Meghan Markle's top 5 tips for hosting, as seen on her show, 'With Love, Meghan'

Creating meaningful moments, Meghan Markle shares her love for hosting on her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan. Talking about creating thoughtful living, with warm conversations, fun and food, she shares a multitude of ways to make a gathering memorable. Good hosting does not need to be extravagant, but should be rooted in presence, planning, and generosity. As she invites various people over, Meghan explores different ways of showing care and creating bonds with her guests. To make memorable moments with your guests, long after the party is over, here are five notes of advice she shares on her show, that apply in real life too. 

1. Hosting starts with intention

Hosting is an art that begins long before the guests arrive. It isn't just about the food or the table set-up, but rather the whole experience of wanting to share something special with people close to you. From when guests first enter the space to how the time is paced, it's about making them comfortable. That is when decisions such as dinner planning and interior set-up become more purposeful. It's not about just one right thing, but rather multiple choices that come together to make a personalised and memorable evening. This mindset reframes hosting as a process, rather than a moment. Meghan's tip saves from the last-minute panic as well. Since everything is planned beforehand, she is able to be fully present while catching up with friends. A process like this is the secret recipe for a great time!

2. Simplicity creates a lasting impact

A host’s presence is just as important as the food on the table. Meghan deliberately chooses to make food that is relatively simple, so that she can step away from the kitchen and spend time with her guests, giving them her full attention. By simplifying the logistics of hosting, the focus shifts back to human connection and having a genuinely good time. Her show redefines hosting stereotypes that the more complex the planning, the greater the gathering will be. Stuck in this loop of expectations, sometimes it is best to take a step back, breathe, and plan a day that is comfortable and fun, for both the guests and the host. Always remember, guests value time with their hosts over immaculate execution.

3. Be personal rather than perfect

The feeling of being valued, cherished and seen is something that guests are bound to take back home. Perfection is not the goal; connection is. Across the series, Meghan describes hosting as an opportunity to share love. Guests are not just put in a space; rather, they are acknowledged and valued in it. Adding personalisation to the process, for example, using ingredients that are favourites of the guests, is among the small things that show thoughtfulness and attention to detail. These values of care reflect on the host and set the table for open conversations and fun memories to look back on. This tip makes the space warmer and welcomes the guests into an atmosphere of belonging. Now that is a dinner that anyone would remember fondly.

(Also Read: Meghan Markle confesses that she’s the happiest she has ever been)

4. Presentation is power

From imagining the space to the visual aesthetic, a good presentation can bind the whole interaction. It creates an elevated experience for guests that leaves them in awe. It doesn't need to be complex or forced; again, simplicity creates a large impact. Picking the right plates is enough to make the meal tastefully elegant. How food and spaces are displayed affects how people feel, making presentation a quiet form of value and care. The point of hosting is to create an atmosphere of openness and warmth, and little elements like fresh flowers help set a brighter and deliberate mood. This silent tool uses subtle choices to create a large impact.

5. The open kitchen

It is not about the physical boundary of a kitchen, but an openness in welcoming guests where conversation and participation are valued. Meghan often allows for cooking to happen alongside connection, dissolving the divide between hosts and guests. Creating an energy where guests feel at home is a complete win for any host. Being authentic and enjoying the process does not make the gathering ‘casual’ or ‘unplanned’ as many would think; it is rather a genuine way to invite someone into the host's space, and reinforce the idea of togetherness. The kitchen is a great place to make this happen. The quiet intimacy of letting your guests into the kitchen allows the host to enjoy the company of loved ones, in addition to breaking the fourth wall of formal, traditional gatherings. 

Text by Nikita Gupta 

Edited by Sabrina Mathews