About Janette Ewen
Veteran stylist and trend reporter, Janette Ewen’s love of the finer things has always shaped her life. Now she’s spilling industry secrets to help you make life at home sweet. From chic décor to decadent dinner parties—living with style isn’t as expensive as you think.
With the warm weather in full swing, there is no time like now for a party! For the 2009 summer season (with so few of us traveling) the biggest trend in outdoor entertaining is the “destination party.” This super-chic style of party is easier to plan than you think, it just takes a little imagination, a splash of inspired décor, and of course, a five-star menu and cocktail list.
Make your party an A-list event with my chic and simple entertaining ideas.
1. Choose your Destination
Before the invitations go out, before the menu is set, and before a cocktail is selected, pick a destination to build your theme. This will help guide any choices you make while planning your party. Top destinations for 2009: Moroccan cocktail party, East Coast clambake, formal British garden tea party and Calgary-inspired hoedown.
2. Transform your Outdoor Space
Arrange your backyard or balcony to reflect your theme. For example, for a Moroccan-inspired party lay a colourful outdoor rug across your deck. Bring out your indoor coffee table (to be used as a dining table) and scatter oversized throw pillows for ground-level seating. Hang inexpensive paper lanterns in jewel-tone colours at various heights and use plenty of florals.
DIY Moroccan Centrepiece: On the tabletops use a rustic Moroccan teapot (I found mine at HomeSense) as a vase and place a colourful Orchid and a palm leaf in the teapot. Scatter Clementine oranges across the table grouping several around the floral teapots; a few loose flowers mixed with the oranges complete this exotic look.
3. Welcome your Guests
Make your guests feel special from the moment they walk in the door with a custom cocktail designed for the event. Sangria is a great option that can be tweaked depending on the level of formality of your event. White sangria is perfect for an afternoon in the garden while traditional sangria is ideal for a South Pacific or Mediterranean-themed party.
4. Set the Mood with Food
Select menu items that are on theme and easy to make (President’s Choice pre-made appetizers and desserts from its 1000 Tastes of Canada offers a wide variety of ethnic options) or that can be cooked outside. This way you won’t be running in and out of the house and will always be close to your guests making the evening more fun for everyone!
DIY Menu: Just like a high-end restaurant, create and display your menu for the event. Print your menu at home on quality card stock and display on the main table. Remember to tie your paper selection to your theme or destination. Inexpensive “scrapbooking” cutouts can be easily added to give a polished touch. At your bar, display printed cards with the signature cocktails for your event.
5. Prep a Playlist
No party is complete without musical ambiance. Download a pre-designed playlist from iTunes or design your own. E-mail guests a week ahead of time asking for their five favourite songs and compile them for a custom party soundtrack. Then as party favours, send your guests home with a copy of the night’s soundtrack in a custom-designed sleeve.