No matter the time of year, there’s nothing quite like connecting with friends and loved ones at a festive fête. As a new holiday season approaches, here are a few simple steps to help you host the perfect party every time.
Choose a Theme
Your options for a theme are endless but choosing one will help guide your food, drinks and decor. Theme the party around a favourite country or region or have a little fun and choose a clever pop culture trend or film. You don’t have to go crazy with the theme either, holidays are themes in and of themselves, as are the seasons: think a midsummer night’s garden party or a fall harvest BBQ.
Set Your Menu
Play off your overall party theme when choosing your food but remember to keep things simple. You want to enjoy the night and not be constantly in the kitchen. Put out an array of platters and boards that you can prepare well ahead of time and then easily refill throughout the party. Opt for simple hor d'oeuvre-style snacks and make sure to have a variety of options to suit dietary restrictions.
Create Places for Gathering
The trick to getting your guests to mingle and chat is to create a space for them to do so by creating smaller conversation areas. Whether you’re inside or outside you can do this by arranging furniture together (think a set of chairs or a love seat and a chair) and laying out a smaller tablescape with snacks so your guests can graze and move around. Add some floor pillows and blankets to add an extra layer of comfort.
Layer Your Lighting
Lighting can have a huge impact on the overall vibe of a party. Leave off overhead lights and layer the lighting throughout the space. Turn on lamps, use dimmers if you have them and fill the space with an eclectic collection of candles. If you’re outside, string lights overhead always feel dreamy and outdoor citronella candles not only keep the bugs away but add an extra touch of whimsy.
Stock Your Bar Cart
Pick a signature cocktail to serve to your guests when they arrive; opt for one you can make ahead of time in a large pitcher to make serving a breeze. Set up a bar area and invite guests to help themselves. Keep wine on ice and set out some basic spirits with a variety of mixes and garnishes. And don’t forget the non-alcoholic drinks – beyond the obvious options, non-alcoholic spirits like Seedlip are becoming increasingly popular, as are alcohol-free cocktails like Wild Folk.
How do you put together the perfect party? Leave us a comment below.
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