I'm hosting a dinner party for 8 tomorrow night. It's been a busy couple of weeks, but I want to make sure that each of my guests feel special. I checked with them all via email to ensure the date was available on their calendars, then hand-wrote invitations and popped them in the mail. I'm going for a contemporary look for the table, and with 8 people things can get a little crowded, so I'm using stemless glassware and simple place settings. Each guest is new to one another, so I've created place cards and written the guest name on both sides, so there are no chances of forgotten names during dinner! The menu will be fresh and simple with a little Mediterranean flair: Roasted Red Pepper Crostini, some fresh-made Hummus for Hors D'oeuvres; Field Green salad with a special soy-vinaigrette, Baked Salmon, Dilled Red Potatoes, Roasted Asparagus, and a flour-less Chocolate Cake for dessert (provided kindly by one of my guests by my special request.) I have the table set already and am about to go and do all the shopping....the key is to stick to a plan but allow for flexibility!
My husband and I went to a fun and festive Christmas party last night. It wasn't the usual by any means, the host and hostess did an amazing job at creating the perfect kitschy Christmas mood. First, the invitation that arrived (in the mail!) encouraged guests to wear ugly sweaters. When we arrived (in our ugly sweaters) the hostess was at the front door clad in a cute Mrs. Claus dress with a smile and a hug....she pointed us in the direction of the bar continued greeting her guests. The bar set-up was outside complete with a home-brew beer made by the host (clad in a santa outfit)...."excellent!" according to my husband. The food and bar we separated, key to getting guests to mill around and mingle. A friend took pictures of everyone in their sweaters and loaded it onto the tv, so we could watch as the kitsch unfolded in the other rooms.
All the decor was fun and festive, she even put antlers on the tv! The backyard was lit with a giant blow-up Penguin in a santa hat. She had moved chairs, couches and tables to the side walls to allow more floor space and again encourage mingling. Catchy-Christmas tunes floated in to help set the mood. And as the night progressed the host and hostess did an amazing job at moving, mingling, chatting and working the rooms. I only saw them together twice!
My ugly sweater received and honorable mention, it was complete with built-in shoulder pads, a santa in his sleigh, and santa pins to replace the missing buttons. The winner....well, let's just say she had extra bows, glitter, pins, and lights hanging from her oversized frock, well-deserved!
Sorry for the radio silence in Blog-land....The Graceful Host has moved into a large studio space to accommodate all our fabulous events! In the midst of moving I started thinking about a long-lost party that needs to return: the Housewarming Party!
Housewarming parties don't have to happen immediately upon moving to a new home. In fact it's good to use the party as a goal to finish unpacking, pick new paint colors, and decorate the main areas of your home. However, even if you don't finish it all your guests will still have a good time.
I think a good housewarming party starts by deciding what kind of party you want to represent' the new digs. Is it a bachelorette pad? Then how about a Mad Men style cocktail party! Are you a newlyweds in your first home? The what about a grown-up brunch open-house! Did you just upgrade to a bigger pad to accommodate the growing family? Then how about a pool/bbq/lawn games afternoon!
Choose foods that can sit at room temperature if you are holding an open house format. Consider making a new signature cocktail for the new home, something simple and refreshing that you can and will serve after the party. Decor can be simple with fresh flowers and perhaps personalized napkins (house number or monogram).
Try to stay near the front door, so as guests arrive or depart you are there to greet and thank. Enjoy yourself, it the start to many more joyous times in your new home!
Well, maybe not a village, but at least some creativity and preparation. Events where kids are in attendance require a little bit of thoughtful consideration for the little people. For years my husband and I have invited our friends with kids over for everything from brunch to dinner....the key to successfully entertaining the whole family: books, a few toys and games, kid-friendly food and some patience.
I apply the same scenario to events we work on....if 10% or more of the guest list are kids of elementary school age or younger then we design a special area for them. It can be as simple as asking the caterer to make a chicken finger/french fry/fruit/milk & cookies buffet for them (which in turn is usually much cheaper per little head). We also travel to each event with a special 'kid-kit' filled with picture books, some games, colors, paper, stickers and bubbles. Amazingly the kit has turned even the sourest of faces into a grin. If you are expecting more than 10% of the guest list in the form of little ones consider hiring professional event babysitters and/or kid entertainers....magicians, balloon artists, clowns, face-painters....anything you do to keep them happy will in turn keep their parents happy. That means happy guests all around!
