THE TRUITT HOUSE EDIT
Come with us as we tell meaningful stories of preservation, restoration and hospitality. Explore Suffolk, Virginia’s rich history and share in our favorite experiences at The Truitt House.
How Do I Host the Holidays Without Losing My Mind?
December arrives loudly, full of charm and chaos in equal measure. Even the calmest among us can feel the pressure to rush through a season meant to be savored. But holiday hospitality isn’t measured in menus or perfectly kept traditions. It lives in the glow of the tree at dawn, in honest food shared after a parade, in the quiet confidence of opening your door just as you are. People aren’t coming for a perfect Christmas—they’re coming for a warm one.
A Front-Row Seat to Christmas
As the Christmas parade gathered just beyond the porch, friends gathered inside, drawn by the warmth of a full house and the easy promise of a December evening well spent. Outside, bands fell into formation and children swayed to distant drums; inside, plates were passed, stories traded, and laughter settled comfortably into the rooms. It was the kind of night we all recognized — part anticipation, part memory — where hosting meant opening the door wide and letting people, food, and tradition mingle. By the time the crowd drifted to the porch, the parade felt less like something to watch and more like something we already belonged to.
The Myth of the Ready Host
December has a way of convincing us that everything must be fully formed before it is shared.
The tree must be perfect before guests arrive. The house must be in order before anyone steps inside. The table must be complete before a place is set.
And quietly, almost imperceptibly, that thinking transfers to us.
I’ll invite when I feel ready. I’ll gather when life feels calmer. I’ll open my door when I’m more confident, more rested, more put together.
But readiness has never been the price of belonging.