Celebrations are a big deal at our house, are frequent and range from impromptu and very informal to the thoughtfully planned and extravagant. I love to host all kind of events, and have hostess tips and tricks as well as ideas for recipes and decor.
The first part of planning for me is to create two lists: one listing foods I will make, decor and other essentials, and a timeline. The other list is what I need to shop for.
One thing to add to the list? Ice, and plenty of it.
nibbles - recipes and prep
When hosting any kind of gathering at our house, I plan for small bite appetizers that can be handheld or dipped. I also try to have as many things as possible that can be made ahead of time, or from components made ahead to assemble at the last minute. I get to enjoy the party more when I'm not prepping food, and small bites mean guests don't have to awkwardly balance plates or find a surface to knife and fork it.
Here are some of my favorite party picks:
apricot & goat cheese on fig crisps
reuben rolls with homemade thousand island sauce
seven layer dip with noocho cheese
decorating ideas
Unless I am throwing a themed party, I keep decor to a minimum. I may include some fresh flowers, and then focus on using unique glassware and pretty serving pieces and linens to bring some festive flavor to the party.
A fun and easy serving vessel that adds instant decoration? Food!
I use hollowed out peppers for serving all the time, and they are always well received. This recipe also follows my make ahead tip - make the guacamole and fill the pepper ahead of time, setting out at the last minute with chips and veggies:
cocktails and drinks
Unless you hire or designate someone, a good way to avoid playing bartender is to make a signature cocktail for the event. Choose one that many people would enjoy, and make several batches that can be kept cool in the fridge until needed. Bottled wine and beer provide options and round out the libation menu.
Remember to also have several choices for non drinkers and designated drivers - assorted sodas, juices and bottled water in a tub filled with ice makes a great presentation.
Suggestions for the make-ahead signature cocktail:
homemade Irish cream with espresso
Bottles in ice goes against the signature cocktail idea, but does go along with making things ahead, and also incorporates using edibles as decor. You could offer this fun attention-getter in an area set up with ice, mixers and glasses for a DIY cocktail station.
desserts and endings
Following the hand held theme of eats, I plan several sweet options for dessert:
saffron doughnuts with rosewater icing
A fun treat to serve at the end of a party - hot chocolate peppermint shots. Have a tray of them near the door, as people are leaving they can have a sweet and quick wake me up.
Another fun out-the-door treat: set out a large bowl of Orbit® packs of gum for guests to take with them - a cool refresher for the drive home!
Do you enjoy hosting parties? What are your best planning tips?
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Jillian @ whiskydrinkinchimneysweep.com says
Eat, drink, and be merry! The motto of my life. I love feeding groups of friends. I've never done anything formal. I'll usually make a plethora of appetizers if we're having numerous people over instead of entrees. I tend towards actual meals when we have couples over. Or just an individual or two. Keeps awkwardness down significantly. That and lots o' booze. Gotta have the drink.
spabettie says
Jillian I love this motto! and rarely do I do the formal thing either, but it IS fun every now and then... what matters is good food to share with fun people in a comfortable setting. and lots ' booze. 😉
Tina says
So many great ideas here. Love the photos, much needed eye candy for me this morning! Now I'm hungry....and thirsty 🙂
spabettie says
thank you Tina - happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
Sarah says
So my only question is how do I get invited to one of your cocktail parties? 😉
spabettie says
oh Sarah, the wait list is long and distinguished. wait, that's my dog. wait...
I'd love to have you over to one of our parties!
Nichole says
Seriously - if you are not insanely hungry after reading this post then go check your pulse.
So many unique flavors, colors and textures that how could this not make the best platter set up! This is SUCH a great post!!
spabettie says
aw! I planned it for your blogiversary! 😉
Jess says
I love love looooove hosting parties!! Though, I am pretty sure my hosting abilities are far less stellar than yours - I would totally crash any part you ever host with the lineup you just shared with us. My stomach literally started growling as soon as I started reading through your ideas, no lie. 😉 I particularly love the caprese skewers idea!! So pretty and festive!
spabettie says
hee - I love when I have that effect 😉 would it not be the best thing ever to have a big blog friend party!? 😀
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Oh my gosh! I want to come to one of your parties! I LOVE doing dinner/cocktail parties. They are so much fun to plan and prepare for. Our friends actually ask up when our next one is all the time! I think we're doing BBQ at the next one and hopefully we can do it before it gets too hot here in Atlanta! Dang all of this looks so good!
spabettie says
I thought of you Sarena, when I was writing about how I like to do small plates / appetizer foods... Jason and I do that sometimes when it's just us, for dinner... I know you all do that too and I LOVE it! (I know I always say this, but I think that would be something from childhood that I would recall fondly...) 😀
jobo says
Oh man, these are some GOODIES!! Hot chocolate peppermint shots?! That sounds delish!! I might need to make some of these for my upcoming party...for real this time 😉
spabettie says
YES!! and then tell me when to show up 😉
Italian Notes says
Wow, very inspirational and impressive line-up. The wasabi peanut butter cups look particularly interesting.
spabettie says
thank you! the wasabi is an interesting add, I know, and it is VERY good!
Ashley F. says
Love all of these ideas! I like hosting parties but I always struggle with keeping it simple - I especially like the idea of making a signature cocktail and keeping a few large batches on hand.
spabettie says
yep, one cocktail really makes things easier (and less expensive!) for the host. make sure it's one YOU like, if there are leftovers 😉
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
I do enjoy hosting parties/get togethers. I am a big fan of making things that can be made a day or so ahead of time as well. I am typically very minimal on decorations. If it's a more formal thing, I do flowers and lots of candles. Good idea on the gum.
spabettie says
thanks, Heather - I started doing fun things in bowls at the end of my parties years ago - and some friends would anticipate what I would set out... 🙂 at a New Years party in college, I set out antacid tablets, people LOVED it!