'Tis The Season
‘Tis the season
…to stay home!
I know it’s hard, but right now keeping it low key is the right thing to do. Many of us have a small circle of friends or family around whom we feel safe. Sitting down to share a meal with those you’re closest to is a great way to connect, whether you’ve got a special occasion or not.
Now, it’s not for me to say where you’ll find the best recipes, how you should decorate, or which wine goes best with your food.
What I’m here to tell you is that it’s A-OKAY to outsource elements of your dinner party that you don’t want to deal with.
How many times have you been tethered to your kitchen monitoring the stove top, with a house full of people you’d rather be mingling with? Or stuck cleaning up dishes while everyone else enjoys coffee or cocktails in the other room?
Imagine if you could sit back and relax, while behind the scenes everything is taken care of for you. Let professional chefs, caterers, designers, service staff, entertainers, or rental companies do what they do best, all while making your life easier.
Too good to be true? Not sure where to start? Well, there are also event professionals out there (like me!) who can help take your vision and bring it to life. It’s what we do.
Here are some tips to get you started:
SET THE VIBE:
Ambiance — music, lighting, mood — all of this matters. Your guests’ experience doesn’t start when you all sit down at the table, it starts before they even walk in your door.
Communicate: make sure guests know what to expect. Is this a fancy affair? Do they need to dress up or is comfortable come-as-you-are attire more appropriate? Set the tone right away when you invite them.
Music: Nobody wants to stand around in a quiet room if there’s a lull in conversation. Consider live entertainment! An acoustic musician or string band can provide excellent, curated background music or serve as a focal point to keep your guests’ attention while you check on the food.
The tablescape: if you don’t own fancy table linens, cloth napkins, or a huge set of matching dishes, guess what - you don’t have to go out and buy a thing! Especially something you may only use a few times a year. RENT! Build your own design with individual tablecloths & accessories from a company like Freshly Set. Make it even simpler with a full blown color-coordinated set of linens, dishware, and decor from vendors like Table + Teaspoon. Better yet, look local. In eastern Iowa we’re lucky to have places like Borrow My Vintage, Inside Decor, or Second To None, who have everything you need. In many cases, you don’t even have to clean up, just pack up and ship back or drop the items off.
If you’re Zooming for the holidays, Social-Studies even offers multi-household packages, so everyone can set up a matching table, making it feel even more like you’re in the same room.
A dynamic floral arrangement can also serve as a focal point to spruce up the scene if you want to keep your table service simpler. Again — look local! Both Clara Joyce Flowers and Martha’s Gardens have fresh flowers and gorgeous evergreen arrangements or dried bouquets all year long!
FOOD & BEVS
Maybe you’ve got a few great dishes down pat. Cooking for a crowd, however, can be a challenge. For the time and effort it takes you to shop, prep, and cook, it can be worth your while to take those family recipes, hand them over to a professional chef, and let them take over.
Catering: No brainer. Many restaurants can prep everything offsite and safely transport it to your home. If you simply MUST eat outside your house for whatever reason, restaurants are getting innovative with ways to make your dining experience safe. Check out Brazen Reserve as a great example. A full open kitchen in a private dining room lets you and your guests enjoy delicious food prepared right in front of you.
Private Chef: maybe being part of the cooking process is important to you. If so, many private chefs can turn your kitchen and dining room into an educational experience! Treat your guests to a cooking class, while they learn skills and help prepare the meal alongside a professional. Angela & Carolyn of Life’s A Feast in Galena, IL, are experts who love to share their craft.
Bartenders: make it easy for your guests to enjoy a cocktail or have their wine refilled at the table without having to get up to do it themselves. Not sure how much ice to get? Don’t own a shaker & strainer set? No problem! Folks like Fine Cocktail Catering know exactly what they’re doing, and can bring the bar to you. Also consider having options other than just water & soda for guests who abstain from alcohol. Providing a fancy N/A cocktail keeps them from feeling singled out, and gives them something fun & outside of the norm.
CLEAN UP
Leave it. Enjoy the rest of the evening with your guests. If you must do it yourself, wait until people start to go home.
If you do end up taking our advice and hiring professionals, most of the work will already be done for you. We help you make hosting look effortless, and it really can be when you trust us to do what we do best.