I am frequently asked for ideas for gifts for several different occasions....birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, but my favorite gift giving occasion are babies. I take a different approach to baby gifts...I figure the parents have all the things they need via family and friends and numerous showers. So I get a gift for the new mommy and daddy, something they can enjoy together.
If they are wine drinkers and I know mommy has had to abstain for 9 months then I get her a few bottles of her favorite wine. I will sometimes grab a six-pack of a unique microbrew for daddy too! Are they not that big on beverages, but would appreciate a dinner out? Then get a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant, and offer to babysit when they are ready for a night out....keep in mind it might be a few months until the take you up on the offer, let them adjust to parenthood in their own time.
The last gift idea is primarily for mommy, send her to the salon for a fresh hair-cut and possibly a mani-pedi. If she's apprehensive about leaving baby, go with her and watch baby while she's getting made-up. Then take her to lunch if she's up for it!
Try and go outside the box when it comes to baby gifts, the wrapping may not be ask cutesy, but the gift will definitely be remembered for years to come!
A big part of the Graceful Host planning process is focused on the guest experience. When you say you want your guests to have a good time, we work diligently to make sure that happens. Here are a few simple ways to ensure your guests truly feel special during your event: - Keep your guests informed, make sure they know the who, what, where, when and how (and what to wear) so they show up on time and ready!
- Don't make them wait....if your ceremony or dinner is set to start at a specific time then do what you must to start on time. Never make your guests wait too long for food and drink, keep them satisfied and happy!
- Give them a variety of things to do and see. If you love dancing and think ALL your guests will love dancing as much as you do, well, your wrong. Provide a quieter area or activity for those who need to take a break from the music.
- Meet and greet each person. If you are hosting a big party this seems daunting, but it's a must! You invited them, so make sure you thank them in person for coming.
Father's Day is in four days.....do you know what you are going to do for dear dad or your darling husband? How about teaming up with some friends and other families and throwing a fabulous Sunday feast? Make it manly....meat, potatoes, ice cream floats, beer, cigars. Don't worry about the good plates....serve everything potluck or family style and make sure the guys get first dibs on the food. Pull out the basketballs, baseball gloves, and other yard games so the guys can have 'play-time' if they'd like. Then the dads can hang together, the kids will leave the dads alone and you can put your feet up with the other ladies knowing you just started a new tradition!
Yesterday we helped host a bridal shower for one of our June Brides. It was a lovely afternoon with tasty drinks, delicious cake and a blushing bride! I was inspired by the pink vintage dress the bride wanted to wear. All the decor was various shades of pink with white and gold accents.
I frequently am asked what a good party favor would be for various events. I have a couple of rules when it comes to favors: - Favors should fit with the event somehow in theme, color or style
- Favors should be something that can actually be used or consumed
- Favors should be special, either something personal to you and/or something your guests wouldn't normally buy for themselves on a regular basis
With that said, I will be posting several ideas over the course of the week. Today's post relates to what to put into those pretty little boxes that are available online and at craft stores. There are countless shapes, sizes and colors, so keep that in mind when deciding what to put inside. Quite a few brides are wanting to DIY their favors, which is great, but make sure they are in fitting with the event, useful and personal. Some of my favorite items for boxes: - truffles
- homemade soaps or bath salts
- salt water taffy
- fortune cookies
- homemade mini cookies (with the recipe is always a nice touch!)
- hot tamales
- favorite childhood candy (bubble yum anyone?)
Ok, so these are just a few suggestions, check back later in the week for more!
I spent most of last week in my garden pulling weeds, enjoying all the daffodils and watching all the trees slowly blossom and bloom. When I finally emerged from the fairy land of flowers and entered into reality again I took a trip to Target and WOW, a floral fairy land! Liberty of London (based out of the UK) landed on US shelves and looks fantastic! My absolute favorite is the peacock print on the stationary and wrapping paper (only in stores, not online) The boxes and baskets would be perfect as a wedding card holder on the gift table....so lovely! Think beyond the box and use the patterned glassware as vases for bright colored flowers. Or if you are doing a lounge area at your party use the pillows....in masses!
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