Home for the Holidays: With Mallorie Rasberry
The holidays have always been one of my favorite times to open our home. There’s just something special about having people gathered in one place—lights glowing, music playing, kids running through the halls. Hosting this time of year doesn’t have to be fancy or stressful for it to be meaningful… and that’s really the heart of how I try to approach it.
When it comes to getting the house ready, I keep things incredibly simple. I know it sounds funny, but two things I always try to do before guests arrive are empty the trash and unload the dishwasher. Unloading the dishwasher may be my most dreaded chore (right next to putting away laundry!), but I’m always so thankful I did it. It makes cleanup easier, especially if you’ve got those helpful guests who jump up to clear the dishes.
And the food? Truly, it does not have to be elaborate. One of my favorite holiday hosting ideas is a PB&J bar. Every year, when we have lots of folks in town, I set out all the fixings you can imagine with ice-cold milk. It’s kid-friendly, inexpensive, and easy… and people LOVE it. It’s such a simple way to feed a crowd without getting overwhelmed.
More than anything, when someone walks into our home this time of year, I want them to feel at ease. People relax when they know you’re real. I light my candles, turn on nostalgic Christmas music, and put out something to snack on—nothing complicated. One tradition I treasure is setting out a Christmas puzzle on the dining room table. I like to get it started so it’s not overwhelming, and then I get to watch kids and adults alike take a stab at it all night. It’s amazing how something so small becomes the center of a room.
And if you’re hosting this season but feel stretched thin, I want you to hear this: you don’t have to do it all to make it meaningful. Ask guests to bring sides. Light one candle. Play one song you love. Set out one thing that makes you smile. That’s enough to shift the whole mood. Your presence is the real gift—not the perfection.
Keep it simple. Folks come to see you, not your baseboards.
Opening your home during the holidays isn’t about having everything together, it’s about creating a place where people can breathe, laugh, and gather. That’s the magic of this season, and it doesn’t take much to find it. A little music, a warm light, a puzzle waiting on the table… and the people you love stepping through the door.
