First-generation American-Liberian Mattie James understands the power of a welcoming space better than most. Having moved frequently throughout childhood due to her father’s job, she developed a keen sense of what makes a house feel like home. Now settled in Atlanta with her husband Chris and their family, James has become known for her exceptional hospitality skills and warm approach to homemaking.

“I’m not perfect, but my hospitality is purposeful,” James explains. This intentionality shines through in everything she does, from intimate gatherings to large celebrations. At a recent birthday party, she hosted 46 adults and 40 children who comfortably lingered for 6-7 hours—a testament to the environment she creates. “I have a heart for hospitality, not just hosting,” she notes, highlighting the distinction between merely entertaining and truly welcoming others.

James has more than a handful of ways to make her guests’ visits memorable, but here are three tips you can steal to instantly elevate your hosting game, whether you’re hosting a dinner, girls’ night, or overnight guests.

1. Consider the Purpose of the Visit

When preparing to welcome guests, James begins with a fundamental question: What brings them to her home? “I try to think of the reason someone is coming over. Are they coming over to catch up? Did they have a new baby? Then go from there,” she advises.

This thoughtful approach allows her to tailor the experience to her guests’ specific needs and circumstances, ensuring they feel truly seen and considered. It’s this personalization that transforms ordinary gatherings into meaningful connections.

2. Create a Pre-Dinner Grazing Board

For larger holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving and Christmas, James recommends preparing a grazing board before serving the main meal.

“If people are coming over to eat, I do a grazing board before serving dinner,” she shares. “It’s also beautiful to look at.” The visual appeal combined with accessible snacks helps guests feel immediately comfortable while creating a natural gathering spot for conversation.

James takes her grazing board strategy a step further by including options for all ages. “I make a kid-friendly version, too,” she adds, ensuring that every guest, regardless of age, feels considered and included.

3. Welcome Overnight Guests with Thoughtful Baskets

For overnight visitors, James elevates the experience with personalized welcome baskets that anticipate needs before they arise.

“If I have overnight guests, I am definitely going to welcome-basket you. I don’t want people to walk on eggshells. I want them to feel safe and at home,” she explains. These thoughtfully curated baskets typically include essentials like fresh towels and a scented candle, along with practical touches like a card displaying the WiFi password—eliminating the awkwardness of having to ask.

The key, according to James, is incorporating “a personalized touch to make people feel thought of.” This attention to detail creates an immediate sense of belonging that helps guests settle in comfortably.

The impact of true thoughtfulness extends beyond the moment itself. “It makes people want to come back,” James notes, highlighting how these details create lasting impressions that guests carry with them long after they’ve departed.

For James, exceptional hospitality isn’t about achieving perfection—it’s about creating joy. This philosophy will be central to her upcoming session at Blavity Fest in Atlanta on May 31-June 1, where she’ll be leading a conversation on “How to Create Intentional Moments of Joy at Home, Work, and Life”.

“[At Blavity Fest] I’m excited about seeing a bunch of Black people learning new things and discovering new spaces,” James says. “For any home and lifestyle lovers, it’s important to know that it isn’t about perfection, it’s about joy. It’s about finding your ‘home genius’ and your magic. It’s unique for all of us and that’s what makes it magic.”

As the lifestyle expert prepares to share her insights at the inaugural Blavity Fest, James continues to demonstrate that true hospitality isn’t about impressing others, but rather about making them feel genuinely welcomed, seen, and valued.