There’s this pressure people feel around “hosting.” It’s easy to picture Pinterest-perfect tables, twelve matching chairs, or sprawling backyards. But the truth is, some of the best gatherings happen in small spaces, apartments, or even outside with folding chairs. Hosting is less about square footage and more about creating a vibe where people feel comfortable, fed, and happy.
At Cured, we’ve seen it all — downtown condos, cozy backyards, family dining rooms, even office boardrooms that get turned into party spaces. And the thing we know for sure? Hosting doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right food, a bit of intention, and a relaxed approach, you can throw something that feels effortless, no matter your setup.
Small Space, Big Energy
If you’re working with a small apartment or condo, the trick is to lean into intimacy instead of fighting it.
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Go vertical: Stacking food on tiered trays or using cake stands for fruit and cheese instantly makes the space feel abundant without taking over every inch of counter.
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Buffet over sit-down: Don’t stress about setting a full table. Put a charcuterie tray, a sandwich platter, and a crudité spread on the counter or coffee table and let people serve themselves.
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Keep it flowing: In smaller rooms, guests will naturally rotate between sitting, standing, and leaning on things. Finger food is your friend here. Charcuterie, candy trays, or mini sandwiches mean no one’s juggling forks and knives.
And honestly? People love the cozy vibe of small spaces. It feels more casual, less performative, and way more personal.
Backyard or Balcony Hosting
If you have outdoor space, September in Ontario is basically your golden hour. The weather’s cool enough for candles, but warm enough to linger outside.
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Mix seating: It doesn’t need to match. Pull out chairs, benches, cushions, even a blanket on the grass. A mix makes it feel relaxed.
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Serve hearty snacks: Sandwich trays work perfectly outside because they’re portable. Add fruit cups or individual charcuterie cups if you want something people can grab without hovering over the table.
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Keep drinks simple: A cooler with cider, wine, sparkling water, or canned cocktails saves you from playing bartender.
And don’t forget lighting — string lights or a couple of lanterns instantly make even the smallest backyard feel like an “event.”
Food: The Centerpiece
Here’s the thing: food sets the tone. You don’t need a gourmet kitchen or hours of prep to pull off a spread that feels special. You just need the right mix of things.
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Something fresh: Fruit trays or crudités. Colourful, light, and they double as décor.
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Something hearty: Sandwich platters or charcuterie boards. These are the anchor.
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Something fun: Candy or dessert trays. They’re playful, and people always gather around them.
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Something personal: Add a custom touch — a platter with someone’s favourite cheese, or snack cups with dietary tweaks for certain guests.
The nice part about ordering trays? You can spend your time actually enjoying your guests instead of stuck in the kitchen.
Dietary Needs Without the Drama
Hosting at home means you probably know your group well. Which also means you know there’s always a mix of needs: one vegetarian, one gluten-free, one person who doesn’t do pork, someone who’s “just trying to eat light.”
The trick isn’t bending yourself into a pretzel to make a dozen separate dishes. It’s making sure the spread covers a little bit of everything:
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A veggie-heavy crudité platter.
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A sandwich tray with a mix (roast veggie, turkey, prosciutto + brie).
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Fruit trays for anyone keeping it lighter.
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Charcuterie for the people who came hungry.
If you want to go a step further, we can customize snack boxes, sandwich portions, or even candy mixes that are nut-free or branded just for your event. Easy.
Hosting Hacks That Actually Help
Here are the things that make a difference but don’t get talked about enough:
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Plates and napkins matter. Don’t overthink décor, but don’t leave people balancing food on their laps without a napkin. We offer disposable cutlery and plates so you don’t end up with a sink full of dishes.
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Music > silence. Doesn’t need to be loud, just something to fill the air. Start chill, then let it pick up once people settle in.
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Candles and lighting. They cover a lot of sins. Even if your place isn’t styled, candles instantly make it feel warm.
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Timing is your friend. For small spaces, stagger arrivals — invite people for “drop-in drinks” instead of all at once. For bigger spaces, layer food throughout the night instead of putting everything out at once.
The Human Side of Hosting
Hosting is really just about making people feel welcome. No one remembers if your chairs matched or if you had the perfect floral arrangement. They remember that you had food they liked, that they felt included, and that the vibe was relaxed.
Some of our favourite moments? Watching people gather around a candy tray like kids, seeing coworkers bond over a sandwich platter, or friends realizing they’ve eaten half the brie without noticing. It’s those casual, unplanned things that make a night feel real.
The Cured Difference
This is where we love to help. Our trays are built for exactly these moments — whether it’s a downtown condo get-together, a backyard hang, or a full dinner party. We cover the mix of fresh, hearty, and fun so you don’t have to stress. And if you want it tailored — dietary needs, personal touches, even branded packaging — we’ve got you.
Because the truth is, hosting at home isn’t about perfection. It’s about abundance, laughter, and food that brings people together. And that’s what we do best.
👉 Browse our charcuterie, crudités, fruit and candy trays, and sandwich platters to make your next home gathering effortless.