Top Tips for Apartment Entertaining in winter!
By Melissa West
Hosting friends and family in an apartment can sometimes feel daunting, especially in Edina’s Northern climate where winter weather keeps everyone indoors. But apartment living doesn’t have to limit your ability to gather! With the right approach, welcoming loved ones into your space for a meal or a cozy get-together can be both seamless and stress-free. Here are a few simple tips to help you host an apartment-friendly gathering with ease.
Tip #1 – PLAN!
- Choose a realistic guest count and ask for RSVP’s well ahead of time so you can adjust.
- Keep things simple, plan a meal that doesn’t require last minute cooking or a lot of refrigerator space.
Tip #2 – Create Space
- Temporarily rearrange furniture to create more open floor space.
- Create separate zones for food, a drink station, seating, and a game or conversation area.
- Clear the tops of coffee tables and side tables so guests have a place to set their drinks and plates.
- Before guests arrive, declutter your space by removing non-essential items that can be tucked out of sight for the evening.
- Empty garbage and recycling beforehand so you can manage waste easily during your event.
Tip #3 – Food and Drink, Simplified!
- Instead of a meal, consider preparing a selection of finger foods to avoid utensils and large plates.
- Choose “make-ahead” recipes to reduce your workload on the day of the event.
- Set up a drink station and let guests select their own beverages.
- Choose eco-friendly disposable plates and cups to keep countertops clear of dishes.
Tip #4 – Make it Cozy
- Dim the lights, use string lights or flameless candles to make the space feel warm, calm, and cozy.
- Make your space more inviting by providing extra seating such as floor cushions, ottomans, or folding chairs.
- Turn the thermostat down a few degrees in anticipation of the room getting warmer as it fills with people.
- Plan a space to store coats and boots. Coats can be stacked on a bed if there isn’t enough space in the entryway closet. Be sure not to leave shoes and boots in the hallway where they become safety concern, instead, create a dedicated space with boot trays near the door.
Tip #5 – Have fun!
- Choose activities that don’t require much movement such as card games, board games, or karaoke (not too loud, though!).
- Have some conversation starters or icebreakers at the ready, especially if you’ve invited guests who don’t know each other. Keep a set of conversation cards on the coffee table.
- Relax, don’t aim for perfection – aim for connection
- Accept help, it makes people feel good! Guests are happy to bring food, arrive early to help prep, or help tidy up afterwards.
- End the night with a simple, general cleanup (gather trash, rinse/soak dishes) and save the rest of the tidying (putting furniture and belongings back in place, mopping the floor, etc.) for the next day.
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