Alicia, Karolyn, and Monica believe some of life’s best moments happen when people come together. As the mother-daughter trio behind The Joy in Gathering, they share seasonal recipes, approachable hosting ideas, thoughtful traditions, and inspiration for the home—all designed to make gathering feel special without making it complicated.

Their style mixes old and new, elevated and approachable, and always begins with the people around the table. Here, they share how to set the tone, create small moments of delight, entertain without over-planning, and host in a way that leaves everyone, including the host, feeling relaxed and welcome.

Hosting Q&A with Alicia, Karolyn, and Monica

Q: When planning a gathering at home, where do you start: the menu, the decor, the occasion, or the theme?

A: We always start with the occasion and the feeling we want to create. Who are we gathering with, what are we celebrating, and how do we want people to feel when they walk through the door? From there, the menu, decor, and little details tend to fall into place.

Whether it’s a casual weeknight dinner or a special holiday, we want everything to feel thoughtful and intentional, but never so complicated that it takes away from actually enjoying the people around the table.

Q: What are your favorite ways to break the ice or entertain guests?

A: Our favorite way to break the ice is to give guests something to gather around right away, whether that’s a great appetizer, a fun cocktail, or simply inviting everyone into the kitchen while we finish up. We love a good playlist in the background, introducing guests by sharing something they have in common, and having an easy activity or game in our back pocket if the evening needs it.

More than anything, we try not to over-plan the entertainment. The best gatherings leave plenty of room for conversations, stories, and spontaneous moments that become the most memorable.

Q: If you had a limited budget for a small dinner party, what would you focus on for the tablescape?

A: We’d focus on a few details that make the biggest impact, like linens, candlelight, and something seasonal down the center of the table. We find so many of our favorite pieces while thrifting or browsing antique shops, from candlesticks and vases to linens and serving pieces. It’s an affordable and sustainable way to create a table that feels collected, personal, and unique.

Then we’ll fill in with things we already have, grocery store flowers, seasonal produce, or greenery from the yard. A beautiful table doesn’t have to be expensive; often the most memorable ones are a mix of old, new, found, and passed down.

Q: What makes a great gathering memorable?

A: For us, a great gathering is memorable because of how it made people feel. It’s less about everything being perfect and more about creating a space where people feel welcomed, comfortable, and genuinely happy to be there.

Good food and thoughtful details help set the scene, but it’s the conversations, laughter, traditions, and unexpected little moments that people remember long after the night is over.

Q: What advice would you give someone who feels overwhelmed by hosting friends at home?

A: Keep it simple and remember that people are coming to spend time with you, not to judge your home, your cooking, or whether every detail is perfect. Choose a menu you’re comfortable with, do as much as you can in advance, and don’t be afraid to take shortcuts or ask guests to bring something.

Set the table early, light a few candles, put on a great playlist, and then give yourself permission to enjoy your own gathering. A relaxed host sets the tone, and your guests will remember how welcome they felt far more than whether everything went exactly according to plan.

Q: What is your signature recipe to serve when hosting?

A: It really depends on the season! We love letting what’s fresh and in season inspire what we serve, so our signature recipe is always changing throughout the year.

In the summer, it might be a fresh seasonal salad or spritz; in the fall, something cozy with apples or squash; and around the holidays, a festive appetizer or cocktail. For us, part of the joy of hosting is embracing the season and serving something that makes the gathering feel connected to that particular moment in time.

Q: What’s your go-to soundtrack for a dinner party at home?

A: It totally depends on the theme and vibe of the night! We’ve been building a collection of playlists on The Joy in Gathering Spotify for different seasons and gatherings, and we love choosing one that complements the feeling we’re trying to create.

We’re also big fans of a Nancy Meyers- or Ina Garten-inspired dinner party playlist for that warm, effortless feel, or Spanish guitar for a summer evening outside. Music is such an easy way to set the tone for the night. You can find all of our playlists on The Joy in Gathering Spotify.

Q: What is your favorite party trick?

A: Our favorite party trick is finding one small detail that makes guests stop and say, “Wait, that’s so cute!” It could be a surprising garnish on a cocktail, a handwritten place card tucked into a piece of fruit, a vintage vessel used in an unexpected way, or a simple appetizer presented beautifully.

We love those little moments of delight that feel thoughtful and creative without requiring a lot of extra work.

Q: What do you love about Partytrick, and what is your favorite feature?

A: We love that Partytrick makes hosting feel approachable while still making it feel special. There’s so much inspiration out there, but Partytrick actually helps you turn that inspiration into a gathering you can pull off in real life.

We especially love the curated party plans and all the thoughtful details that go along with them. It feels like having a creative hosting friend in your back pocket when you need a little inspiration or direction.

Q: What is the most memorable party or gathering you’ve attended or hosted, and why?

A: It’s so hard to choose just one because some of our most memorable gatherings have actually been the simplest ones. The nights we talk about years later aren’t necessarily the ones with the most elaborate menu or table, but the ones where everyone lingered long after dinner, the conversation kept going, and no one was quite ready to leave.

Those are the gatherings we’re always trying to cultivate!

Q: What are your favorite products or brands to use when hosting?

A: A few of our hosting staples are a set of quality linens. We have great ones from Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel that we use again and again. A cute ice bucket and drink tub are also great pieces to have on hand for creating an easy self-service bar.

We love getting creative with what we already own, too. We’ve even used planters as drink tubs—as long as they don’t have a hole in the bottom! We find lots of fun, affordable serving pieces at HomeGoods, but some of our favorite hosting pieces have come from antique stores and thrift shops.

Vintage glassware, candlesticks, serving bowls, and platters add so much personality and make a table feel collected rather than overly coordinated. We keep many of our current favorites and finds in The Joy in Gathering ShopMy.

Partytrick Take: Real Hosting Takeaways

The Joy in Gathering’s approach proves that a memorable event doesn’t require an elaborate production. The strongest gatherings begin with a clear emotional intention, use a few high-impact details to shape the atmosphere, and give both guests and hosts enough space to connect naturally.

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

Choose one defining element that captures the season or mood—a cluster of candles, a thrifted vessel filled with grocery store flowers, a seasonal cocktail, or a thoughtfully styled appetizer. Let that one element create the sense of occasion, then keep everything else familiar and manageable.

What is the most important planning decision behind this approach?

Deciding how guests should feel is the core planning priority. That choice guides the layout, food, music, timing, and guest flow: a comfortable arrival point encourages mingling, a make-ahead menu keeps the host present, and a loosely planned evening allows conversation to unfold without feeling rushed.

What can hosts borrow from this approach for their own event?

• Set the table before the day becomes busy.
• Create an easy arrival moment with a drink or appetizer.
• Mix existing pieces with thrifted or seasonal finds.
• Add one delightful detail guests will notice.
• Choose a menu you know and prepare what you can in advance.
• Leave room in the plan for people to linger.

For more seasonal recipes, thoughtful traditions, and approachable hosting inspiration, visit thejoyingathering.com and follow @thejoyingathering on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. You can also find The Joy in Gathering on Facebook and Spotify, or browse their favorite hosting finds on ShopMy.

Feeling inspired to bring more joy to your own table? Create a free Partytrick account for planning tools and ideas that make hosting easier. When you’re ready to get started, explore Partytrick’s playbooks.

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