Hosting a party is like public speaking, you either thrive on the stress and dive into to every detail with enthusiasm, or you shirk away from it, only to embark on entertaining with anxiety and doubt. And then of course there are those that reside in the middle, confident in some aspects and reluctant on others. I have met some amazing entertainers, and attended some fabulous parties where the food, decor, drinks and host were flawless, only to find out later that the host was plagued by doubt over the success of the party. The guest, it would seem, is a universal concern regardless of entertaining style or experience. We all strive for a party where our guests are the focus, and who leave longing for their next invitation.
For the modern host, planning a successful party means working around busy schedules, tight budgets and the sometimes complicated relationship status that some guests may have. We all have entertaining questions, some light questions over which wine to serve and others more complicated like how to deal with a plus one guest that causes more drama than expected. Here are a few of your entertaining questions answered in my The Daily Meal Column, She Knows Interview and Celebrations.com articles on spring entertaining:
Can I throw a real dinner party in my studio apartment? Urban entertaining does not always have to be limited to cocktail parties. I once hosted a dinner party in our tiny London flat with a Moroccan theme by setting out a carpet picnic, complete with colorful pillows, decorative rugs, and a relaxed central buffet that we circled around over dinner. We incorporated our décor with a North African dinner menu, cocktails, and a soundtrack that tied the theme of the party together…. Read more
Can I host a spring party inside? Spring entertaining is always tricky when you rely upon the weather to accommodate your outdoor party plans, but hosting an indoor spring party does not mean you need to limit the freshness that comes with hosting a spring party……Read more
Are there alternatives to fresh cut flowers? If fresh flowers are not in your budget, a low-cost floral option is to visit your local garden center and buy a tray of colorful annuals, re-potting them in bowls or smaller pots will give you the illusion of a great floral spread without the added expense of buying multiple bouquets. Read more of my ideas on hosting an inexpensive spring party in my interview with She Knows.
How can I host a more eco friendly party? Shopping for seasonal foods, calculating your beverage needs and incorporating a few green entertaining methods is a great way to host an eco friendly party. Read my ten ways to give your table top an eco-chic make over plus ideas for hosting an Earth Friendly garden party on my Celebrations.com feature.
Recommended Reading
Spring Entertaining Essentials | housewifebliss.com
Expert tips on preserving fresh cut flowers | housewifebliss.com
Entertaining Pins | Coryanne Ettiene on Pinterest
