The silver lining to the start of back-to-school is that Autumn is just around the corner, and though it may look different in various parts of the world, the one consensus is that everything suddenly feels cosy. Between the autumn colours, the Moorish meals, the drop in temperature and the smell of cinnamon that seems to permeate our senses wherever we go, there really is no other season quite like it.

It is also the start of many occasions to come, such as Halloween, Thanksgiving and of course, the joyous build up to Christmas and New Year’s. As luck would have it, it is also a great time to start hosting again after summer; with everyone back in town, nicely settled into their routines, and navigating daily life, it’s always nice to take a break and catch up with friends and loved ones.

This brings us to yufeed’s latest tips and tricks on How to Host the Perfect Autumn Gathering:

How to Host the Perfect Autumn Gathering

1. As always, keep it simple, and plan ahead; gatherings are not just for the guests, but for the host as well. If you’re a ‘goes all out’ type, then by all means, go nuts! If not however, then there’s nothing wrong with reigning things in to your own comfort levels. Just remember, your guests are also there to see you, and believe us when we tell you, everyone appreciates a relaxed host that actually mingles; as opposed to one that’s holed up in the kitchen and running around like a headless chicken. Either way, it definitely helps to plan ahead!
2. Set the tone; autumn is all about warm colors, cosy jumpers, and quality time with family and friends. Whether it’s the ambience, setup or the actual menu, be sure to consider all the colours of fall, and factor them into your plans. The possibilities are endless; dim lighting with candles, a rustic table cloth, food with a lot of orange ingredients, the smell of cinnamon and so on. That’s not to say however that you need to be going out to but all of these things. Start by checking what you have on hand, and work from there; sometimes, a few candles are enough. If you’re lacking in the way of décor, then focus on the menu and maybe buy some appropriately coloured flowers, and you’re all set.
3. In line with setting the tone is creating the ‘scent’; during this season, the smell of cinnamon is a must. Again, you don’t have to go out and buy cinnamon scented candles; you can achieve this simply by baking or cooking literally anything with cinnamon in it, or by simply keeping a pot of water simmering on your stove with cinnamon sticks, cloves and some star anise. Just be sure to check the pot from time to time and refill if the water has evaporated too much.
4. Evening is best; unless you’re hosting a kids’ Halloween party, then we recommend hosting in the evening; anything from sundowners onwards. It just feels appropriate, given the season, especially if you’re going for ‘cosy’.
5. Be sure to plan a seasonal menu; whether you’re catering or cooking, seasonal menus are always best, and nothing beats a good fall menu. If you’re not sure, just think along the lines of pumpkins, butternut squash, cranberries and sweet potatoes. In fact, get on yufeed, type these ingredients into your Search and see what you find. A few autumn favourites include our Butternut Squash Soup OR Salad (or both!), Carrots & Lentil Salad, Farro & Sweet Potato Salad, Ann’s Cheese Fondue, Sweet Potato Casserole, 10-Hour Roast Lamb and/or Eleni’s Roast Chicken or our Squash Stew – Again, endless possibilities and lots of options to choose from. Depending on the size of your party, factor in a hearty appetizer or two, one or two salads and a substantial main (or two). If you’re still unsure, use our Gatherings setting on the app and it’ll do the thinking for you!
6. For Dessert, stick to the classics; pumpkin pie, carrot cake, apple crisp, spiced cookies or banana bread with fall spices. Make your dessert a day ahead, so the only thing you’ll need to worry about on the day is bringing it out!

There you have it, 6 manageable ways to host your next autumn gathering! Any tips and tricks you readers would like to share?