The jeweler and consummate host Nicole Whisenhunt shares five ways to make gatherings feel thoughtful, personal, and memorable.
We met our August 2026 ALPHA, Nicole Whisenhunt, at home one afternoon, shortly before she welcomed a small group of friends. It was the perfect setting to ask for her top five tips on hosting at home, drawn from the intimate, beautifully considered gatherings for which the fine jewelry designer has become known. Whether it’s the tablescape or menu, every detail is one that feels personal, purposeful, and tailored to the people gathered around her table.
ALPHA is Lifestyle Asia’s series dedicated to accomplished figures whose experience has shaped industries, communities, and cultureCultureshared traditions, beliefs, values, customs, arts, and social practices that define the identity and way of life of a community, society, or nation.Go to Culture Glossary. Through its quick-fire profiles and practical ALPHA Tips, the series draws from the perspectives they’ve developed over the years, from the defining choices behind their work to the wisdom they bring into everyday life.
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Before Whisenhunt’s guests arrived, we asked our August 2026 ALPHA to share her five top tips for hosting a memorable gathering at home.
Tip #1: Let your entertaining style reflect your personality.
Your table, menu, and the way you host should feel like you. Set the table and cook in a way that feels natural and comfortable to you. Entertaining doesn’t have to follow a formula. Your guests will appreciate “when you do you!”
Tip #2: Cook what you know.
Martha Stewart once advised never to serve guests a recipe you haven’t tried and tested, and it’s something I’ve always remembered. Save yourself the unnecessary stress and cook what you’re confident making!
Tip #3: Plan ahead and be prepared.
I like to plan the menu, table, and little details in advance. I was once told that the host sets the mood of a gathering. If you’re relaxed, your guests will be too. The more you can do beforehand, the more you can actually enjoy the evening with them.
Tip #4: Set the mood.
Lighting, music, flowers, and candles can completely transform a room. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. It’s often the little details that create the atmosphere and make an evening feel special.
Tip #5: Make people feel at home.
At the end of the day, good hosting is about how you make people feel. Be generous, be attentive, and don’t worry about everything being perfect. The best evenings are often the ones where everyone feels comfortable enough to laugh and linger a little longer.
Photography by Kieran Punay of KLIQ, Inc.
