Warning: once you’re married, don’t think it’s going to be just you and the mister quietly nesting in your new pad. No, instead you are the couple with the hot new digs, where EVERYONE wants to hang out. Friends, family and, yes, even in-laws…they want an invite over, and they want you to show them a good time. Sound stressful? It can be, particularly if you’re not used to entertaining. To relieve the pressure, we’ve devised three no-fail game plans (from super-simple cocktails to the full sit-down meal) to help you throw the perfect party.
The Cocktail Mixer
If you’re getting the gang together for a dinner out or a movie night, having them over to your place for cocktails first is a great way to get the night rolling. “Cocktail parties are the easiest way to get into the entertaining game,” reports Tanya Linton, entertainment editor for Style at Home magazine and a production executive for HGTV and the Food Network. “I call them ‘starter parties’ because you don’t need to spend days planning a menu, decorate like Martha Stewart or cook like a five-star chef.”
The Invite: A simple call or email will do the trick. This is an evening to talk, share a laugh and have fun. No formality or stuffiness required.
The Scene: Decorating with flowers and candles is the easiest way to make a statement without too much fuss or too much strain on your pocketbook. Play up the nighttime theme with deep purples and blues. A well-placed bunch of magenta tulips or exotic purple orchids will look like you really went the extra mile and make your guests feel special. Lighting is key. Keep lights low—tea lights lined along your dining room table, or any table holding food and drinks, creates a hazy, dreamy mood. To add more drama, put a silk runner on the table and mirrored plates underneath the tea lights so the flames reflect off the mirrors.
The Menu: Concentrate on a range of finger foods and dips that require no cutlery. This way guests can walk around with a glass and a plate of food in their hands without any awkwardness. “Assemble an antipasto platter with olives, salami, artichokes and peppers. Cheese is also a no-brainer and gourmet pizza cut into small wedges makes a perfect appetizer,” Linton suggests. Adding pitas, chips or vegetables to a store-bought dip appeals to many different people, and exotic, store-bought phyllo pastries spice up the plate. Never be afraid to supplement your menu with store-bought items. No one will think less of you! Drinks can be simple as well. A few different beers plus a red and white wine will please all your guests. “A signature ‘party’ drink is always a hit,” Linton advises, and it’s a special way to remember the night.
Sports Night Soiree
Whether it’s a Super Bowl blowout or a Saturday night hockey party, a sports-night-themed get-together is a step up from cocktails and moving towards entertaining superstardom. The atmosphere is relaxed, the food is easy and the conversation is already pre-arranged—Go Team Canada!
The Invite: Although a phone call will suffice, a themed invitation shows more effort. Party stores carry sports invites, or you can simply print off the team logos on your colour copier and make funky little cards to mail out.
The Scene: Team colours can dictate your decor. Coloured napkins and plates are great for your place setting and TV trays provide easy setup and cleanup during the night. Construct a huge scorecard for your guests. Everyone can guess on the winning team and score as they arrive. Have stats of the most recent games for less informed guests and have a prize for whoever gets closest. It doesn’t have to be money: the person who wins gets leftovers!
The Menu: Pub food is always a crowd-pleaser. But just because it’s simple food doesn’t mean you can’t add some class to your night. Trish Magwood, of the Food Network’s Party Dish, says good tableware is essential to throwing a great party. “After you’re married, sort through your gifts and take inventory. See if what you have differs from what you want. Simple platters and serving pieces in white always look more elegant.” Wings and fries served with a dash of panache look nicer than an open pizza box on the coffee table.
Keep a cooler or metal tub filled with ice, pop and beer right in your living room, so guests can stay near the TV during the game and you don’t have to jump up and down every 10 minutes. This night is all about fun and games, so make everything as simple as possible.
The Sit-Down Dinner
Making the jump from a simple gathering to a real meal with guests seated at your dining table feels more intimidating. But the main ingredient for a successful dinner party is preparation. Prepare as much food as possible the day before, especially time-consuming things like chopping, or desserts that tie up your oven. There is a first time for everything, but, says Linton, “after the first big party, you never forget how to host one again.”
The Invite: Entertaining etiquette suggests allowing four to five weeks for invitations. Especially during the holiday season, it’s important to be aware of the many conflicting events in your friends’ schedules. Set the mood with engraved invitations, but only invite four to six guests. This is easier to manage for your first sit-down meal.
The Scene: Let the season decide how you decorate! If it’s a Thanksgiving feast, use leaves, gourds and pumpkins as your centrepiece. If it’s holiday time, use glass balls or a tiny tree.
“We usually decorate for Christmas pretty early,” says Peggy Santor, of Burlington, Ontario, “because when we have guests over, it’s an easy way to have the house beautifully decorated without having to do anything extra.”
Use place cards for everyone, and don’t seat couples side by side; instead put them across the table from one another to encourage a more open exchange within the group. If you’re worried about awkward silences, incorporate a fun game with interesting questions to help friends get to know one another better.
The Menu: For your first big night, follow the old KISS principle: Keep It Simply Sensational! There’s no need to convince your friends you’ve turned into Nigella Lawson overnight. This isn’t the moment to try a new dish: it can cause problems and quickly turn your evening into a disaster. An easy roasted chicken with vegetables is all you need. “For a variation, try incorporating Mediterranean ingredients like capers, olives and goat cheese. Using splashes of different ingredients is an easy way to spice up any dish,” Magwood notes. Add a simple salad and some bread, and voila—instant success! With an effortless meal, you can concentrate on things like keeping drinks filled, plates stocked and your guests happy.
