During these uncertain times, very little is within our control and many of us are feeling anxious and maybe even a little down in the dumps. One thing we do have however, is community; and maintaining that strong sense of togetherness is what keeps many of us sane and grounded. And with that in mind, nothing brings people together like a good old-fashioned gathering at home; good conversation, company and food!

With spring well underway, we still have that little pocket of time to enjoy the cooler weather before summer sets in. And for those of you planning to jet off for summer, what better way to use up pantry staples, freezer items and condiments sitting in your fridge? Don’t forget, we at yufeed are all about no waste after all, especially given the times, it helps to be sustainable.

If however, the thought of hosting feels a little daunting, don’t worry about that, because as usual, we’re here to help. So, let’s get started:

To begin with, the concept of a spring gathering is all about hope, new beginnings and a sense of togetherness – all things we really need right now – so keep reading!

How to Host the Perfect Spring Gathering

1. As always, keep it simple, and plan ahead; we’ve said it many times before, 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, then reign things in to your own comfort levels. Just remember, your guests are there to see you, and 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; create the right ambiance, and if you’re going for ‘spring’, then make sure you give your guests exactly that. Whether you’re having it inside our outdoors, you can easily set the tone with the right flowers, pastel colours, good lighting and some background music. If flowers are expensive or inaccessible right now, then make it easier with some greenery and potted plants. Another idea is to use mason jars instead of fancy vases, fill them with fresh herbs and/or dried flowers; this makes for a lovely spring feel. Alternatively, a display of seasonal fruits and vegetables are also an easy way to set the tone.

3. Plan a seasonal menu; think along the lines of fresh flavours and vibrant colours, such as hearty salads, roasted seasonal vegetables, grilled meats and tangy seasonings. In fact, get on yufeed, put in your filters and see what you can find. A few spring favourites include our Y’s Stuffed Capsicum & Tomatoes, Pasta Primavera, Prawn Pad Thai, Easy Fish & Bean Stew, Lemony Chicken Piccata, Fish or Prawn Tacos, Crab Linguini or yufeed’s Easiest Roast Beef – Again, endless possibilities and lots of options to choose from. Depending on the size of your party, use our Gatherings setting on the app and we’ll do the thinking for you!

4. For dessert, stick to the classics; lemon or blueberry cake, chocolate cake or your favourite spring pie and/or cookies. Make your dessert a day ahead, so the only thing you’ll need to worry about on the day is bringing it out! Don’t have time for dessert? Never mind, a seasonal fruit platter and some ice cream is plenty!

5. In addition to background music, it might be fun to have a few games lined up, especially if your guests don’t know each other that well, this would be a good way to break the ice.

There you have it, 5 manageable ways to host your next spring gathering. Times may be tough, but we still have our community, friends and family to make things a little easier! Any tips and tricks you readers would like to share?