Kristen Bowen is the founder and lead designer behind House of Gleason, a home linens and accessories brand inspired by fashion, family handiwork, and the art of homemaking. From her home studio in North Carolina, Kristen creates pieces that feel refined yet never too serious, especially her linen cocktail napkins, which are designed to surprise, delight, and spark conversation.

Her approach to gathering follows the same spirit. Kristen likes a night with personality. A little music, a little candlelight, something unexpected at the door, and enough ease in the room for people to settle in and laugh.

For Kristen, planning a gathering does not begin with a perfect house or an elaborate menu. It starts with a feeling.

Hosting Q&A with Kristen Bowen

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

A: I usually start with music. There is something about a playlist that immediately creates ambiance. I hosted a small summer cocktail party with some gals on the back porch and played Billie Holiday Radio, and guests felt like they were in an entirely different place and time. Another go-to is Wine Bar on Spotify.

Q: What is your favorite way to break the ice?

A: Our linen cocktail napkins are the best ice breaker. They are designed to be playful and unexpected, so it is easy for guests to start chatting right away.

Q: If you had a limited budget for a small dinner party, what would you focus on?

A: Lighting. The flickering glow of candles creates such a vibe at a low cost. It is one of the easiest ways to make a table feel special without spending much.

Q: What makes a great gathering memorable?

A: Laughter. When a host makes the evening feel casual and free-flowing, and there is time to just yap, I leave the party with a full cup because we spent most of the evening laughing.

Q: What advice would you give someone who feels overwhelmed by hosting friends at home?

A: I struggled with this too and had to work to overcome it. We have this perception that our homes have to be absolutely perfect, and it is just unrealistic. At the end of the day, no one truly cares if you missed a dust bunny. It shows that you are human.

Q: What is your signature recipe or drink when hosting?

A: If there is one thing you make this summer for guests, please let it be Ina Garten’s Watermelon Cosmopolitans. You will not regret it.

Q: What is your go-to soundtrack for a dinner party at home?

A: I created my own playlist called Porch Music for cocktails on my back porch. It is an eclectic mix of jazz and soft rock.

Q: What is your favorite party trick?

A: My favorite party trick is having something completely unexpected. And if I am being honest, I enjoy being a little extra. Hire a musician to play for an hour as guests arrive, like an electric guitarist, a violinist, or even a saxophonist. It catches people completely off guard in the best possible way and instantly sets the tone for an unforgettable evening.

Q: What do you love about Partytrick?

A: I absolutely love the planning portion of Partytrick. It makes planning any event a breeze. From every step of planning the event to the guest list, decor, and food, you will not miss a single beat.

Q: What is the most memorable gathering you have hosted recently?

A: The most memorable event I hosted recently was a St. Patrick’s Day Mahjong party. Since I love St. Patrick’s Day and tend to be a little extra, I hired a bagpipe player to greet guests as they arrived. While sipping Leprechaun Kiss cocktails, guests enjoyed the unexpected spectacle of the bagpiper, making it a truly unforgettable night.

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

A: My favorite things to use are our linen cocktail napkins. Guests can get hesitant to use nice things like linen, but I always say to use the good stuff.

Partytrick Take: Real Hosting Takeaways

Kristen’s hosting style works because it is sensory, playful, and personal. She uses details that make guests feel as if they have stepped into a moment, but she keeps the energy relaxed enough for the night to unfold naturally.

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

Start with one defining element: the mood. Pick a playlist before you plan anything else, then build the gathering around that feeling.

For a porch cocktail night, that might mean jazz, candles, linen napkins, and one great drink. You do not need a complicated menu or an overdone tablescape. A clear atmosphere gives the party direction.

What is the most important planning decision behind this gathering?

The most important decision is deciding how you want guests to feel when they arrive.

For Kristen, that feeling is playful, warm, and just a little unexpected. That choice shapes everything else: music sets the pace, candles soften the space, cocktail napkins spark conversation, and a surprise musician or themed drink gives guests something to remember.

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

• Make a playlist first, especially if you are not sure where to start.
• Use candles to create atmosphere on a budget.
• Put out one conversation-starting detail, like playful napkins or an unexpected drink.
• Let the gathering feel casual enough for people to laugh and linger.
• Do not wait for your home to be perfect before inviting people in.
• Use the good stuff, even for a small night at home.

Want more from Kristen Bowen? Follow @houseofgleason and explore their linen cocktail napkins and home accessories for more playful hosting inspiration. Ready to plan your own gathering? Create a free Partytrick account and start with one of our playbooks:

• Caviar Dreaming of Studio 54
• Always Sparkling Dinner Party
• Party Like It's 1999

‍