8 stylish
ways to impress your guests
Originally from: Jessica Padykula
We love to entertain -- there’s
nothing quite like planning and executing a successful social event, whether
it’s a cocktail party, pool party or formal multi-course meal. The key (other
than great friends and great food) is to create a space conducive to entertaining.
Impress your guests at your next gathering with our expert tips.
We asked Divya Gugnani, entertaining
and culinary maven, and expert withTheGift.com, about how
to decorate for guests to wow them.
Open up your space
First things first -- eliminate
clutter and chaos in your home. Move important or breakable furniture and
knick-knacks to your bedroom and shift chairs to create a space for easy
maneuvering, advises Gugnani. You want to have space for mingling and different
places where people can stand and sit. You need adequate seating for guests but
enough room for easy movement across your space, she explains. "An open
space makes it easier to get around and talk to different groups of people. A
complicated floor pattern creates wallflowers and uneasy guests.`
Spread out the snacks
Quick tip: Gugnani suggests roasting nuts in the oven (pecans are a
nice choice) with rosemary to create an aromatic snack that will make your
space smell heavenly.
While it can be tempting to have one
area for food (e.g., the kitchen table), do your friends a favor and spread out
the treats. "Leave snacks on every table for easy gathering," advises
Gugnani. All make-ahead appetizers can be served at room temperature and placed
on tables so guests can help themselves and mingle while they munch.
"Snacks are the best way to get people talking. Leave them within easy
reach and groups will be gathering around them in no time," she says.
Have a space for everything
When guests come to your home, sometimes
they aren't sure where to put things and could feel uncomfortable, especially
if they aren’t frequent visitors. To help prevent any potential awkwardness,
assign a space for shoes, jackets, etc. with clever little signs, Gugnani
advises. "It will make the guests feel more at ease" -- not to
mention keeping some guests who might wander around your home uninvited without
a little guidance. "While some hosts might be alright with that, perhaps
seeing your half-finished upstairs bathroom might not be great," she says.
Cute, handmade signs will make it easier to get around, especially ones marked
"bathroom." It will also save you time from having to explain where
to go while you’re trying to get the first course ready.
Go with gentle lighting
Bright fluorescents and black lights
are best left in your college dorm. Gentle lighting creates a more relaxed
atmosphere that's much more conducive to entertaining. Soften the look of your
lamps by covering them with colored scarves (making sure the light doesn't get
too hot), suggests Gugnani. If your living spaces are too bright, remove some
lights or don't turn them on. "Mood lighting is critical to entertaining.
It puts everyone in a great mood, whereas harsh lighting doesn't really flatter
anyone," she says. Think of the soft glow of candles or outdoor lights
when you're on your porch at night in the summer -- that's the ambiance you
want to achieve.
Add decorations strategically
It can be a nice touch to add a few
fun decorations that follow the particular theme of your function, but there’s
no need to go overboard. For example, if you're doing a beach-lover’s paradise,
add small bowls of shells and light delicate tapers to create the feeling of
watching the sea at night, Gugnani advises. But don`t cover every surface with
fish decals. Fresh flowers are also a great touch for gatherings of any size,
but again, don't overdo it. "Sometimes the fragrance can mix with the
aroma of the food and it's not always pleasing," she explains. Often, less
is more, whether it’s blooms or themed accessories. "Twenty blown-up palm
trees does not a beach make," she says. "Cute additions to your
already lovely home will get the point across just the same and you're more
likely to use them later.`
Ensure a warm welcome
Decor, food and setup are all
important but don’t forget about being a good host. "When a guest walks
in, greet them and take their coat. The best way to create a welcome space is
to be there to welcome them," Gugnani says. If you can’t be there (you’re
tending the stove or mixing a drink), have someone you trust stand at the door
and act as welcoming host in your place. "Guests love to feel special and
they should be, since they're your friend. Being greeted is a good way of
starting the party off on the right foot."
Go DIY
If you can't find something you need
elsewhere, the best thing to do is to make it yourself (assuming you have
time). More and more people are adding DIY touches to their social gatherings,
Gugnani tells us. "With the creation of Pinterest, DIY tips are a click
away, with visuals and directions that are simple to follow," she says.
Decorate with nature
Another way to impress guests this
season is to embrace nature, Gugnani says. "Nature-inspired decorations
are being used more," she tells us. For example, at summer-themed beach
parties you can use real sand or shells as decorations. Large pieces of wood
can do double-duty as serving platters to create an outdoor-inspired
atmosphere.
mainsource: http://www.sheknows.com/authors/jessica-padykula/articles
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