Hosting the Holidays
The holiday season is upon us. With the change of weather and pumpkin spice in the air, we know our family and friends will soon be gathering in thankful celebration, quickly to be followed by the magical lights, smells and sounds of the Christmas season. I wanted to share a few quick tips for those of you hosting holiday events.
Tip #1: Make your guests feel welcomed.
No matter the event size or reason for celebration, you want each of your guests to feel welcomed and special. An idea Stanly Marcus understood well; Zodiac Room guests are treated with a complimentary demitasse of chicken broth followed by Neiman Marcus' famous popovers with strawberry butter upon arrival. Guests immediately feel welcomed while the tone is set for the meal.
Likewise, I always encourage my clients to offer a beverage and appetizer upon arrival of their guests. You never know what each guest may have gone through to be able to attend, how nervous they may feel walking into a room of strangers, or simply how stressful their day was before arriving.
This is truly a way to say, “Thank you for coming; I am so glad you are here.”
For a casual, small event, you can personally offer each guest a beverage or appetizer. For larger events, have staff serve guests at the door. You may consider servers stationed outside and perhaps even a string quartet to welcome your guests at a more formal event. You want your guests to know you are happy they are there.
Tip #2: Your menu should be carefully considered and planned.
Starting with your welcoming beverage and appetizer to the desserts, each detail should be thought out with your guests considered at every step.
A signature event cocktail designed to set the tone of the event is the perfect welcoming beverage. You can use different colors, garnishes and tastes to match your party theme.
When planning your menu, consider your guests. I typically avoid onions, strong garlic, fried foods, smoked salmon or any other ingredients that will make the home (or guests’ breath) smell less than desirable.
Tip #3: It is not only what you serve, but how it is served.
Continuing with our theme of consideration of your guests, it is important to consider how you serve food. With passed foods, you want to choose bite-sized, easy-to-handle options. Consider that most guests will be holding a beverage and ladies will often have a handbag, therefore your selections should be one-handed. If your guests are trying to juggle too many items at once, they are less likely to mingle and enjoy themselves.
Be ready to improvise. If guests are visiting and not partaking in the passed appetizer, there is often a creative way to incorporate the appetizer into their plated meal so that it is still enjoyed.
Also avoid serving beverages or food in a way that will be a hinderance to ladies wearing make-up especially lipstick. For example, when dipping cocktail glass rims in sugar or garnish, leave an opening that is not coated for ladies to sip.
With each planning decision, take a moment to consider what makes your guests most comfortable and feel most special to ensure success at your next event.
Bonus Tip: You don’t have to do it alone.
Hosting an event is hard work. Planning every detail, shopping, decorating, preparing all the food, serving, and all of the behind the scenes work during the party almost ensures you will not have the chance to enjoy your event and special guests.
Café Danielle Catering & Events is here to help. As the owner & founder, I have over 35 years of experience crafting beautiful events with every small detail considered. This year, let us create the holiday magic behind the scenes while you enjoy what matters most.
Contact us today and see how we can best serve you this holiday season or view our galleries for inspiration for your next party.