Hosting get-togethers at home is trending and growing in popularity. What a great way to save money and keep unneeded expenses at bay. Allowing you to have lots of fun and spend quality time with friends and family. We’d like to share some tips to get you started and make things easier for you to layout and have fun with the preparations. Allowing you to join in on the fun, rather than slaving in the kitchen.

Whether it’s a girl’s (chick-flick) (boys – MMA Championship) night-in, game night, World Series, World Cup, Super Bowl or Stanley Cup party, watching the Oscars, Emmy’s or Grammy’s or the season finale of the Game of Thrones, here are a few stress-free ideas to inspire you …

Keep it Casual

Buffet or potluck options are the best way to go – more relaxed than a formal sit-down meal. The coming together and sharing food and everyone bringing something for all to enjoy. It feels more interactive and interesting. Think of assigning different dish categories so you don’t only end up with cheese trays and potato salad. Pre-determine what guests bring, be it: warm and cold appetizers, a variety of salads, dips, crock-pot dishes and so on.

As the host; you may choose to offer munchies, soft drinks, punch or sangria and the specialty coffees and teas with dessert. Have a signature punch or cocktail, serviced in a bowl or set out in pitchers so guests can grab a tasty drink as they enjoy the array of foods available.

Setting-Up and Decorating

Depending on the space available; there are a few options to think about. You can set up a little ‘bar area’ with a few trays, a variety of glasses and your punch bowl or sangria pitchers. Then have the food set-up in different ‘stations’ along your counter, server, island or table, have a separate café area set-up for your tea, coffee, and dessert presentation. Keep the munchies (chips, nuts, popcorn, pretzels and so on) spread around in a few areas to allow guests easy access to them.

Be sure to have enough seating options: guests may like to walk around and mingle, but eventually they may want to sit and chat. Incorporate chairs (from other areas), stools, ottomans, pouf and large pillows, don’t be afraid to move things around.

Since you’re not stressed and overworked – you’ll have time to set things up and decorate based on your theme of choice. You may choose a colour, season, sport or game theme. How about a Team Canada (or NHL team of choice – Go Leafs) night where everything is done up in red, black and white or blue and white or Mexican night with colourful sombreros, or Italian night with green, white and red or little flags, a Fall theme with warm orange tones or a Holiday theme in red, green and gold? As you see, with a little imagination, the possibilities are endless.

Have fun, relax, have a quick soak before guests arrive; you have time!

Use these tips so you don’t stress out so much you forget to spend time with your guests. Share with us some of your night-in tips.

Lily, Your Furniture Expert