It’s been a long two years but it’s finally time to throw open your front door and invite your mum friends to come in from the cold.

While most of us enjoy having a chat at school collection time, there’s only so much you can discuss in ten minutes. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to get our little Whatsapp group together IRL to relax over a meal and a glass of Prosecco.

The problem is that it’s been so long since I’ve played host that I’m extremely out of practice. If you’re going out, your only concern is making sure you look decent (throw on some lipstick and a nice top and Bob’s your uncle); however if you’re having people over, getting the house in order is a whole new ball game.

Here are a few ways to ensure you’re the hostess with the mostest at your next mum's meet up:

Coats Off!

Although warm temperatures are on the horizon, for now, we’re all still wrapping ourselves up in big coats. It’s a good idea to think ahead about where to store your friends’ jackets so they don’t resort to throwing them on the sofa. If you have space, a new coat stand for the hall is the perfect solution and it will be handy for the kids when they come home from school too. If this isn’t an option, simply ensure that your families coats are put away upstairs so that the usual space you use is free of clutter.

Dinnerware To Die For

Unfortunately, when you have kids, your crockery doesn’t have a long shelf life. While it’s lovely to pick out dinnerware with trendy patterns, as soon as a few bits get broken you end up with a mishmash of clashing prints that’s enough to give you a headache. Do yourself a favour and get some plain white plates, bowls and mugs that will look smart when you lay the table for your guests.

Say It With Flowers

Now spring is on the way, we’re all obsessed with flowers. Choose from artificial (but authentic-looking) peonies, roses or hydrangeas for your table centrepiece and you can whip them out every time you have people over without having to remember to water them. Just be careful your kids don’t pick them…

Musical Chairs

During lockdown, we picked out a new dining table and chairs that sits four people. Of course, it was fine while there was just four of us but now we’ll be having people over it’s left us in a bit of a pickle. Rather than having to buy a new set, I’m going to look out for a comfy bench that will seat extra guests and some stools that would be suitable for kids. The moral of the story is to make sure you have enough seats for everyone before you send out your invites for a mum's meet up!

Wax Lyrical

Most of us have a house full of half-burned scented candles but if you want to impress your guests choose some unscented taper or pillar candles for your dinner table that will create a lovely, relaxing ambience. With a bit of luck, the more relaxed your mum friends are, the more likely they are to spill the beans and fill you in on all the gossip!