4 Tips for Reducing Stress When Hosting During the Holidays

This post is sponsored by BJ’s, yet all opinions are my own.

We are hosting Thanksgiving this year at our home, and I’m very excited about it. I absolutely love providing a fun environment for family and friends to visit, relax and feel pampered. These efforts can also create tons of stress. I have learned a few key tips that really reduce the stress of hosting during the holidays this year.

1. Ask Everyone to Pitch In.

Whenever I host gatherings, I don’t want to place too much burden on those coming or on myself. For this reason, I simply ask everyone to bring one dish. Bringing one dish is easy for guests and really relieves my responsibility for every item on the menu. 

I typically ask everyone to bring an easy side or dessert along, and then I’ll prepare the rest. I suggest designating the items which are not your specialty, or even a dish you simply enjoy the way someone else prepares. Let others fill in. Most people love to lend a helping hand, and this is an easy way to do that.

2. Let a one-stop shop lighten the load.

Our family loves shopping at BJ’s Wholesale Club during the holidays. It makes everything much easier and less expensive when hosting a group of people in your home. I can easily get everything I need for entertaining. BJ’s has unbeatable value especially on their exclusive Berkley Jensen brand, from paper products to serving utensils, BJ’s truly has everything that you need to make your holidays merry and bright for you and your guests. 

The best part…they offer party platters to reduce much of the prep for the meal. My kids love shopping with me! I let them pick out their favorite Wellsley Farms frozen appetizer to prepare to make it even more special for my family. BJ’s offers amazing quality products that only take minutes to prepare and are sure to wow a crowd.

It is important to spend time with friends and family during this time of year. It helps to avoid getting caught up in the chaos that can come with hosting. BJ’s definitely assists me with that!

Hosting can get pricey which is another reason why I love shopping at BJ’s. BJ’s saves members 25% off grocery store prices. These savings really add up, especially when grocery shopping for a crowd during the holidays.

3. Cook Ahead of Time.

I can get several items from BJ’s that are quick and easy with little prep time. However, there are items I enjoy making from scratch so I ensure I prepare them ahead of time. This helps the party day be centered on relaxing and spending time with family. There are certain items that are easy to prep, refrigerate, and simply throw into the oven the next morning. You can easily let your rolls rise overnight, put together your stuffing, or make pies and desserts ahead of time. This really reduces the stress during the day if you are hosting.

4. Keep Decor Simple.

I do not go all-out when it comes to decor, nor do I think it is always necessary. Simple accents are the way to go! There are a variety of items you can easily pick up at BJ’s that add a little spice to your dinner table and the rest of your home. I love grabbing some fresh flowers and adding a few holiday decor items to go with the season. Again, I usually do not spend too much time decorating. Instead, just find simple ways to make the home even more welcoming and festive.

If you are hosting a get-together this year, don’t let stress be a factor. Use these simple tips to make a big difference this year. You can sit back and relax…enjoy making memories with your loved ones! We will be heading to BJ’s for all our hosting needs to keep things easy and stress-free! I save 25% off grocery store prices by shopping there. Happy Thanksgiving!