Hosting a meeting at home can be a lot of fun, but it can also be stressful. Enter The Bar’s ultimate guide to at-home hosting. With a little planning and a few tips and tricks, all listed below, you can relax and enjoy the celebrations – just like your guests.
Set the mood (board)
Creating a mood board is a great way to visualize the overall feel of your party. Gather visual inspiration from magazines, Pinterest, Instagram or blogs and group the images by color and theme. Whether you’re using a physical or virtual board, take a step back and review the mood board on the go. Remove any images that don’t match your intended mood. Once the picture is perfect, you have a handy visual guide to help you make decisions about decor, drinks, food and other aspects of your event.
Create the atmosphere:
It’s all about the details
Beyond the mere decoration, think of all the extras that make an event memorable: playlists, cocktail napkins and accessories, printed menus, party favors. These fun additions add depth and structure to your evening, and can provide a tangible grab-and-go element for your guests. You also want to think practically. Clean and polish all glass and cutlery you will be using for the event in advance and rearrange furniture in public areas to ensure it runs more smoothly. Empty the dishwasher and have empty trash and wastepaper baskets ready so you can keep partying while the glasses and bottles pile up.
Create the atmosphere:
Make a list and double check it
In the weeks leading up to your event, think about what you can buy in advance (supplies, decorations, certain drinks) and what you need to get in the days before or even the day before (food, ice cream, etc.). .). Your shopping list will depend on the theme and size of your event, but generally you’ll need items like the following:
- Food (starters, main courses, desserts, snacks)
- Beverages (alcohol, mixers, soft drinks)
- trimmings
- Ice
- Mugs, glasses, stemware (aim for three to four glasses per person to account for multiple drinks and misplaced glasses; colored glasses or drink tags can help guests identify their glasses)
- Plates, napkins, utensils
- serving platters and bowls
- serving utensils
- garbage bags and cleaning supplies
When to buy perishable goods:
- Fresh Food: A few days to a week before.
- Frozen Food: Up to a few weeks in advance – remember to put the food in the fridge to thaw about 1-2 days before the party so you can prep faster.
- Sides: Depending on your side, these can usually be purchased at the same time as any fresh food ingredients.
- Ice Cream: This depends on how you store the ice cream. If you have a large freezer (and spare space!) you can always buy the ice cream. Otherwise, plan on ice skating a day.
Create the atmosphere:
Do the math
Estimate how much you will need to keep your guests full. A good rule of thumb is to plan on about one alcoholic drink per hour per guest. For soft drinks, plan on two per guest for the first hour, then one more per hour thereafter. There’s no perfect formula for food, but we always recommend overestimating (bonus: buy affordable plastic food containers so you can send any leftovers home). Make sure you have enough ice on hand as well. We recommend planning on about a pound of ice cream per guest. There are even handy ice cream calculators online that take into account the type of event and whether you’re holding it indoors or outdoors, so you always get the perfect amount.
Consider a signature cocktail
Now that you know roughly how many drinks you need, you can make it easy and special for yourself with a signature cocktail. A signature drink can add a fun, personal touch to your gathering, and it has an added benefit: you only have to think of one type of drink compared to a full list of alcoholic drinks. To make it even easier, choose an easy-to-make cocktail, e.g. B. a whiskey punch, a sangria, a Moscow mule punch or a rum punch. The night before the party, make sure to place your ingredients in the fridge/freezer for optimal chilling. Hard liquors don’t freeze in the freezer, but it’s important to store blenders in the fridge.
Create the atmosphere:
Make an impression – and let the guests serve themselves
Start by offering your guests a pre-prepared signature cocktail upon their arrival. Even if they decline, it’s a nice gesture that elicits a warm welcome. Whether you choose to have a cocktail or a full bar, set up your home bar space (be it a bar cart, table or countertop) so that guests can self-serve their ensuing drinks. Provide any liquor, glasses and utensils needed, as well as side dishes that match the theme, season or drink. Store extras in a low-traffic area and replenish them as needed. To create a truly impressive DIY bar, check out our guide below!
Create the atmosphere:
Feed a crowd
Whether you’re putting together simple snacks or a chef-style spread, you don’t want your guests to go hungry. First, think about the timing of your event. For happy hour, you might be able to grab light bites and appetizers like a cheese and charcuterie board, mini quiches, or a raw food platter. An event that spans a typical dinnertime should include a mix of appetizers, rich entrees, and some sweet options, even if it’s technically just cocktail hour. If it’s a morning event, consider hearty brunch finger foods like mini cinnamon rolls and scrambled egg bites, or set up a bagel bar with all the toppings. Bring a French bistro experience to your next dinner party by serving a simple yet stunning roast chicken. For all desserts, you can opt for cakes, tarts, pralines and other sweets that can be served at room temperature, as opposed to ice cream or frozen desserts – less clutter and more space in your freezer for ice cream.
Create the atmosphere:
accept help
If a guest offers to help, let them! Maybe they can bring a dish or help clean up after the party. Show your appreciation by sending helpful guests home with extra food or a flower arrangement.
host friendly
The most important part of your event is enjoying the company of your guests. As the host, you set the tone for the evening, and if you’re having fun, guests will follow suit. Greet everyone when they arrive, introduce people, and make everyone feel comfortable. Then toast to a fun, stress-free celebration.
When planning your next event, use the tips in this guide to ensure the day runs smoothly. Put some music on, pour yourself a drink and let the party begin.
This article is sponsored by .
