The afternoon light hits differently when you’re getting ready to host. It’s softer somehow, as if the house itself understands there’s a gathering coming and leans into the glow. On the dining room table, a length of evergreen garland waits to be unfurled. In the background, Vivaldi and Charlie Brown (or even Chris Brown, depending on your crowd) take turns on the stereo, trading gentle piano for strings that feel like falling snow. Somewhere between the hum of the oven and the rustle of tissue paper, a quiet checklist begins to form. For some households, that checklist is an institution. Perfect music playlist, check—unless Uncle, also known as DJ Gene,…