Hosting a holiday meal is often portrayed as a very stressful process, but it shouldn’t have to be that way. It can seem all the more daunting if you are planning on hosting people in your apartment. This can be especially difficult for first-time holiday party hosters, as around 34.4% of renters are under the age of 35. So, if this is your first time hosting, here is some advice to make your holiday party the talk of the season.
Set the Mood
With a few small changes, you can totally transform your apartment space. Firstly, you can give the illusion of a bigger space by adding mirrors to the walls. Move the furniture away from the walls, too, and this will also create a comfortable area where all of your guests can sit during your holiday get-together.
When decorating, a great piece of advice on saving money is by purchasing potted plants and/or floral arrangements. You can find potted plants for around $29.95, and you can certainly find floral arrangements at a local farmer’s market or grocery store at a fair price that match the holiday mood. Consider making some DIY decorations and placing them throughout your apartment as well. It is a great way to set the tone and can be done very inexpensively.
Pandora and Amazon Music have some great playlists for background music. This can be holiday music or music that is designed to create a mood. Having this on in the background at a low level is a great way to make your guests feel comfortable and welcome.
Craft the Perfect Menu
Make sure to set aside plenty of time to create a menu that will offer something for everyone on your guest list. As people have many different dietary preferences or allergies, it doesn’t hurt to reach out ahead of time to ask if there is anything that they cannot (or do not) eat. This information can be used as advice for you to narrow down items. While not every dish is going to be something that everyone likes, at least you know that you will have items that they can eat. Nobody wants to go to a holiday meal and sit with an empty plate!
When it comes to the drink menu, you want to pick cocktails or wines that pair well with the food you are serving. For example, most holiday food is very heavy and fatty, so pick an acidic wine as its pair instead of sweet wine, which would make the meal overwhelmingly filling. For acidic wines, these are typically your rieslings or chablis wines to choose from. Heavier cocktails and bold red wines make for great dessert drinks as well. At that point in the meal, you’re aiming for a show of sweetness.
Plan Activities
It’s a great idea to have a break in between dinner and dessert. This gives your guest the chance to digest their food before digging right into dessert. For the meantime, pick up a few games that would be suitable for a group. Card games or even charades are great choices, as they’re easy to play and are fun for the whole group.
Don’t Forget to Relax
One of the best pieces of advice is that, while you want to be a gracious host, don’t be afraid to ask for a little help from your guests. This can be little things like setting the table or even bringing additional dishes depending on the size of your guest list. Remember that it’s supposed to be a celebration for everyone, including yourself!
Utilize these handy tips as you plan a holiday get-together at your apartment this winter season. With these pieces of advice, your party will be the talk of 2022!
