Having People Over

In a world that often feels disconnected and transactional, there's something quietly radical about inviting people over. We're talking about the kind of hospitality that doesn't require matching napkins or a kitchen that looks like it belongs in a magazine.

Chelsea Fagan, author and CEO, has written a book that actually understands this. Having People Over is the kind of guide we didn't know we needed--one that treats entertaining not as performance art but as a genuine way to build community. She walks us through the practical stuff: how to design a space that doesn't stress us out when someone drops by, how to plan a menu that won't trap us in the kitchen, how to set a table without overthinking it.

The book covers the basics we've somehow forgotten. There's a section on cocktail hours, past and future, with recipes for those of us who drink and those who don't. There's the full dinner party tutorial--inviting people, setting the mood, actually enjoying yourself while it's happening. And maybe most importantly, there's permission to do this at whatever budget makes sense for us.

It's a book about creating moments worth staying in for. Not moments that look good on Instagram, but moments that feel like home.