Monthly Tips & Events
Preparing your Living Space for Entertaining
• Furniture Flow: remove smaller pieces that aren't functional. Every item should either work as a place to put a drink, or seating. Adding ottomans and stools is always helpful. Make sure the conversation area doesn’t involve craning one’s neck or screaming distance for your guests. Pull your dining room chairs away from the table and scatter strategically throughout the home.
• Bar & Food placement: Put the bar in a spot where you WANT people to congregate, but have enough room for a small “line”. If you don’t want people in the kitchen, don’t put the bar there. Also, scatter food around the entertaining area, not just at the dining room table or buffet. Having an auxillary bar with either a signature cocktail or just wine can ease some of the crowding at the main bar.
• Caterer’s Tricks: Borrow a Rolling Coat Rack from a friend or purchase one at a home store. Have it ready in your front hall with empty coat hangers so you aren’t trying to shove coats into your full front hall closet, and you aren’t having to run upstairs to retrieve coats at the end of the evening. Stores like Ikea sell plain wine glasses, clear glass plates and even flatware that is cheaper or comparable to renting from a caterer. You will have it forever, and it is great for the environment (not using paper). Buy in bulk, and add non-scented (smell competes with food) candles, pink lightbulbs (makes everyone look younger) and an attractive freestanding garbage can to your list. Guests shouldn’t have to pull on every door of your kitchen looking for the garbage!
• Fun extras: Have a pre-made playlist on your MP3 Player on shuffle that lasts the length of the party, so you won’t have to fuss with it during the evening. If your TV is in plain sight, run an old black and white movie with the sound turned off or get one of the Yule Log DVDs on a loop. Put away remote controls, newspapers, mail, magazines and even pretty coffee table books as people will want clear surfaces for food and drink. If you never got anything hung up on your walls, you can hang holiday cards with double stick painters tape for a quick and fun display.
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