In light of the recession, many people are forgoing conventional dinner parties and instead opting for a rich but simplified menu. Having come to be known as chic “Wine Parties,” guests usually delight in being able to have a more casual get-together that isn’t meal-oriented. These new types of parties are not only friendly on the wallet, but are also far more time/cost efficient—requiring less preparation and clean up, they can be thrown at the last minute while still being a hit with your guests. Guests also enjoy the opportunity to sample new types of wines in a relaxed and friendly circle.
Here is a simple guide to throwing your next party. Use these hot tips for your next holiday bash.
Putting Together a Stylish and Sophisticated Evening
When hosting your own bash, the center of any lively conversation should be several bottles of wine alongside casual but well-thought out platters. Conventionally, platters were limited to cheese, but excellent hosts know that mixing it up with breads, chocolates, and some delectable deserts works equally as well. With such a colorful sensation for the palate and the array of pairings to choose from, you and your guests will be marveled by how easy it can be to have a great time with such minimal effort.
Creating a Warm and Welcoming Environment
When it comes to entertaining, some of the greatest ancient civilizations were perfecting the art far before our own. The Ancient Greeks excelled in the art of entertaining alongside a flourishing philosophical culture. As Jacoba Budden pointed out in Moussaka, even the ancient Greeks with their “thinkers and some of the greatest philosophers ever known,” had in-home cozy taverns capable of hosting hundreds of people for drink, festivities, and profits. I say, why argue with some of the world’s most brilliant thinkers?
But in going beyond just the basics of wine, great hosts take the time and consideration to set the stage for their guests. And one of the most frequently overlooked details is temperature. After all, a cold barren room is hardly going to foster an evening of warm and engaging conversation—especially with winter at our heels.
With winter here and everyone huddling indoors, make sure your space creates the ideal ambience for a memorable evening. While you may choose to use a heater, make sure you gauge the heat setting with a programmable thermostat.
A warm room heated with an Energy Star thermostat provide a welcomed escape from the cold. Pair it with some soft background music and plenty of seating and you’ve got a can’t fail recipe. After process of sorting through wine, pairings, and creating the perfect warm welcoming environment, you’re well on your way to a creating wonderful holiday memories without the usual hassle normally associated with holiday living.
