Wishbone Kitchen’s Meredith Hayden on Top Galentine’s Day Hosting Tips

If you’re not hosting this year, but still have plans with your gals, she’s got some tips for you, too: “Well, you already know that rule number one is not showing up empty-handed, even when the host insists. I always bring a little something, whether that’s a bag of ice or case of Guinness so drinks are covered for me and anyone else who wants one.”

“Find a way to help rather than asking how you can help. As a host, delegating tasks to guests can sometimes feel uncomfortable or even overwhelming. Rather than ask “how can I help”, tell them how you can help,” she explained.

“Scan the room, find something that needs attention (a snack bowl that needs refilling, an abandoned drinking glass, an empty water pitcher, a dwindling beverage cooler), and say ‘I’m going to refill this!’ This will reduce both the mental and physical load. Socially speaking, put your phone away, introduce people who don’t know each other, and actually be present.”