Something surprising has happened to me this year… I’ve become the ultimate homebody! It wasn’t long ago that I LOVED going to restaurants and attending events and really just packing my social calendar full of things at all times.
And while I of course still love a fancy date night out, I think there’s something really special about curating your home in such a way that you WANT to stay in and you want to invite others to enjoy it with you.
This year, hosting has truly become such a hobby for me and now that the holiday season is here, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to create a host-worthy home that YOU love to live in and guests love to visit.
And no, a “host-worthy home” doesn’t mean it has to be a home that looks like it came straight off a Pinterest board or a Pottery Barn magazine. It’s not about the aesthetics at all actually!
Instead, it’s all about the feeling that your home evokes and with just a little intention, you can truly transform your home this holiday season and make it THE spot that people want to be.
So in this blog post, I’m sharing just that – how to create a host-worthy home this holiday season, complete with my top hosting tips, hosting essentials, and of course some local Billings vendors that I always lean on when hosting!
It’s About Gathering – Not Hosting
Before we really dive into how to create a host-worthy home this holiday season, I want to clear something up…
So many people think they can’t host because their home isn’t big enough or because they don’t have all the “right” hosting essentials. And I totally get why you might think this – social media does a really good job of making us feel like things have to look a certain way or that you need allll these things from Target or Amazon in order to host a good event for your family or friends.
But in reality, that’s not what it’s about at all! For me, hosting has become something I love, not because of the tablescapes or so I can use my bread maker (though I do really love that thing!).
It’s become something I love so much because I focus on the gathering of the people that I love and the conversations and quality time that we get to have together.
Something I’ve learned is that not everything you host has to be a grand event you’ve been planning for months. Hosting a Wednesday night pizza night so your friends don’t have to cook on a weeknight is MORE than a good enough reason to have people over and it can be as casual as you want it to be!
So as you read through these tips, think of them as ways to make gathering easier and more enjoyable, not a list of boxes you have to check before you’re “allowed” to invite people over.
How To Create a Host-Worthy Home This Holiday Season
Now for the practical advice that you’re here for…
Start at the Front Door
When you’re thinking about hosting in Billings specifically, especially in the winter, you have to think about the reality of your guests as soon as they walk through the door.
Most of them will be walking in with snowy boots, puffy coats, hats, gloves, and probably a casserole dish or two, depending on the type of event you’re having. And if your entryway can’t handle all of that, things get chaotic FAST!
The good news is that you don’t need a giant mudroom to make it work. A few simple tweaks go a long way, including:
Set out a boot tray (or two!) so nobody’s tracking slush across your floors
Add extra hooks or clear out a closet so coats have a real home instead of a pile on your bed
Grab a bench so people can sit down to pull off their boots
Keep a basket for hats, gloves, and scarves
Light the way with good outdoor lighting, and keep your walkway shoveled and salted so nobody takes a tumble on the way in
It sounds small, but walking into a home that feels ready for you sets the tone for the whole night!
💡 Real estate tip: If you’re house hunting in Billings, pay attention to the entry! Mudrooms and roomy entryways are a HUGE win here in Montana and they’re something buyers love once they’ve lived through a winter or two.
Make Your Kitchen Welcoming
No matter how beautifully you set up your living room or dining room, by nature everyone ends up in the kitchen. So instead of trying to fight it, lean into it by:
Clearing your counters before guests arrive so you have room for a buffet or an appetizer spread
Adding a few bar stools or a spot where people can hang out and chat while you finish cooking
Setting up a self-serve drink station so you’re not stuck playing bartender all night (more on this in my hosting essentials below!)
Prepping ahead as much as you can so you’re actually enjoying your guests instead of stressing over the stove
If you need a little menu inspiration, here are a few things I make on repeat when hosting:
Homemade focaccia with a yummy appetizer or spread. Bread baking has become a whole hobby of mine and nothing makes your house smell more inviting!
Olive oil cake topped with peaches, whipped cream, or Italian buttercream. It might sound impressive, but I promise you it’s SO easy.
Creamy, cheesy pasta made with sungold tomatoes, which is my ultimate fall and winter comfort food
And if you need even more ideas, my favorite cookbooks right now are Wishbone Kitchen, Happy Hour at Home, and anything by Kristin Cavallari!
💡 Real estate tip: If you love to host, a kitchen island with seating, an open view into the living area, and a walk-in pantry for all that holiday overflow are features worth putting on your wish list.
