Amanda McClements is the founder and creative director of Salt & Sundry, a pair of lifestyle boutiques in Washington, DC known for elevated, approachable home goods that make everyday life (and entertaining) feel special. 

After a decade as a food and lifestyle editor and writer, Amanda opened her first shop in 2012 at Union Market and has been helping people build warm, welcoming homes ever since. Her hosting style is rooted in the same idea: set the scene, smooth the awkward moments, then let the night unfold naturally. 

Hosting Q&A with Amanda

Q: When planning a gathering in your home, where do you start?

A: The occasion, followed very closely by the menu, is where I start. As a former food writer, I’m often inspired to throw a party around a certain dish or type of food I’m excited to cook and share. Maybe it’s a seafood boil laid out in the newspaper for summer, or a glam oyster cocktail buffet in winter. Also the people. Often the kernel of an idea for a gathering comes from the people I’d love to find more time with.

Q: Share your favorite ways to break the ice or things to do to entertain guests:

A: Anticipating people’s needs on arrival is the best way to break the ice and get guests into the groove quickly. Make sure they know where to put their coats and bags, get a drink in their hands, and make introductions as needed. It’s about smoothing out all those awkward points when entering someone’s home. During a party, I like the gathering to feel organic and natural, so I’m not putting anyone on the spot with organized fun. Good people, good music, and good food are the best recipe.

Q: If you had a limited budget to put together a small dinner party, what would you focus on for the tablescape?

A: Pretty cloth napkins go such a long way and can be very affordable. It’s a great touch to make each place setting stand out. Combine that great textile accent with simple flowers in a few small clusters, and you’ve got a very chic little party.

Q: What makes a great gathering memorable?

A: You can certainly make a lasting impression with knockout decor and impressive food, but ultimately it’s the laughter and connections people make that stand out down the road.

Q: If someone is feeling overwhelmed by hosting their friends in their home, what tips would you give them?

A: This was one of the original reasons why I opened Salt & Sundry: to try to take the intimidation out of hosting. Remember, people love being invited over and do not expect perfection. Center the beauty that you’re gathering people you care about and let the rest be secondary. That said, getting organized in advance and having a few special touches you’re excited about can make you feel more confident going into the occasion. Prep food and flowers and even set the table the day or night before to give yourself breathing room.

Q: Share your signature recipe to serve when hosting.

A: My favorite hors d’oeuvre to serve is trout roe with potato chips, crème fraîche, and a little red onion on top. You can put each ingredient out in little bowls for guests to create their own perfect bite. And it’s excellent with Champagne.

Q: What’s your go-to soundtrack for a dinner party at home? We’d love your fave playlist!

A: I love making playlists and keep several go-tos updated for different vibes and seasons, so they’re always changing. A chill version I need to update soon: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0VR8EpUy9WHJWuLjejQvGd?si=2d3d5c7a087a4184

Q: At Partytrick, we’re all about finding ingenious tips, hacks, or tricks for hosting. So, tell us, what is your favorite party trick?

A: Being present. Nothing kills the vibe like a stressed-out host. Once the party starts, I try to leave anything that wasn’t done, any mishaps or snafus, out of mind so I can focus on the people in front of me. Cleaning, fretting, or talking about how something isn’t right is a great way to stress your guests out, so I think host job No. 1 is to enjoy yourself and go with the flow.

Q: What’s your favorite Partytrick feature?

A: I gobble up inspo anywhere I can find it, and Partytrick is a great resource for ideas and fresh perspectives.

Q: What is the most memorable party or gathering you’ve attended or hosted? Why?

A: My husband and I got married on the Harvest Moon in Spain, and as we sat for dinner under a canopy of lights, the full moon rose over the olive grove at the same moment the sun was setting, lighting up the sky with streaks of orange, purple, and pink. It was absolute magic. Being surrounded by a small group of friends and family as we celebrated into the night with porrons of wine and a dance party cut short by the police was a night I’ll never forget.

Q: What are your favorite products or brands to use when hosting?

A: I adore Soil to Studio’s blockprint textiles, which we’ve carried for years at Salt & Sundry. I love mixing her patterns to create a vibrant table. I’m also a big fan of the earthy modern shapes from Meso Goods and handblown glass from Bow Glassworks. I feel lucky I get to curate all of my tabletop favorites at the shops.

Partytrick Take: Real Hosting Takeaways

Amanda’s answers read like a reminder, not a rulebook: you don’t need more stuff or more effort to host well. You need a clear plan, a few intentional touches, and the ability to let go once the doorbell rings.

How can I recreate this hosting style in a simple way?

Pick one anchor detail and build around it. It can be a dish (oysters, seafood boil, a cozy winter spread) or one tablescape upgrade (cloth napkins). Keep everything else simple: a few small clusters of flowers, a playlist you love, and a drink ready when people walk in.

What is the most important planning decision behind this gathering?

Decide what you want the first five minutes to feel like. That single choice shapes everything: where coats go, where the first drink comes from, how guests enter the space, and how quickly the room relaxes. When arrivals feel smooth, the rest of the night tends to follow.

What can hosts borrow from this approach for their own event?

• Prep earlier than you think you need to (even setting the table the night before counts).
• Anticipate awkward moments and design them out: coats, drinks, intros.
• Choose food that makes you excited, not stressed.
• Once guests arrive, drop the to-do list and join the party.

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Want more from Amanda? Follow along at @saltandsundry and @amandalovessalt, and explore Salt & Sundry and Amanda McClements for more inspiration. Ready to plan your own gathering? Create a free Partytrick account and start with our playbooks.

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