Stacey Nagy knows that hosting can feel overwhelming when you’re not sure where to begin. 

Through Stace’s Libations, she coaches women with hosting anxiety, sharing practical advice alongside cocktail ideas and thoughtful touches that help guests feel special. Her approach is grounded in a simple order: begin with the occasion, choose a fitting theme, and make decisions that support the people who will be there.

For Stacey, a gathering doesn’t need an elaborate menu or a room full of new decor to make an impression. A welcome drink, a thrifted tablecloth, or an activity guests can join at their own pace can all help set the tone.

Hosting Q&A with Stacey Nagy

Q: When planning a gathering at home, where do you start?

A: I start with the occasion and then choose the theme. A baby shower has a different format and feel from a Galentine’s event, so thinking about why you’re gathering helps guide the decisions that follow.

Q: What makes a gathering memorable for you?

A: The details. Guests notice when you’ve put thought and care into creating an experience for them, whether that’s a beautiful table or a favor they can take home. My annual Tea Time at Tiffany’s Galentine’s party was especially memorable because it was the first time I really leaned into a theme and got creative with the decor. The Tiffany blue was a hit, and it helped me feel more confident in my hosting style.

Q: How do you help guests settle in and find something to do?

A: I greet guests at the door and offer them a welcome drink so they can settle in. I also like having non-intrusive activities they can do at their own pace. At my last witch-themed party, we made little intention-spell jars and simmer-pot kits.

Q: How would you create a tablescape on a limited budget?

A: I love thrifting for tablescape pieces. I’d start with a color scheme and create layers with thrifted linens instead of buying expensive themed dinnerware. Candlesticks add decor and lighting, and I like to finish with something fresh, such as flowers or fruit.

Q: What would you tell someone who feels overwhelmed about hosting?

A: Start small and keep it low-key. A cocktail-style party with wine and appetizers can feel more manageable than starting with a dinner party. Try new recipes on your own before serving them to guests, and make your to-do list early so you can break it into smaller daily tasks. Remember to breathe, enjoy the process, and leave room for things not to go exactly as planned.

Q: What’s your signature cocktail, and what’s your favorite party trick?

A: One of my most popular cocktails, which I also teach in my mixology courses, is the Garden Gin Sour.

Garden Gin Sour

• 1.5 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
• 0.5 oz St-Germain
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1 egg white
• Edible flowers or rosebuds, for garnish

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker without ice and shake until frothy. Add ice and shake again until chilled. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with edible flowers or rosebuds.

My favorite party trick is batching cocktails so I’m not shaking drinks all night. For self-serve drinks, I add dilution to the batch. I’ve also created a cocktail planning and batching spreadsheet: enter the menu and guest count, and it calculates batch quantities and a shopping list.

Stacey’s hosting favorites

For bar tools, Stacey likes Barfly shakers and strainers, as well as a Zulay cast-iron manual juicer. Her tablescape favorites include linens from Cotton Print Club and Puersi buffet risers, which she likes for their storage-friendly design. She features these items in her Amazon storefront.

For music, Stacey’s custom The Golden Age playlist brings together Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington, and Glenn Miller.

Partytrick Take: Real Hosting Takeaways

Stacey’s approach shows how a few clear decisions can shape the whole guest experience. Start with the occasion, choose a format that feels manageable, and make room for small details that help people feel welcome.

How can I recreate this hosting style in a simple way?

Choose one detail to carry through the gathering. It could be a welcome drink, a table color, or a small activity guests can join if they like. Keep the food and format simple enough that you can greet people and spend time with them.

What is the most important planning decision behind this gathering?

Start with the occasion, then choose the format and theme that fit it. Those choices help guide the menu, decor, activities, and the way guests move through the gathering. If you’d like a ready-made framework for a seated meal, Partytrick’s Classic Dinner Party Playbook or Supper & Sips Playbook can help organize the details.

What can hosts borrow from Stacey’s approach?

• Welcome guests personally and have a drink ready to offer.
• Try a cocktail-style gathering if a dinner party feels like too much to take on.
• Use thrifted linens, candles, flowers, or fruit to give the table a personal touch.
• Make a task list early and divide it into smaller steps.
• Batch drinks when it suits the menu, so you can spend less time mixing and more time with guests.

Host your own gathering with Partytrick

Stacey’s style is a reminder that hosting can start with one occasion, one drink, and a few thoughtful choices. Find her on Instagram and TikTok at @staceslibations, explore her Stan Store, or create a free Partytrick account to start planning your next gathering.

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