Fewer people are hosting friends and family at home, a shift that reflects broader changes in how people socialise and spend their time.
In the US, the share of people who regularly host dropped to 12% in 2026, down from 42% in 1975, according to data cited in the piece. In the UK, a poll of 2,000 adults found more than four in 10 British people avoid hosting at home, citing the clean-up as a barrier.
Rehanna, 41, from Birmingham, exemplifies the trend. She once enjoyed hosting before having children. Now her house fills with toys and she lacks time to plan elaborate meals. She prefers going to restaurants with friends rather than preparing food at home. When she does host, she serves cold buffets made in advance, unable to cook and entertain simultaneously.
The shift extends beyond busy parents. Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson, known for championing home cooking, revealed she had "got out of the habit" of hosting formal dinner parties.
The reasons behind the decline span practical constraints and changing preferences. Childcare responsibilities, time scarcity and the appeal of professional dining establishments compete with home entertaining. The effort required to clean and prepare a home for guests deters many.