Philly’s top tips for a perfect post lockdown party

philly’s top tips for a perfect post lockdown party

GET CREATIVE WITH SUGAR & RIND AS RESTRICTIONS EASE

GETTING CREATIVE

Now we can party with 30 guests outside, and more when restrictions are lifted on June 21, are you making the most of your outdoor space?  One thing that is lovely to do in summer is create a ‘garden room’. You can do this by using a covering, like a stretch tent.  It doesn’t have to be big and is a really effective way of maximising the space. It also looks super chic and is great for the British weather. The free flowing design and flexibility of a stretch tent means that suddenly you’ve created a whole room at your house that people haven’t seen before. The sides can also be pulled down if it rains.

DITCH FORMAL SEATING

Sitting next to each other at stuffy dinner parties is out – and no one wants to get stuck next to Auntie Glad without being able to move for an hour! Ditch the traditional sit down and have lots of lovely informal seating arrangements instead. Think comfy seats, low coffee tables, cushions, rugs, and fold away chairs so you can create extra space when it’s time to hit the dancefloor. If you’re entertaining in the garden, a firepit with low benches and blankets creates a cosy corner at night. This will keep your guests warm and act as a chill out zone.

HAVE A DINE ANYWHERE APPROACH

This is not as scary as it sounds, and doesn’t mean people will be eating food all over your furniture.  It’s lovely to hire a private chef, but if you’re not having a sit down meal order a selection of food platters guests can share instead.  Grazing platters are very on trend right now and come in lots of options, from antipasti to tapas, meze, cheese – even dessert platters.  Having the option to perch where you want as you eat creates a sense of freedom for guests and a much warmer, relaxed vibe.  Bowl food – small dishes such as risotto, curry or chilli – is another great ‘dine anywhere’ option, which will fill your guests up while maintaining an informal setting.

LIGHTING IS KEY

Having the right lighting can make or break a party, as it helps create atmosphere and mood.  Festoon lights are so pretty and make everything feel much more special. Another thing that can completely transform your outdoor space is adding lights to plants and trees.  If you have a tree in your garden, wrap fairy lights around it. Or add solar lanterns to your flower beds, which will come on as darkness falls. Just don’t forget to charge your solar lights for 48 hours beforehand. Inside is where the dancefloor will be, so think about having a mirrored disco ball to bring the party vibes – or even a customised neon sign which you can attach to the wall and feel like you’re in a real bar.

BRING THE WOW FACTOR

If you have the budget, go all out and bring the wow factor to your party with some added extras to surprise your guests.  This could be hiring a mixologist to serve proper cocktails, or having a flair bartender put on a show – which is a fabulous opener for any party.  You could even add a live performer to play alongside your DJ, such as a percussionist, saxophonist or violinist to really get the party rocking.

CHECK YOUR GUEST LIST

Once restrictions are fully lifted, pay close attention to your number of guests in relation to the space you are using.  This is super important and very often overlooked, but is vital for the vibe of any party.  There is nothing worse than a huge room and not enough people in it. It’s much better to be crowded, even if it’s a bit hectic to begin with, because it will always thin out as the night goes on.