Welcome to Change of Space!: Hosting for the Holiday!

Interior design can be incorporated into just about anything, especially hosting an event such as a party. With the holidays coming up, many of you will be hosting gatherings of friends and family! Follow these tips and tricks for hosting a cohesive event that will be sure to leave your guests with a lasting impression!

The first thing to focus on is your invitations. Not only do invitations explain the details of your event, they can also set the vibe of your party while giving a personal touch that goes above and beyond the norm. There are numerous great options available for all budgets. One is of course to send a physical invitation via snail mail; this invite can be purchased from a store or designed yourself for a small fee from an online site such as Vistaprint. If you choose not to spend money on invitations, there are still some options for you! The easiest option would be to create a Facebook event page, which is free and a great way to extend information and communicate with your guests as your event approaches. Last but not least, there are many great websites that allow you to send a free customized digital invite – check out evite and choose from your favorite template!

Now that you have your guest list and invites handled, the next thing to consider is what you’ll be offering at your party. Consider a menu and specialty cocktail to really spice things up – although be sure to offer nonalcoholic options as well. Will you be following a theme such as traditional holiday foods, a Mexican fiesta or a small plate tasting party? Pick a theme and stick with it – it’s easier for you to plan and easier for your guests to know what to bring. Small details such as card holders to be placed by your dishes will make it easy for your guests to know what you’re offering!

Here’s where interior design can really play in to your party – the décor and general ambiance of your space. First and foremost, make sure that your space is tidy and clutter removed. This means hang up your coats in a closet, remove the shoes from the hallway and make some counter space! Guests coming into your home means that they are bringing their items with them, and you will need some room to store their things! The key to any good interior design is prepping your space first.

Next, if you choose to get festive, think about adding some holiday décor to the space! You can get as extravagant as decorating the whole space, or you can be as simple as creating a nice tablescape. Don’t feel like spending a ton to make this happen? The great thing about this time of year, is that nature offers us TONS of free decorations as long as you have a pair of clipping sheers! Sticks of berries, twigs in general and evergreen make for beautiful classic décor.

Let’s not forget about the rest of the ambiance – I personally believe that great design appeals to all five of your senses. We’ve taken care of the visual and tasting aspects but what about the rest? Set the mood with some music – keep it at a level that your guests can hear but don’t have to yell over. Try lighting a candle if your space doesn’t already smell delicious from the food that you’re making. Try a holiday scent such as pine, cinnamon or anything that smells like it was freshly baked!

The last of the senses that we haven’t accomplished yet is touch. Have you thought about a giveaway for your event? Not only is this something that your guests can physically touch, it’s something that will make you the host/hostess of the year! This doesn’t have to be something that breaks the bank – it’s the time and consideration that matter most. One batch of homemade cookies divided into cute holiday bags can take care of an entire guest list!