How to Host a Killer Cocktail Party in your Brand New Home
When someone says cocktail party, are you reminded of the Great Gatsby? Perhaps images of the roaring 20s or the glamorous 60s come to mind? Yet, who’s to say you can’t have one these days? Cocktail parties are a perfect excuse to invite friends over.
Pick Your Theme
One of the very first things that you’ll need to decide is the theme of your party. Will formal wear be compulsory? Does every guest need to wear something red? How far you choose to go with this is truly up to you. If you do choose to have a theme, you will then have something to base your decorations and drinks on.
If elaborate themes aren’t your style, consider going with the classic cocktail look: clean formal wear and classy decorations.
Your Drinks
A cocktail party isn’t a cocktail party without some killer drinks. Consider which drinks you will be serving at your get-together. If you chose to have a theme, match your drinks to your theme. Otherwise, have the standard drinks on offer – something for everyone – and perhaps one specialised drink, something memorable and fun.
A bar area is a great addition to a cocktail party too, and the McDonald Jones homes such the Castleton, Bridgetown and Saxonvale, provide the perfection areas in their floorplans to celebrate your cocktail party in your new home.
Quick tip: if you chose to have a self-serving bar, ensure your glasses are easily accessible.
Your Food
It is highly recommended that following the drinks, you provide ample food. That doesn’t mean you have to hire the best chef in town to prepare a four-course meal, so don’t worry.
Small and Simple
Choose cocktail party foods. If it can be eaten in one or two bites, then it’s ideal. Consider cheese platters, finger foods and fruits as viable and delicious options.
When planning your menu, take into consideration any dietary requirements your guests may have.
When preparing your food a Butler’s Pantry is a perfect spot to hide your preparations and mess throughout the night, so you can enjoy your cocktail party even more, the San Marino Manor, Tallavera and Bronte home designs by McDonald Jones for example have the perfect Butler’s Pantry in their floorplans, plus you can even find more ideas on Pinterest to help inspire you.
Have Several Bins
When we organise and plan events, we tend to focus on the bigger picture and forget the smaller details.
Finger food tends to involve the use of napkins. To avoid waking up the next morning in a home littered with napkins, ensure that you have several small bins around your home for your guests to throw their waste in.
Decorations
The secret to a fantastic party lies in the decorations. When your guests enter your home, they should have a ‘wow’ moment. This may come from beautiful lighting, such as candles or fairy-lights, or even from simple flower decorations on tables alongside food. Your decorations should look elegant and glamorous, so that when your guests see them, they’ll think: “wow, the hosts put some thought into this party, and it’s turned out beautifully!”
Music
Without music, we can all feel somewhat awkward. For this reason, we recommend keeping something going at all times. The genre of music is dependent on your tastes. Some may choose jazz, instrumentals or classical tunes, whilst others may go for something a bit more modern.
Quick tip: keep it upbeat, but not too loud. People want to feel energised, but their conversation shouldn’t be interrupted.
Get in Touch to Find Your New Home!
Having a cocktail party is a fantastic way to celebrate your gorgeous new home. If you would like to learn more about homes perfect for parties, or if you would be interested in receiving a quote, feel free to contact us, McDonald Jones Homes, on 1300 555 382. Alternatively, visit our contact us page.