Every friendship group has someone who loves hosting and someone who is, well, less inclined to entertaining at their home. The latter was me, until last week, when I sat down to interview Bethenny Frankel. Her tips have made the process incredibly straightforward.
Bethenny, who has recently moved to Florida, recently collaborated with Heluva Good! to launch their latest summer entertaining gadget: A faux potted plant designed for party hosts to stash their supply of chips and dip secretly. Naturally, therefore, sharing how to create the perfect hosting space was at the top of our agenda.
Firstly, whether you're working with a small urban apartment (like my own) or have a larger entertaining garden, Bethenny says that mastering music, lighting, and your signature cocktail are the first steps to sucsess.
'Having a signature cocktail is good; pre-make it with cute glasses and ice. Music is the most important thing, and lighting is really important. It’s not something that people usually think about first, but I also think a host needs to be relaxed and happy – it’s contagious. If the host is happy, then the guests will be happy, too,' she says.
Shop my current favorite hosting accessories
These multi-colored glasses are vibrant and classy, evoking the spirit of Art Deco with their elegant silhouettes. I think they'd make a statement on any tablescape, inside or out.
Cabana stripes never go out of style, and these mint-colored ones are super playful. They also come as cocktail napkins and as placemats, so you can fully coordinate your tablescape. They're called 'Sunday napkins,' but you can use them any day of the week.
These fun bobbin-shaped rechargeable lamps come in five bold shades. I love their glossy, orb-stacked base and mushroom shade, bringing a cozy chic to any table when dusk falls.
When mastering the art of hosting, knowing what to introduce is one thing, but knowing what to avoid is arguably even more important. In this vein, Bethenny says that trying to over-control your guests is one of the biggest mistakes a host can make.
'It’s a mistake to try to control your guests: Where they need to be, how they need to do it, and who they need to sit next to. Life and work are already like that, so people don't need hosts controlling their guests. If you don’t want people in the kitchen, then don't bring them in. If you have food out, people are just going to sit in your kitchen,' she says.
'You also have to think ahead about traffic patterns and how people will behave, or what they'll do if you're a person who can't let go as a host.'
Another mistake people make? Not planning ahead. While there is an abundance of holiday hosting tips around, I know all too well that life can get in the way, and following this advice isn't as easy as it may seem. However, Bethernny says that with a little bit of forward planning (even if it's making a rough plan when you're in bed), you can go a long way.
'I want people to get excited about entertaining. I want them to be inspired and creative. People are meal planning and trying to be healthy and intentional about what they eat this summer, as well as how they entertain. I want to encourage people to think about it ahead of time. It’s not about standing there in the supermarket with no plan,' she explains.
'Think about it in your head: Think about it when you’re lying in bed – what are you going to make the following day? And just give it a couple of minutes of thought before you get involved, before you get into it.'
Heluva Good! has an upcoming sweepstakes, where consumers can enter to win the aforementioned potted plant to hide their dips. It's a brand that Bethenny uses while hosting, so you can rest easy that you're in good company.
'I’m the person who likes to have something to put out for when people stop by, particularly in the summer. You don't know what you're gonna get into, you don't know who you're going to run into, and it’s important to have good flavors and vibrant colors – like these Heluva Good! dips – that are so easy,' Bethenny adds.
'You can use them in so many different ways. The brand is very versatile and provides a starting point for creativity and inspiration, offering easy recipes, quick clean-up, and the ability to impress. It’s got me motivated today for entertaining.' It's certainly influenced me, too. Here's to a summer of being a guest and a host.
