OnewsO: Host Like Ellen This Holiday 🥂✨

Hi there,

Yes it’s true - the holidays are basically here, and I am VERYYYYYY excited.

One of my favorite things about it is getting to experience it all over again through my two little boys. The decorating, the costumes and the freakin magic of it all. Things I’ve done a million times are suddenly exciting again because I’m seeing them through their eyes.

And you know what else having kids has done for me? Given me full permission to simplify my life. HA! I still want to throw an epic party, feed everyone something delicious, and have a house full of people I love. I just don’t have to make it perfect while doing it.

So here’s how I’m approaching the holidays this year.

I’m serious. Just pick a date and SEND THE INVITE.

I kid you not, I sent out my Hanukkah party invitations at the end of SEPTEMBER.

Did I have a menu? Nope. Did I have the details figured out? Absolutely not.

But I had a date! Everyone’s calendars get nuts around the holidays, and people appreciate knowing what’s coming. Once the date is locked, you can work backward and figure out the rest.

Dream first, details later. ;)

I have a pretty foolproof formula when it comes to feeding people.

One main protein. One big salad. One starch. Another vegetable. Dessert.

I’m always trying to get more vegetables into my kids, so there will inevitably be a big salad and something like crispy broccoli or a tomato salad. Throw in some potatoes, a beautiful piece of meat or fish, and you’re in business.

And lately? I’m on a COBBLER kick. Fruit, buttery topping, throw it in the oven, done. Add vanilla ice cream and everyone’s happy.

If you’ve got a crowd coming, I’m a big fan of a buffet. Use your dining table, pull out your cutting boards, stack things at different heights, and make it look like a big, beautiful feast.

Assign jobs! Someone brings dessert. Someone’s in charge of drinks. Someone brings a salad. People WANT to contribute. Let them!

And if you’re staring at your kitchen wondering what to make, grab a cookbook.

A few I’m loving right that came out this year:

The New Kitchen Cookbook. SO GOOD.
The Taquería Cookbook. Absolutely amazing.
Masienda. Because Mexican food forever.
Eating at Home by Trinity Mouzon. Loving this one.

4. Give the party a little something-something.

I LOVE a theme.

This year we’re throwing a holiday party, but we’re also a half-Jewish, half-Christmas tree-celebrating household with two little kids who are very into ALL of it.

So we’re doing wreath making, cookie decorating, carolers, the whole shebang.

Is it a little extra? YES. Am I excited? VERY.

But you don’t need to go full holiday extravaganza. Have a pie party where everyone brings a pie. A hot chocolate party. A potluck. A soup party!

The theme is just the excuse to get everyone in the same room.

Not in a forced, everybody-gather-round kind of way. More like, here’s a table full of fun stuff, go nuts.

For our holiday party, I’m putting out two long tables with tablecloths, a mountain of branches from the Christmas tree lots, and everything people need to make their own wreaths.

We’ll have cookie decorating going on too.

I love the idea of everyone leaving with something they made. Plus, it gives people who don’t know each other something to do together besides awkwardly talk about the weather.

The little things are EVERYTHING.

If you’ve got a fireplace, get that thing going. Light a candle in the bathroom. Put a big pot of apple cider on the stove with cinnamon and spices. It makes the whole house smell like the holidays, and people can help themselves.

Set up a drink station BEFORE everyone gets there. Big punch bowl, glasses, ice, the works.

I love anything self-serve because it means I’m not spending the whole party making drinks for people.

You want someone to walk into your house and immediately feel warm, welcomed, and happy to be there.

This might be my biggest hosting pet peeve.

You walk into someone’s house, you don’t know anybody, and the host disappears into the kitchen.

NOOOOO.

When someone comes in, say hello! Give them a drink! Introduce them to someone!

“Oh my gosh, you two HAVE to meet. You both love gardening.”

Find a little connection and get people talking.

Nobody wants to stand awkwardly in a stranger’s living room wondering what to do with themselves.

And this is why I try to have as much food ready as possible before people arrive. I want to hang out with my guests, not frantically chop onions while everyone else is having fun.

Sometimes we get so caught up in making everything perfect that we forget why we’re doing any of this in the first place.

It’s about getting your favorite humans together. Watching your kids run around with their friends while the adults are laughing over a big table of food. Introducing two people who end up becoming friends. Eating too much cobbler and having someone stay way later than they planned because they’re having such a good time.

So don’t overthink it. Pick a date, invite your people, make something delicious (or have someone else make it!), and get everyone together.

Food is the excuse. The people are the whole point.

Now GO THROW A PARTY and look awesome while doing it.

Here’s my fav things to host with: