Australian Dollar
Your party season entertaining checklist
Posted by Scott Pendlebury on 09 Oct 2015
With Summer looming upon us, the party season is about to kick off. There’s nothing that defines the festive season more than dinner parties, pool parties and big family gatherings! Are you ready to host the next big event? Check out the tips below to make sure your entertaining season is stress free!
If dessert isn’t your strength or table decorating is your weakness, accept this from the start. Don’t place a whole lot of pressure on yourself to perform in these areas. Guests love to help out or bring something to a party so delegate these tasks from the beginning and you’re party preparations will be a lot more enjoyable.
It doesn’t take too much extra time to top off a delicious feast with complimentary table decorations. Think flowers, candles, nametags and you are ready to host! Decorations extend beyond the table however. Your bathroom, kitchen, entrance and dining area are all part of the entertainment experience. Consider the following:
-A simple flower arrangement that will suit the surrounding décor
-Tea light or pillar candles to set the scene. Be careful if young children are sitting around the table
- A few music playlists that will compliment the pre-drinks, mealtime and after-dinner dancing
- Efficient entrance lighting that will enable guests to come and go safely in the dark
-A fresh bar of soap, spray and moisturiser by the bathroom basin
Often the busiest place of a party, the bar needs to be fully stocked with glassware, ice and of course, the alcohol. The last thing you want is to run out of wine glasses when you have a Penfolds Grange that needs to be shared!
Consider the following:
-Wineglasses, beer glasses and water glasses
-Ice and ice buckets
-Bottle opener
-Cocktail accessories including a shaker, stirrer and martini olives
-Shot glass for measuring
-Knowledge of the wine being served
Less is often more but make sure you don’t forgot the essentials when setting the table, not to mention the appropriate setting design.
Consider the following:
-Name places
-Glassware
-Serviettes
-Table cloth/Table runner
-Salt and Pepper
-Condiments
-Flowers
-Cutlery for each course
-Candles and candle holders
-Low flower arrangements so not to block anyone’s view
-Enough chairs for each guest
Preparing before the day
If dessert isn’t your strength or table decorating is your weakness, accept this from the start. Don’t place a whole lot of pressure on yourself to perform in these areas. Guests love to help out or bring something to a party so delegate these tasks from the beginning and you’re party preparations will be a lot more enjoyable.
Decorating
It doesn’t take too much extra time to top off a delicious feast with complimentary table decorations. Think flowers, candles, nametags and you are ready to host! Decorations extend beyond the table however. Your bathroom, kitchen, entrance and dining area are all part of the entertainment experience. Consider the following:
-A simple flower arrangement that will suit the surrounding décor
-Tea light or pillar candles to set the scene. Be careful if young children are sitting around the table
- A few music playlists that will compliment the pre-drinks, mealtime and after-dinner dancing
- Efficient entrance lighting that will enable guests to come and go safely in the dark
-A fresh bar of soap, spray and moisturiser by the bathroom basin
The bar
Often the busiest place of a party, the bar needs to be fully stocked with glassware, ice and of course, the alcohol. The last thing you want is to run out of wine glasses when you have a Penfolds Grange that needs to be shared!
Consider the following:
-Wineglasses, beer glasses and water glasses
-Ice and ice buckets
-Bottle opener
-Cocktail accessories including a shaker, stirrer and martini olives
-Shot glass for measuring
-Knowledge of the wine being served
For the table
Less is often more but make sure you don’t forgot the essentials when setting the table, not to mention the appropriate setting design.
Consider the following:
-Name places
-Glassware
-Serviettes
-Table cloth/Table runner
-Salt and Pepper
-Condiments
-Flowers
-Cutlery for each course
-Candles and candle holders
-Low flower arrangements so not to block anyone’s view
-Enough chairs for each guest
Good luck and have fun!