Creating a Party World
Would you like to be the Walt Disney of party throwing? Read on to discover some of my personal and pro-tips for creating a unique party atmosphere that will elevate your shindig to another level.
There are so many things that go into throwing a memorable event. For anyone who has planned a party, you know first and foremost what I am talking about. Before I start any planning for my parties, I do an initial “brain dump” about my number one priority – creating a world.
This is my favorite part about planning a party – figuring out how to create a world for my guests, as best as I can. I like my guests to feel as if they have been transported to another place and time.
The 5 Senses
I start with envisioning the five senses and asking myself questions. How do I make my guests feel like they are somewhere else other than my house or yard? How do I make my guests forgot about their everyday worries and just have fun, almost like they are on vacation? What is the scene? Where are we? What do my guests smell, taste, touch, hear and see? These are the types of questions I first ask myself before I start planning out actual details. I keep my imagination wide open and I don’t put limitations on myself during this initial brainstorming process.
Smell
Pro-tip: If hiring a caterer, have them cook or grill on site. The smells wafting in the air create a buzz.
Personal-tip: keep a variety of candles in your home for every season. For instance, when I am throwing a fall shindig, I will light candles that smell like apples to mimic what you may smell if you were on a farm.
Taste
Pro-tip: Create drinks that mimic regional tastes and fit your theme. For example, if you are throwing a summer pool party, instead of pina coladas, go for something exotic that you may find on an island like a guava mango margarita.
Personal-tip: choose menu items that are easy to cook or are already made, but then choose one impressive authentic item for your theme. For example, for my annual spring tea party, I usually buy a platter of finger sandwiches but then I take my time making scones and home-made jams.
Touch
Pro-tip: Use different textures in linen and napkin choices. Take into consideration cushion covers for guest seating.
Personal-tip: Look for ways that guests can do something with their hands. Maybe this is an activity with a favor that they can take home or rolling sushi for their dinner.
Hear
Pro-tip: Think about hiring authentic musicians depending on your theme. For example, hiring African Drummers or a folk band for an “around the world” theme.
Personal-tip: Think about playing music or sounds in different parts of your home. During Christmas Eve dinner, I like to have subtle bells jingling in the living room to mimic Santa’s sleigh. It can be pretty magical!
See
Pro-tip: Use lighting in a variety of ways to elevate your event. Think about patterns that can be projected on walls or floors to further enhance your theme.
Personal-tip: Decorate areas of your home or event space that you normally would not to create visual interest. Someone will notice. For example, I decorate my shed in my backyard to look like a haunted house in the distance. It has become one of my favorite elements around Halloween.