Think Through Your Layout and Flow
This is one of my favorite things to talk about because it has nothing to do with how big your house is! A smaller home with great flow can host WAY better than a big house with a choppy layout.
A few ways to make your space feel more open and inviting, regardless of your house size:
Create conversation zones by pulling furniture away from the walls and grouping chairs so people can actually face each other
Think about the path guests take from the front door to the kitchen to the living room, and clear anything that creates a bottleneck
Clear the clutter from tables and walkways so there’s room to set down a drink or a plate
Move things around temporarily if you need to! That big chair can live in the bedroom for one night
💡 Real estate tip: When you’re touring homes, picture a party happening in the space. Can people move easily between rooms? Can the cook still be part of the conversation? Those little details make a big difference once you’re living there.
Set the Mood With Lighting
If there’s one thing that instantly changes the feel of a room, it’s lighting! Bright overhead lights alone can make your dinner party feel more like a dentist’s office and that is not the vibe for your girls night.
With the sun setting before 5pm here in Billings this time of year, lighting does a LOT of the heavy lifting. Here’s how to make it cozy:
Layer your lighting with lamps, candles, and string lights instead of relying on the overheads
Install dimmers – it’s one of the easiest, most affordable upgrades you can make
Use your fireplace if you’ve got one! Nothing says Montana winter gathering like a crackling fire
Don’t forget the outside, because a well-lit porch makes your home feel warm and welcoming before anyone even walks in
💡 Real estate tip: Outdoor lighting is one of those home upgrades that pulls double duty! Path lights along the walkway, warm lighting by the front door, and string or bistro lights over the patio make your home feel inviting for guests AND give it serious curb appeal.
Have Enough Seating (and Then Some)
Trust me on this one… count your seats BEFORE the party, not when Aunt Susie Aunt is hovering awkwardly by the couch with her plate. And no, you don’t need to buy a whole new dining set to make room for everyone.
My favorite part of hosting is getting creative and when it comes to seating, you can use:
Benches and ottomans to double as extra seats that tuck away easily
Floor cushions – these are perfect for a more casual game or girls night
Folding chairs that hide in a closet or garage until you need them
💡 Real estate tip: When you’re touring homes, look past the furniture the sellers have in place and picture how many people you could comfortably seat for a holiday dinner. Is there room for a table extension or a second table? Is there space for a built-in banquette or window seat?
And if you’re selling, stage your dining area to show off its full potential. A table set for eight helps buyers instantly see themselves hosting there!
Prep for Overnight Guests
The holidays usually mean family coming in from out of town and sometimes they’re staying a few nights. If that’s the case, you might feel overwhelmed about how to make them feel at home, but I can promise you, you don’t need a fancy guest suite to make people comfortable!
Instead, you can turn an office, bonus room, or basement into a comfy spot, and stock it with a few thoughtful essentials, such as:
Fresh towels and extra blankets (it gets COLD here at night!)
A phone charger by the bed
A few snacks and bottles of water
The Wi-Fi password written down somewhere easy to find
💡 Real estate tip: If you have family or friends who visit often, this is something to consider when house hunting! A finished basement with a bedroom and bathroom is GOLD as it gives everyone their own space, which makes for a much happier holiday.
Don’t Forget the Outdoor Space
Just because it’s chilly in Billings during the fall and winter doesn’t mean the party has to stay inside! Some of my favorite moments happen around a fire with a warm drink in hand or on our patio.
Here’s how you can comfortably make use of your outdoor space even in the colder months:
Invest in a nice fire pit or patio heaters
Have a basket of cozy blankets by the back door that makes it easy for guests to step outside
Offer hot cocoa or cider with dessert as a tasty way to keep people warm
💡 Real estate tip: Outdoor living spaces stretch your hosting season and add serious appeal when it’s time to sell, so if hosting is important to you, be on the lookout for homes that have a patio, deck, or backyard that allows you to do so with ease!
Plan an Activity
A lot of times when hosting, it’s tempting to obsess over the tablescape or menu, but entertainment for your guests is just as important! Having something fun for your guests to do (besides eat!) takes a get-together to the next level.
It gives everyone something to bond over, breaks the ice if some of your guests don’t know each other, and makes for the best memories (and the best inside jokes).
Game nights and craft nights are two of my absolute favorite ways to host! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Host a game night with a mix of board games, card games, and party games. If I’m hosting a girls night, Girl Code is the game we love to play!
