Gatherings don’t have to feel overwhelming or revolve entirely around food.
The key to a meaningful celebration is intentional hosting, a practice that Jessica Alfonso-Rodriguez experienced and developed while growing up in South Florida. She says it’s her go-to, all year long.
“When planning your next gathering, start by grounding yourself in the reason for getting together,” said Alfonso-Rodriguez, a family and consumer sciences agent at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “Intentional hosting is about creating an experience rooted in connection and thoughtfulness. Small, meaningful details can go a long way, and you don’t need to break the bank to make your guests feel loved and seen.”
Whether it’s planning activities that bring people together or creating a welcoming atmosphere without the pressure of a perfect-sought menu, intentional hosting can make holiday gatherings and any get-together throughout the year more enjoyable for both guests and hosts.
“Incorporating practical ideas such as creating healthy appetizers, offering mocktails, shared activities that promote connection and finding ways to balance traditional holiday favorites with more mindful choices, intentional hosting connects to the different dimensions of wellness,” she said.
Drawing from her experiences, Alfonso-Rodriguez, based at UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County, offers these practical answers to the top questions she hears.
Q: What ways do you recommend incorporating health and wellness into holiday gatherings without losing the fun or tradition?
A: Consider adding opportunities for health and wellness versus swapping out the classics. You can incorporate movement through dancing and music or take an after-meal walk to see the local holiday lights, if you’re looking for opportunities to stay active. You can offer a festive and healthy holiday-themed mocktail as an alternative to alcoholic beverages made with simple ingredients. You can also include a moment of gratitude for others to reflect on and share about their year, facilitating a moment of connection.
Q: What is an example of a simple, low-stress activity that helps guests connect and feel included?
A: A simple way to facilitate fun and connection with guests is by introducing a game. Whether it’s a go-to family favorite board game or learning something new, you can choose something simple that still allows guests to chat and create new memories. Games create a shared experience for guests, offering a low-pressure opportunity for others to feel included and welcome.
Q: How can a host create a welcoming atmosphere without feeling pressure to have the perfect home or meal?
A: Aim for warmth and welcoming, not perfection. Think of the environment first. Clean surfaces, adequate seating, light background music, soft lighting, a subtle scent and small handwritten place cards go a long way in making guests feel welcome. Then, if serving food, simplify the menu by sticking to small bites or a homemade dish with a salad kit. A go-to for me is a charcuterie board. You can simplify it with the 3-2-1 trick: three cheeses, two types of fruits, and one grain, such as crackers. Tasty and healthy while still providing guests with options.
Q: You’ve hosted “intention nights” with friends. How can others recreate this type of experience in their own homes?
A: The end of each year presents an opportunity for reflection, gratitude and goal-setting. Each year, I host an “Intentions Night” to close out the year, providing a safe space for my friends and me to connect and share the lessons we’ve learned, as well as our intentions and goals for the upcoming year.
I plan some shared activities for us to do independently, such as journal prompts, with the option to share them with the group. One favorite activity is looking back at the year using your phone camera roll to identify one highlight for each month of this past year, which helps to reflect the positive aspects of the year. We also engage in hands-on activities, such as creating homemade candles or vision boards, to remind us of our goals and intentions for the new year.
###
By Lourdes Mederos, rodriguezl@ufl.edu
ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
1
