Celebrations are a big deal at our house, are frequent and range from impromptu and very informal to the thoughtfully planned and extravagant. I love to host all kind of events, and have hostess tips and tricks as well as ideas for recipes and decor.
The first part of planning for me is to create two lists: one listing foods I will make, decor and other essentials, and a timeline. The other list is what I need to shop for.
One thing to add to the list? Ice, and plenty of it.
nibbles – recipes and prep
When hosting any kind of gathering at our house, I plan for small bite appetizers that can be handheld or dipped. I also try to have as many things as possible that can be made ahead of time, or from components made ahead to assemble at the last minute. I get to enjoy the party more when I’m not prepping food, and small bites mean guests don’t have to awkwardly balance plates or find a surface to knife and fork it.
Here are some of my favorite party picks:
apricot & goat cheese on fig crisps
reuben rolls with homemade thousand island sauce
seven layer dip with noocho cheese
decorating ideas
Unless I am throwing a themed party, I keep decor to a minimum. I may include some fresh flowers, and then focus on using unique glassware and pretty serving pieces and linens to bring some festive flavor to the party.
A fun and easy serving vessel that adds instant decoration? Food!
I use hollowed out peppers for serving all the time, and they are always well received. This recipe also follows my make ahead tip – make the guacamole and fill the pepper ahead of time, setting out at the last minute with chips and veggies:
cocktails and drinks
Unless you hire or designate someone, a good way to avoid playing bartender is to make a signature cocktail for the event. Choose one that many people would enjoy, and make several batches that can be kept cool in the fridge until needed. Bottled wine and beer provide options and round out the libation menu.
Remember to also have several choices for non drinkers and designated drivers – assorted sodas, juices and bottled water in a tub filled with ice makes a great presentation.
Suggestions for the make-ahead signature cocktail:
homemade Irish cream with espresso
Bottles in ice goes against the signature cocktail idea, but does go along with making things ahead, and also incorporates using edibles as decor. You could offer this fun attention-getter in an area set up with ice, mixers and glasses for a DIY cocktail station.
desserts and endings
Following the hand held theme of eats, I plan several sweet options for dessert:
saffron doughnuts with rosewater icing
A fun treat to serve at the end of a party – hot chocolate peppermint shots. Have a tray of them near the door, as people are leaving they can have a sweet and quick wake me up.
Another fun out-the-door treat: set out a large bowl of Orbit® packs of gum for guests to take with them – a cool refresher for the drive home!
Do you enjoy hosting parties? What are your best planning tips?
Orbit® gum is a global brand, enjoyed by millions of people around the world. Chew Orbit after any meal to leave your mouth with “A Good Clean Feeling®”. Eat. Drink. Chew™ Orbit! Like us on Facebook here.
Compensation was provided by Orbit® gum via Glam Media but such compensation did not influence any opinions expressed herein. The opinions expressed herein are those of spabettie and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Orbit® gum.
{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
I do enjoy hosting parties/get togethers. I am a big fan of making things that can be made a day or so ahead of time as well. I am typically very minimal on decorations. If it’s a more formal thing, I do flowers and lots of candles. Good idea on the gum.
thanks, Heather – I started doing fun things in bowls at the end of my parties years ago – and some friends would anticipate what I would set out…
at a New Years party in college, I set out antacid tablets, people LOVED it!
Love all of these ideas! I like hosting parties but I always struggle with keeping it simple – I especially like the idea of making a signature cocktail and keeping a few large batches on hand.
yep, one cocktail really makes things easier (and less expensive!) for the host. make sure it’s one YOU like, if there are leftovers
Wow, very inspirational and impressive line-up. The wasabi peanut butter cups look particularly interesting.
thank you! the wasabi is an interesting add, I know, and it is VERY good!
Oh man, these are some GOODIES!! Hot chocolate peppermint shots?! That sounds delish!! I might need to make some of these for my upcoming party…for real this time
YES!! and then tell me when to show up
Oh my gosh! I want to come to one of your parties! I LOVE doing dinner/cocktail parties. They are so much fun to plan and prepare for. Our friends actually ask up when our next one is all the time! I think we’re doing BBQ at the next one and hopefully we can do it before it gets too hot here in Atlanta! Dang all of this looks so good!
