Lacey Chabert Has Ideas For Being Both A Gracious Host And Guest This Holiday Season

The Queen of Hallmark knows a thing or two about holiday hosting.

‘Tis the season for holiday gatherings. Whether it’s an office party or your neighborhood cookie swap, or you’re headed to your in-laws for a Christmas Eve feast, it’s a busy time of year. If you aren’t going to a party, maybe you’re hosting one. Well, just your luck, Mississippi native and Hallmark movie queen, Lacey Chabert has tips on how to be the perfect host and guest this season.

In a recent conversation with Southern Living about her partnership with Glade, the actress shared some wonderful advice and reminders for all during this festive time of year. “I love the holidays. I get so excited for this time of year, every year…I just love the season so much. So I try to make my home an inviting experience when guests walk in and there’s Christmas music playing and you have a candle burning. It just creates that Christmas ambiance.”

When playing host, Chabert says the first thing she focuses on is creating a festive mood the minute you step inside the door. “When I have company coming over to my house I want them to walk in and I love the idea of a scent trail. There’s one room that smells a certain way that leads into the other room. And there are certain candles that go well with the main course and desserts. And I just love that experience of everything smelling great.”

This is where her partnership with Glade comes in handy and their new limited edition holiday fragrances can help you create a wonderful winter wonderland right in your very own home. The new scents include Twinkling Pine & Cedar, Crisp Cranberry Champagne, and Chabert’s personal favorite, Starlight & Snowflakes which she says smells just like “freshly fallen snow.”

In addition to a great smelling home, Chabert says, “I think it’s also important that you also cater to the different people that are coming to your home. If you have a bunch of kids coming over, I learned with my daughter, there always needs to be an activity. Whether it is an arts and crafts [project] that they can do together or color pages so they can color or paint. Or a hot chocolate station. My daughter is really into doing things herself right now. So it’s having a hot chocolate bar set up where she can put the marshmallows and all the toppings. Kids love things like that.”

She also thinks it’s important when playing host to remember, “why you’re doing this and not get so caught up in the busyness of it but just to enjoy it and look around. At the end of the day it really is about being together and the love and friendships that you all share.”

When attending a party or going to someone else’s home, like all Southerners know, Chabert doesn’t arrive empty-handed. “ I think it is always nice to show up with something. Whether it’s a baked good or you know something from the heart.” She also suggests pairing a candle with a pair of slippers and a set of pajamas. “To say thank you for having me at your home tonight and here is your self care package for afterwards.”

Now, we love a soiree that centers around holiday movie viewing and it just so happens that Chabert has not one but two new flicks as a part of Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas offerings this year. Be sure to add A Very Scottish Christmas and Haul Out the Holly Lit Up to your watch list.

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Read the original article on Southern Living.