As always, the month of December heralds the onset of one entertaining feat after the other with a side of stress thrown in. But let’s change that up this year, shall we? A big more-the-merrier party or an intimate get-together of close family and friends like family – whatever the style of gathering you plan to host, you only need to keep a few key things in mind and you’ll be golden. Think effortless-yet-statement home decor, simple food and drinks, apt Music and the likes. After all it’s your party, and you need to sit down and have fun too, yes? Let’s begin.

EFFORTLESS DECOR

First up, pull out every piece of home decor you have that spells festive. This tiring but so-worth-it activity helps you take stock of all that you have, rediscover hidden treasures you forgot you owned, helps you with decorating ideas, and even gets you into the festive mood!

Choose pieces that help sink in the vibe for the glittering season. Scented candle sets like the Blossom Vanilla Bowl Candle by your foyer, gilded vases with fresh flowers in every corner, party-ready dinnerware and more.

Fluff your existing cushions and pepper them on your diwan. Pull out and use new ones starting today so they’re nice and lived-in by the time those festive nights come .

Even deck your walls with vintage decorative mirrors and more wall art decor. Carefully oversee if every get-together worthy space in your home is welcoming.  It’s the little things that matter and those things are just what make us anticipate the party season even more.

JUST RIGHT MUSIC

My personal favourite part of a soirée involves choosing just the right kind of music. Depending on what kind of party you’re hosting, choose apt music. Ask yourself, are you going to play music that softy plays in the background like ghazals or a certain kind of instrumental music while conversation and laughter stay in the foreground? Or do you lean more towards the type of music that makes people gravitate towards the dance floor? In that case, how about swinging dance music? Think about it, strike a balance between the two even, and assemble your playlist starting now.

FURNITURE THAT CREATES A FLOW

Since you’re already starting early on the prep, consider rearranging your furniture to introduce a more party-friendly vibe. If your couches form an L-shape with a coffee table in the centre, complete the seating loop by pulling in the dining chairs as extra seating and to create a more cosy vibe. If your guest powder room is in the middle of your living room, fan out your seating so your guests don’t have to wade through people and furniture to reach it. If your gathering is informal, make use of floor cushions generously as extra seating. They look lovely and infuse a dose of warmth. Consider decorative lights like the Gold Bent Light by Lekha Washington and other warm lamps for an even more festive touch. Dim them low for a moody yet happy vibe.

SIMPLE FARE

One of the main preps that tend to wear one down during a party is preparing the spread. Skip this stress of this step with simple food and drinks. Opt for the classic three course menu of appetisers, mains, and dessert. For appetisers, go for toasted herbed bread with a plethora of spreads like garlic, cream cheese, and pesto that are easily available at world food stores. Maybe some cubes of cheese too. Follow this with steaming al dente pasta as your main alongside a vat of arrabbiata, pesto and alfredo sauce. All your guests have to do is heap the two together in their plate and dig in! For dessert, order in petit fours from your local bakery and serve up seamlessly on the Gold Scallop Cake Stand. Even keep the Wall Bottle Opener and Gold Geo Wine Rack on and around your bar to save you endless trips to the kitchen.

INFORMAL FAMILY STYLE BUFFET

Adopt a family style buffet to keep things even more simple and fuss-free. Buffets are a heaven-sent way to serve a lot of people and even works if your gathering is intimate. Serve up in equally fuss-free serveware like the Marine Oval Platter and the Wooden Serving Stand. When you set up the table you use to set the buffet on, make sure you pull it a little away from the wall as this helps free up all four sides of the table. This keeps people moving and avoids the dreaded queue.

SWEET PERSONALIZATION

When your guests arrive, hand them a drink with a small name plate bearing their name tied around the stem of the glass. It’s a sweet keepsake and they won’t lose their glass through the evening! Oh, and use tinted glassware as a sweet switch up. Go beyond using place card holders for just propping up the menu. If you’re having a sit down dinner, pepper sweet nothings across your dinner table by way of names or sweet messages. Sneak in a sweet note inside each table napkin for a darling touch. Seeing personalized details when you sit down for dinner brings a smile on your face. Do so for your guests this season.

THOUGHTFUL FAVOURS

This season is more often than not synonymous with gifting. Make sure you choose something that evokes a lasting smile. Maybe a reminder of how the evening transpired; a Polaroid snap they can cherish forever, a bottle of the bubbly that was served on the night, the scented candle set that evokes memories of the night. Whatever you choose, ensure it celebrates your relationship with them, as these make for the loveliest gifts.

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SWEET PERSONALIZATION

When your guests arrive, hand them a drink with a small name plate bearing their name tied around the stem of the glass. It’s a sweet keepsake and they won’t lose their glass through the evening! Oh, and use tinted glassware as a sweet switch up. Go beyond using place card holders for just propping up the menu. If you’re having a sit down dinner, pepper sweet nothings across your dinner table by way of names or sweet messages. Sneak in a sweet note inside each table napkin for a darling touch. Seeing personalized details when you sit down for dinner brings a smile on your face. Do so for your guests this season.