I thought of you Sarena, when I was writing about how I like to do small plates / appetizer foods… Jason and I do that sometimes when it’s just us, for dinner… I know you all do that too and I LOVE it! (I know I always say this, but I think that would be something from childhood that I would recall fondly…)
I love love looooove hosting parties!! Though, I am pretty sure my hosting abilities are far less stellar than yours – I would totally crash any part you ever host with the lineup you just shared with us. My stomach literally started growling as soon as I started reading through your ideas, no lie.
I particularly love the caprese skewers idea!! So pretty and festive!
hee – I love when I have that effect
would it not be the best thing ever to have a big blog friend party!? 
Seriously – if you are not insanely hungry after reading this post then go check your pulse.
So many unique flavors, colors and textures that how could this not make the best platter set up! This is SUCH a great post!!
aw! I planned it for your blogiversary!
So my only question is how do I get invited to one of your cocktail parties?
oh Sarah, the wait list is long and distinguished. wait, that’s my dog. wait…
I’d love to have you over to one of our parties!
So many great ideas here. Love the photos, much needed eye candy for me this morning! Now I’m hungry….and thirsty
thank you Tina – happy you enjoyed it!
Eat, drink, and be merry! The motto of my life. I love feeding groups of friends. I’ve never done anything formal. I’ll usually make a plethora of appetizers if we’re having numerous people over instead of entrees. I tend towards actual meals when we have couples over. Or just an individual or two. Keeps awkwardness down significantly. That and lots o’ booze. Gotta have the drink.
Jillian I love this motto! and rarely do I do the formal thing either, but it IS fun every now and then… what matters is good food to share with fun people in a comfortable setting. and lots ‘ booze.
I’m not much for throwing parties of my own (beyond the occasional fajita-night with a few friends–which would definitely benefit from a jalapeno margarita!)–but trust me, you throw one, I’ll show up ;D
oooh, it would be fun to have you at one of my parties!
We don’t do a lot of parties at our place, but I would love to come to one at yours. All of that food looks amazing, especially the mango habanero guacamole!
thank you, Rhonda! I can’t wait for a summer party, that mango habanero guac is always around!
we do enjoying hosting parties, though we never really have much time to do them. hopefully one day we will have more time because we do enjoy having friends over and enjoying good food and drinks
My best tip to myself (which I don’t always follow) is DON’T STRESS OUT and remember that you’re doing this to have fun! I find that making a list and checking things off helps (and asking my husband for help, rather than being a control freak and wanting to do everything myself).
I love all of your recipes!
agreed with everyone above.
i also make a point of making sure people are comfortable. i take their coats for them when they come in and they get put on the bed in the bedroom, get them a drink right away, make sure to ask them questions about their day to make sure they feel valued and welcome and of course, i always have extra pairs of slippers at the front door in case anyone’s feet get cold.
my one party mistake: making too much food!! i always go overboard.
oh Kristy, good point! I need to be more mindful of the coat/bag thing! I always make sure to get a drink in your hand right away, and chat with each person as they enter… and slippers!!? I LOVE that idea! I want to come to one of YOUR parties
I want to come!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I must admit that I don’t like hosting parties. Too much stress, and I’m not a many-people person. But I enjoy cooking for friends.
I want to come!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I must admit that I don’t like hosting parties. Too much stress, and I’m not a many-people person. But I enjoy cooking for friends.
I know, sometimes it is stressful (I threw a big company pool party at our house once, and was so stressed to get everything perfect, after all the boss was coming over, you know?)
these days I invite small groups of friends, big groups of friends, family, that I am perfectly comfortable with and things don’t need to be perfect. I love having people at my house! 
I love this article, I want to be on your permanent guest list Kris! I like the bowl of goodies idea, what else have you shared in bowls? Stunning photos as always, and some great ideas.
When does the book release?
DMW
Awesome ideas. I like hosting parties, but I always manage to find reasons not to do it. I should def host more! Those wasabi peanut butter cups look amazing – and are defo being added to my to make list!
I hope you do, Sarah, they’re surprisingly good! now, think of a reason for a party, and make them!
good party list, printing out LOL
everything looks so fun!
{ 1 trackback }