I don't make new things for company. Always tried and true. And like 90% done when people show. I don't do small bites anymore. People come and have a drink and we eat within 10 min of everyone coming. But I like a dinner party. Two couples or 1 family with 2 kids is what we do on a weekday or Friday. I clean as I go. I love hosting in winter as I can make ahead dishes like stews and roasts and they cook and stay warm while I'm making a salad etc.
many small things take longer than one or two large items.
Don't stress. Everyone mostly loves coming somewhere and being fed and not having to deal with a mess.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Objectively speaking, I'm not a great hostess and I used to stress about it but then realized how much I enjoy just having a meal at someone else's house and that our friends keep coming back in spite of our less than perfect house and less than perfect meals.

This...people are happy to be included and socialize. No need to stress and fuss.

+1

+2. There is nothing worse than an absentee host or hostess (whether harried or not). It makes me ill at ease when someone is buzzing around cooking a full meal rather than socializing, or popping up every few minutes to check something. I appreciate the effort but I would rather we all go out to eat at that point.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Objectively speaking, I'm not a great hostess and I used to stress about it but then realized how much I enjoy just having a meal at someone else's house and that our friends keep coming back in spite of our less than perfect house and less than perfect meals.

This...people are happy to be included and socialize. No need to stress and fuss.

+1

Anonymous wrote:Objectively speaking, I'm not a great hostess and I used to stress about it but then realized how much I enjoy just having a meal at someone else's house and that our friends keep coming back in spite of our less than perfect house and less than perfect meals.

This...people are happy to be included and socialize. No need to stress and fuss.

Objectively speaking, I'm not a great hostess and I used to stress about it but then realized how much I enjoy just having a meal at someone else's house and that our friends keep coming back in spite of our less than perfect house and less than perfect meals.

Buy not But two bottles of wine. Sorry for typo.

Trader Joe is your friend. I was you. I had no entrees in my repetoire. And now I have at least 3. I have now done this many many times.

One trip there and you have everything. For one to two couple(s) as guests. Informal. Placemats-everyday china. Yes, set table ahead.

Hummus and baby carrots for appetizers.

Seltzer and make a pitcher of ice water.

But two bottles of sauvignon blanc and chill.

Main course: 2 packages salmon, 2 bags frozen broccoli florets and 1 big quick farro - salmon and broccoli are 20 minutes on a sheet pan in a 400 degree oven. Pre-heat oven but turn it on when guest arrive.

Dessert-no one expects you to bake/make this yourself. Buy sorbet, berries, cookies.

Offer decaf coffee.

Done!

I have not mastered anything BUT I have lowered my expectations of myself and my house and gotten past the type of anxiety OP is describing. For awhile I was waiting till things were perfect but just realized they will never be.

We try to keep things simple and start small - 1 or 2 families for a low stress meal and calling it "casual." So they know we are getting together to hangout and not because I am a master chef putting on an amazing meal.

For me it's mostly planning ahead and making sure there is time for various small things - groceries, buying snacks and beverages etc, figuring out the flow of day for food prep and last minute clearing stuff off the table etc. I also try to time it around when my biweekly cleaner is coming and when kid and work schedules will give me a little time in the day.

We just had a BBQ for Memorial Day and it was a lot of fun. Most ppl are just happy others are hosting, I don't think they really care about kid clutter and whatnot. We are our own worst critic.

Have an after dinner activity, like a card game, uno, yahtzee, something like that.

I would not like this