Ready or not, the holidays are here and that means a special time to welcome! Whether you're in charge of Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving or just need a reminder, these tips and tricks from local business owners, tastemakers and experts for a good time will help.
BEFORE
Preparation is key! Elliot Hutchinson of Son of a Saint recommends checking out the venue, seating, and your guests' rooms before the party begins. "People may not remember every aesthetic detail, but they will remember how the occasion made them feel." Taking a moment to be empathetic when it comes to entertaining will win Gain insight into what your customers expect from your side of the table. As the saying goes, "Good preparation prevents poor performance." »
Grace Williamson of Sparkle and Swag also recommends preparing what your guests will and won't see. "Set your table the night before and set aside a special spot for dirty dishes to keep your kitchen tidy and stress-free. »
And even if you have big dreams for your meeting, Southern Hotel 's Katie Rose McConnell reminds us not to stress about the preparations. "It can be beautiful and timeless to keep things simple - the joy of the season lives in the hearts of those you love." Don't worry about the perfect table, the perfect tree or the perfect dessert. Time together is all we really need.
the table
• Make sure your bedding is clean, ironed and ready for use. "You don't want to find out that your great-grandmother's tablecloth has a hole on your birthday." - Virginia Dunn, Theater
• For a formal dinner, fashion designer Sue Sartor recommends separating spouses, and interior designer Megan Evans says place cards are a must.
Eat
• "Cook as much as possible in the days leading up to the event and reheat it on the day of the event." If this is not possible, hire a professional. - Kara C. Pigéon, catering and events for pigeons
• "For a larger holiday event, I like to plan my menu in advance. I choose foods that I want to enjoy and that will easily accommodate my omnivore friends and family, as well as those who prefer vegetarian or other diets. My favorites are Melissa Martin, Ina Garten, Yotam Ottolenghi and the wonderful Dorie Greenspan for desserts. I wouldn't be a true New Orleanian if I didn't pay attention to the quality of French bread. Bellegarde Bakery is my favorite, but there are so many wonderful options. -Fay Kimbrell, Salon22
The bar and the drinks.
• "The number one golden rule is: 'Guests should never wait for a drink at a holiday gathering.' Setting up multiple drink stations with or without a bartender will keep the meeting running smoothly and allow the hostess to socialize instead of constantly offering supplies. - Katharine Rhudy, Cane and Acanthus
• Take out the decorative dishes! "There's a reason every grandma had a punch bowl. It's easy, delicious and interactive! You can also get busy with the ingredients, like ring molds to make flowers or hanging fruit in punch bowls. Ice cream." - Neal Bodenheimer, healer
• Have more ice on hand than you think you'll need. "This way, you can secretly water down the drinks of your friends' boring partners, forcing them to spend the night in a less cheerful mood than everyone else." - Natty Adams , costume designer.
• Consideration for all guests. "Offer pre-made non-alcoholic drink options that can serve as a cocktail if the customer prefers that option." - Kristin Malone, Malone Home
• "Open the wine in advance to enjoy at least an hour in advance to give your guests the best experience." I also check all the glassware and make sure it is clean, as I sometimes do when the glass has not been used for a long time; You may begin to absorb the smell from the cabinet, which can detract from the wine experience. -Molly Wismeier, Mamou
• Sibby Charbonnet, Kirsten Acomb and Layna Juneau of Judy at the Rink recommend adding a bowl of nuts or cheese straws to your bar.
the mood
• "I like colors, so I ask my guests to wear a certain color to my parties. In this way, photos are unintentionally stylized. -Alexa Pulitzer , creator
• "Every gathering needs good music. I love creating playlists for our restaurants and I had a lot of fun creating the playlist for our new Friday dinner at Emeril's. It's a great mix of local and regional jazz with some fun surprises." EJ Lagasse, Emeril's
• "Create a festive atmosphere with thoughtful lighting details." Pool House's gas lanterns, holiday lights and decorative lanterns can add a special atmosphere to any holiday gathering. » -Drew Bevolo, Bevolo Gas and Electric Lights
• "Live music, even if it's just one man playing, really lifts the mood." I love the acoustic guitar or the saxophonist with the great guests on the balcony. - Sue Sartor, creator
The details
• "Signs of all types (e.g. cocktail/food announcements and name tags) make the biggest difference in helping your party run smoothly. You no longer have to worry about warning guests that there is pork in the gumbo or that hot apple cider contains CBD drops. - Natalie Goût, @yourinnerfatgirl.co
• "Always make sure your vanity has hand soap, guest towels and toilet paper. A vase with a small flower is always a nice detail in the bathroom. – Sibby Charbonnet, Kirsten Acomb and Layna Juneau from Judy at the Rink
WHILE
The house is clean, the food is warming, the candles are lit and the bar is full - it's showtime! While guests and their comfort should be a priority for every host, it's also important to enjoy your own party. Remember to stay present!
• "Greet all guests with the same energy, even if they arrive late. » -Grace Williamson, glamor and style
• "Have an activity station ready. Around the holidays, I like to host a greeting card making party where people can use stamps, markers, or even watercolors to create cards for their family and friends while they're at the party. Another idea is to have a manifestation station where you have paper, pens, and crystals and where guests can make a list of things they would like to manifest in the new year. "-Nicole Caridad Ralston, @eatenpathnola
AFTER
As the party comes to an end and people begin to leave, gently encourage latecomers by turning down the music and turning on the lights. Thank everyone for attending and send them home with all their belongings, including Tupperware or borrowed change. Put on a fun cleaning playlist and do the dishes or go to bed and deal with the morning mess... we won't judge you!
• Jewelry designer Cristy Cali suggests this cultural Christmas tradition from Guatemala. "Give your guests a gift bag to take home. Typically, these gift bags contain cookies and treats as well as a handwritten thank you message from the host. It can be sentimental or designed with a sense of humor! This is a great opportunity to continue the energy of the event after all the guests have gone home.
• If guests offer to help you clean, delegate some simple tasks while you wash the dishes:
- Close any open wine bottle (or simply empty it!)
- Collect all the cloth napkins.
- Irrigate the plants with excess water.
- Blow out the candles
- Pack food for the fridge or for guests to take home.
This article appeared in the November issue of Adore.
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