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If only Martha Stewart had a hostess hotline. Sure, she’s been sharing her wisdom on how to impress guests during the party season for decades, but getting her tips on the fly might serve someone who isn’t quite as adept at the job. Say, a renter who is throwing a get-together in a tiny, dining room-less apartment or a newlywed couple who volunteered to host family for the holidays for the first time. She’d probably welcome the challenge. And that’s why when we got the chance to ask her our most pressing entertaining questions, we made the most of the opportunity.
Stewart is currently Chief Gardening Officer at Miracle-Gro, and in that position, she’s instructing budding and experienced green thumbs on gardening for holiday magic and beyond. Of course, she keeps it aspirational, but you have to start somewhere. “I planted 609 different kinds of evergreens around 16 years ago and now they’re almost too big to be Christmas trees,” she says. “And so I give Christmas trees to friends.” If you’re new to the hosting game or you want to be a stellar guest, read on for her top lessons below.
Do: Politely Encourage Guests to Remove Their Shoes
You’ll have enough details to worry about as a host, and vacuuming up after friends shouldn’t be one of them. So follow Stewart’s lead and ask your guests to take off their shoes at the door—without much hassle. “I have signs, so I don’t have to say a thing,” she says.
Don’t: Rely Solely on Faux Greenery
Stewart only uses faux greenery during the holidays if it’s made of tinsel, but “doesn’t make a habit” of leaning on fake over fresh. She waits to cut down real evergreens to ensure they’ll stay verdant through the season, and supplies them with a steady stream of water to keep them going. Also, always check their pots, and if you have a humidifier, she suggests powering it on in the winter.
Do: Gift Something Non-Kitchen-Related to Your Host
Stewart says a bottle of wine for the host is always appreciated, but if you want to be a friend who gives a memorable gift, follow her budget-friendly advice: “I like getting a favorite book, and I like to get people playlists,” she says. “If they have Spotify, you can share it there.” Other ideas? Stewart also likes receiving plants and antiques, so you can’t go wrong with either.
Don’t: Let Friends Sit Right Next to Each Other
There’s an art to a solid seating chart, and Martha has this suggestion for ensuring that everyone walks away from a dinner party feeling like they had a new experience. “I like to put people who don’t know each other next to each other,” she admits. “Putting close friends next to each other is kind of futile. They see each other all the time. Try to mix it up.” At least they’ll be glad to have plenty to discuss after your gathering is a surefire hit.
Do: Dress Up Your Wreaths
While a simple green wreath is always a welcome sight for guests at your doorstep, go one step further by giving it a Martha-approved treatment. Kevin Sharkey, the executive director of design at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, hosted an office party recently and he covered one in icicle ornaments for added dimension. “It was so beautiful,” says Stewart. A little effort goes a long way.