancy space, or make reservations at an overpriced restaurant. If there's one thing to remember this summer, it's that being the best host doesn't take a ton of cash and endless free time. It can just be about wanting to treat your loved ones to a good time and bask in the glow of some dainty string lights along the way.
Emma Glassman-Hughes (she/her) is the associate editor at PS Balance. In her seven years as a reporter, her beats have spanned the lifestyle spectrum; she's covered arts and culture for The Boston Globe, sex and relationships for Cosmopolitan, and food, climate, and farming for Ambrook Research.
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