We’re rushing headlong into that time of the year again – party season. We all know planning the perfect soiree is a labour of love. It is important to create a space that’s every bit as inviting to guests as it is comfortable for you. However, there is no tried and true pattern.

Hosting a party for friends or family should feel like a thing of joy, not a chore. It’s an excuse to wind down, and enjoy good company over a delicious meal. But, as every host or hostess knows: good food on a table does not a dinner party make. By opting a style of entertaining that is formal, relaxed or expressive; you can be assured that you will have a good time as well.

Looking for a crib sheet on how to do your home when entertaining? Whether its Thanksgiving dinner or Taco Tuesday, here are a few tips and tricks which should be followed for any occasion where guests come knocking on your door.

INVITATION IS KEY

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Sending out invitations is not necessary for informal affairs. A call or a text several weeks in advance is sufficient. But for formal do’s, invitations can be sent out 3-4 weeks in advance. Be sure to include an R.S.V.P. We love stellar e-stationery – easy, chic, and just a click away! For responses, don’t hesitate to call people, as you need to calculate your quantities in advance!

THE PERSONAL TOUCH

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A private party is all about the personal touch. Personalized gifts for guests, keeping their tastes/personalities in mind, gifts to thank them for making your do special, etc. are perfect ways to introduce an individual touch. For instance, one can employ gift trays that double as place cards and party favours. Personalized place cards at a table also illustrate your zeal into thinking about a seating arrangement for your guests.

Our personal favourite party favours are:

HAVE A WELCOMING FOYER

Image Ref: Amber Interiors
Having guests over? You’ll want to pay attention to the foyer area – make sure it’s welcoming and stylish to set the tone of the party as your guests enter. A nice rug gives a sense of a cohesive atmosphere in a home. Moreover, bulky centrepieces and table décor crowd up valuable surface space. Instead, opt for wall décor that can be hung, or festive table linen and garnishes. We love these picks from The House Of Things, that will make your foyer stand out and prove a welcoming oasis for your guests when entertaining.

SET A LOVELY TABLE

Employ tableware that makes a lasting impression. A signature table setting must always involve dinner plates with cutlery to one side and glassware to the right. Whether it’s a laidback setting or an elevated tablescape, the amount you build up from there is entirely up to you.

When preparing the table for a meal, always work from the outside in so the outermost fork and knife set should co-relate to the first course and the innermost to the second course. The foundation of a formal table setting is the presence of a charger plate. Simply think of it as a decorative base plate – on which all other service plates rest, making it a truly luxurious addition to the table.

Here are a few pieces from our website that would take your tablescape from simple to stunning.

BASIC TABLE SETTING ETIQUETTES

A table setting should always consist of a dining set, a cutlery set, and glassware.
Make sure the base of any vertical silverware always aligns with the bottom rim of the plate.
The distance of your knife to the plate should be the deciding factor for the spacing of each element of your table setting.
Always place knives with blades facing inwards.
Your water tumbler must be placed directly above the dinner knife on your table setting, with any other glasses placed to its right.
Glasses should always be placed largest to smallest from back to front.

SET THE MOOD THE NIGHT BEFORE

Fragrance is such a luxury. The night before an event, try choosing a single scent to place about in entryways, powder rooms, and lounge areas. Deciding on the lighting and signature scent are the fastest ways to create a warm and sensory experience. The Svarupa candle – with its purist oudh scent mixed with musk – is one of our favourites that works beautifully in all seasons. We especially love these picks for their warm yet earthy fragrances:

Be ready to take the party outside with gently-lit votives, latticed lanterns, and plush cushions and rugs for a memorable evening under the stars.

A few floor pillows and rugs that people can lounge on won’t hurt either. It's inevitable that people will plop down on the floor at parties, and these ensure that they're comfortable.

HAVE A WELL-LAID BAR

The right glass turns a drink into a cocktail. Keeping a bar cart in the living room can stock all of your drinks and mixers right where the action is.

These bar essentials will help you craft the perfect cocktail by expertly muddling, shaking, and stirring.

SET A THOUGHTFUL MENU

The most important aspect of a menu is that it must be prepared almost entirely before any of the guests arrive. Although it doesn’t hurt to bear in mind your guests’ preferences while deciding on the menu, dishes should please everyone from the dairy averse to the diet freak. Creating your menu around a special seasonal ingredient like truffle oil, tomatoes, strawberries, or pumpkin, can lend a dinner party a more festive spirit.

Plan considered dishes that you can make a day before and then heat up in the oven or stove (Almost all soups, stews, and dips improve overnight). However, the perfect end to a party must be a crowd pleaser – a simple, sweet dessert to end the night.

MAKE SURE YOU’RE HAVING FUN TOO!
Remember: you set the tone for the event you’re hosting. In essence, its important to make sure you’re having a good time too. If you are stressed, everyone else will feel it. Guests feed off of the host’s energy, so if you are enjoying yourself, they’ll be having a good time too!