Plan a craft night where everyone makes something to take home. In the past, we’ve had paint and sip nights, bedazzling sessions (because what’s more fun than that?!), and made keychains! For the holidays, you could paint ornaments, gingerbread houses, make wreaths, or even holiday cards.
Make it a little competitive with a cookie decorating contest, a holiday trivia night, or an ugly sweater showdown
Keep supplies in one spot so setup is easy – a game cabinet or craft bin means you can say yes to a last-minute game night anytime
The thing about having an activity like this is that it really takes the pressure off you as the host! You can enjoy the evening knowing that everyone is occupied and no one is worried about what the table looks like.
💡 Real estate tip: If you love game and craft nights, keep an eye out for flex spaces when you’re house hunting! A bonus room, finished basement, or even a big dining area with a sturdy table can become the perfect spot for spreading out puzzles, games, or craft supplies. Plenty of built-in storage is a big plus too, so everything has a home when the party’s over.
My Top Hosting Essentials
After a year of hosting pretty much every chance I get, these are the things I reach for over and over again:
A drink station setup – for this you can use a bar cart or simply have a nice drink dispenser that you like to use for your signature cocktail
Serving boards and platters for charcuterie, appetizers, and desserts
Extra dishes and glassware so you’re not washing cups mid-party
Candles for instant cozy vibes
A good playlist – when hosting, I’m a big fan of putting on a simple jazz playlist and letting it play all night! But you can also find great curated playlists on Spotify that match the mood and season.
Games for after dinner – Girl Code is a top fave for girls night at our house!
To-go containers so guests can take leftovers home (and you don’t have to eat stuffing for a week)
A few go-to cookbooks for when you need inspiration – as mentioned above, my favorites are Wishbone Kitchen, Happy Hour at Home, and anything by Kristin Cavallari!
And while we’re talking about hosting essentials, I want to mention something about tablescapes. Something I’ve really tried to do this year is build a collection of dishes, linens, and decor that all go together so I can mix and match for any occasion.
While it’s of course tempting to buy all the themed items, it can get expensive quickly and the reality is that you’re only going to use those things a few times a year. So instead of theming my dishes and decor, I prefer to keep things neutral and then jazz things up with florals for the season and a few pops of color with disposable napkins or things like that!
My Favorite Local Billings Vendors for Hosting
One of my favorite parts of hosting is getting to support the amazing local businesses we have right here in Billings.
If I’m just hosting something small, I’ll typically do everything myself and keep it as casual as possible. But if I’m hosting a bigger event, like Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve dinner, that’s when I’m more likely to lean on local vendors to help me out!
Here are some top spots I’d recommend if you’re looking for some extra support when hosting your next event in Billings:
For desserts and baked goods: Flours Bakery is a new-to-me bakery that will definitely become a go-to for custom cakes and baked goods when I don’t want to bake them myself!
For wine, meats, and cheeses: City Vineyard – a go to spot when I need to pick up a few bottles of wine for an event! (They also have amazing gift baskets if I need a hostess gift in a pinch)
For steaks, brats, and other specialty meats: Meat Palace – we frequent this place a lot just for our weekly dinners, but especially when hosting and cooking for a crowd!
For decor: I find a lot of my hosting items at HomeGoods and Target, but I’ve also fallen in love with the hunt by going to local thrift and antique shops! YesterYears is always a hit and you truly never know what you’re going to find.
For events that need a chef: if we’re hosting a larger event and I don’t want to handle the cooking, my first call is Nate Southwick!
For bigger events: Adorn Montana – we used them this year for my stepson’s rehearsal dinner at our house and they absolutely nailed the vision!
Shopping local makes your gathering feel extra special and it’s a great way to give back to the community that makes Billings such a great place to call home!
Make This the Year Your Home Becomes THE Spot
At the end of the day, the best part of hosting isn’t a perfectly styled house or a flawless menu.
It’s the people around your table, the laughs that go way too late, and the memories you make together. A host-worthy home is really just a home that makes people feel welcome and that’s something anyone can create right where you’re at!
But if you are dreaming of a home that’s built for gathering, whether that’s a bigger kitchen, a basement for the in-laws, or a backyard made for summer bonfires, I’d LOVE to help you find it.
CLICK HERE to start the conversation and we’ll walk through all of your must-haves and nice-to-haves to ensure you end up with the house that’s the best fit for you!
And if you’re thinking about selling, I can help you show off all those hosting features buyers are looking for – simply CLICK HERE to get started!
Happy hosting 🥂