Adair Bachman Entertaining

Hosting a Luncheon last weekend at an infamous Bel Air property, one of our dear clients, no stranger to chic, fun, and impromptu entertaining on grand and intimate scale had what would be a hostess dilemma on her hands.  Her husband had to attend a funeral at the same time as the luncheon.

She quickly requested that servers come around with ice tea, water, champagne, AND little cuts of pizza as soon as guests started to arrive.  This instantly got the luncheon started vs. waiting till the majority of the guests arrived to be seated for the luncheon, the pizzas and libation provided a gracious moment for the husband / co-host to visit briefly with his guests before departing for the funeral.

WHAT a simple and fine entertaining tip vs. the regretful alternative of “Harry couldn’t make it… he has a funeral…” What a drag on a bright and sunny  Sunday luncheon held to celebrate someone.

1. Organize with Comfort in Mind : The nuts and bolts of all entertaining at home should be comfort, both your guests and your own comfort while your get-together is underway.  If there is an obstacle to anyone’s comfort this should be organized or “planned” away prior.  A “fail-proof” plan is better than a list of contingencies.  

-What if’s and What have you’s come up often when planning parties for clients and friends..  Our answer is to plan over them rather than around… “If we go this way and it rains…..  if we have it here and it’s cold…. ”  Unresolved and unorganized solutions to these types of questions are an obstacle to everyones comfort while entertaining.

2. Add Intention Not Pixie Dust :  Guests delight when they discover you have thought things out for their enjoyment - maybe in a super comfortable way, a new way, or with abundance.  Glitter, frivolous gimmicks,  and big box party salves don’t necessarily point to thoughtful intention from your guests standpoint.  If they don’t have a comfortable spot to lounge, have to wait for a drink, etc..  the party decorations don’t make up for such party short-comings.  A great day bed, a good bar, and abundant grub can make the alley behind your outer borough apartment the place to be on any given night.

3.Bring People Together with a Surprise : an occasion appropriate (or inappropriate) Surprise will get people talking and bring them together.  (Two elements necessary for a “Real Party”)  This could be as simple as a ceremoniously large bottle of an animating beverage, any matter of unexpected entertainment, a special menu item, a purveyor or artisan showing up bearing gifts for your guests, a beloved surprise guest of honor, or even a simple and rare party game, a funny, thoughtful or risque short film can warm up and surprise a crowd as well.

4. DIVERSION IS ALWAYS THE GOAL AS A HOST :  An escape from the everyday, a few hours chatting, visiting, OR dancing.  You want your guests spirits lifted and excited to be engaged in a few hours fun.  YOU, want to do this more often, so it should definitely be a diversion for you as well.  Beyond your mix of guests, the lighting/ambiance, music, and the collective vibe from the refreshments does go a long way in getting guests “diverted” and riding on the ether of your hosting skillz.