READER LETTER OF THE WEEK

I love seeing friends and family over summer but, to be frank, it can all be a bit exhausting. We love hosting people, but as I get older, I find I am losing my stamina! Do you have any tips on being social but also conserving energy and looking after myself a bit more? Margaret

Yes, it’s fun but exhausting, isn’t it? But you probably wouldn’t have it any other way because, as you say, you love hosting.

I love having people around too, and for me the key is always in the prep so that the day runs smoothly. Prep food and drink, the house, and whatever the “event” part of the day is.

Firstly, decide what it is you want to do. Is it a fancy meal with all the trimmings, created by yourself, or a BYO barbecue? I’d set expectation at the more casual end, personally, to make it easier from the get-go, and make sure everyone’s aware of the plan.

Clean your fridge out so it’s ready to receive the food shop, but don’t forget the basics, too. Extra people in the house means more hand soap and loo paper!

Secondly, get ahead with it all. Prep the food as much as you can, pre-cook and freeze stuff, and buy things that are ready to go – don’t think twice about that. Find the serving dishes you’ll use, so you’re not diving into the back of the cupboards just before dinner trying to find that special dish you only use once a year. Ensure there’s enough cutlery, plates and glasses – and you might even need another table. Setting the table is a good job to do well beforehand and could be a good one to assign to someone else.

Lastly, enjoy the moment. Don’t sweat the small stuff. You host because you’re good at it. Enjoy your family and friends and have a great time catching up, telling stories, reminiscing and having a laugh or two. Stopping and sharing time together is what it’s all about.