Once again, the time has come to tackle holiday entertaining. While undoubtedly a daunting task, successfully pulling it off is far from impossible.
We’ll provide you with some surefire ways to make sure invitations to your holiday parties are never turned down.
First, it is important to keep space in mind. Having more guests than the space can accommodate can place a damper on the mood of everyone in attendance.
Consider the fact that credenzas, armoires, the table and chairs take up more space in a room than meets the eye, especially when 15-20 more people than usual are trying to circulate around them.
So unless the space in which you’re entertaining is exceptionally large, try to whittle the invitees down to a manageable size for everyone’s benefit.
Worried about space, but don’t want to offend people by not inviting them? Not a problem. Avoid the dinner table altogether by hosting an event with a signature drink and heavy hors d’oeuvres.
If your guests drink, setting the alcohol in location separate from the food will reduce traffic jams and encourage mingling. It doesn’t even have to be a proper bar, per se, but can simply be a table, dresser or cabinet borrowed from another room.
Purchasing quality cookware can spare immense headaches because they can go directly from the kitchen to the table. While it may seem expensive in the short-term, it is truly an investment as quality cookware can last for generations.
Above all else, make sure the party reflects your style and your tastes. If the uber-formal dinner party isn’t your idea of a good time, don’t force it. It’s more about the people and experiences.