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When hosting a party this winter, you want your guests to feel at home. This can be a tall order when you’ve already lost space to decorations. You may also have a challenge getting people to mingle when you have several guests who may not know each other. Here are a few ideas to help you make your next party a hit, whether it’s indoors or outdoors.
Remember the Seating
Many people don’t RSVP anymore, so it can be hard to calculate how many chairs you’ll need. While people won’t be comfortable walking into a room with chairs lining the outer wall, you can still be prepared by having a stash of folding chairs out in the garage. As guests arrive, you can quickly grab extra seating to be sprinkled around the space.
Allow for Overflow
Regardless of where you live, the patio of your home may be perfect as an overflow area. Set up the patio furniture, and put out some lights for ambience. Find a good selection of sturdy seating at retailers like Design Furnishings that can be good for winter and summer. If you’re in a cold climate, then have someone keep an eye on the fire pit, or just turn on the patio heater. You may have guests who simply want to get some fresh air and a little break from the crowds inside.
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Remember the Activities
Getting people to mingle can be like pulling teeth sometimes, but you’ll help everyone feel at home if you include some activities. It can be a simple as a white elephant exchange, or you can make it delicious by swapping cookies and judging pie flavors. If you’re having an Ugly Sweater party, then pick up some prizes for the winners. Games and activities are a great way to break the ice, and help everyone feel more at home.
Serve up the Hot Dishes
If you’re hosting a party in any type of cool climate, be sure to remember the hot dishes. Spicy buffalo chicken dip is always a hit, and you may even decide to put out a crockpot of chili for people who just need to warm up. Spinach dip is an excellent choice for a small appetizer, and Swedish meatballs are a fast and easy choice for people who are walking around the room.
This winter, take your party to the next level by thinking a little outside the box. Don’t just invite people over and hope for the best. Have some activities planned that everyone can participate in. Have extra seating ready to go, and keep the patio set up for your guests who need some fresh air.