party Archives - Have Sippy Will Travel

Being a Great Host to Your Guests

July 21, 2022 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Hosting friends is a fun and rewarding experience. Everyone likes to be invited to other people’s houses, after all. Rather than simply being a nuisance, hosting guests can be a great source of stress release; it forces you to tidy up, learn new recipes, and generally come up with new ways to have people over.

Being a good host isn’t as straightforward as one may think. It takes practice, planning, and understanding the etiquette of having guests over in your home. Thankfully, there are some simple things you can do as a host that will make your guests want to keep coming back for more. Below are some top tips you should follow to become a better host when inviting guests over.

1. Invite guests individually and follow up

Inviting guests to your place is a lot like dating. You have to invest time into getting to know them, building rapport, and getting them interested in coming over. The first thing you should do when inviting guests over is to ask them individually; this way, you won’t have to worry about whether or not the person you request will come.

If someone comes and leaves early, it is your responsibility as the hostess to talk with them and see if they would like another invitation. If they do, then make sure that you follow up with them. Most people want to know that you are interested in them as a person and their skills, so giving them another invitation is the perfect way to keep them coming back.

2. Don’t run out of food and drinks

Food is the number one reason why people invite others over. If you’re running low on food, keeping your guests in the loop is best. There is nothing more annoying than asking your guests if they want another drink or would like a snack because you ran out of food. It can also be embarrassing, especially if your guests come for dinner.

To ensure that you don’t run out of food, plan. Ensure there is enough of everything in the fridge before your guest arrives and that you have enough food to cater to them. Many people find it challenging to cook meals when hosting because they don’t know what ingredients to use or what dishes go with what.

If you’re a good host, your guests will be able to come over and relax. That means that they will be more likely to drink and talk, which can also be quite fun if you have many friends. You can order Maddalena wines online to help entertain your guests. Keep plenty of drinks on hand for everyone to ensure your guests stay warm and happy.

3. Communicate intentions

Your guests will most likely have an idea of what they are expecting from your home, and you should make sure that you communicate your expectations clearly to them during the booking process.

If you’re having a party for friends in a rented house and you’ve been clear with them about the rules of the house (such as no smoking or pets), you must be equally transparent with your guests. If one of your guests expects to bring their children, but they haven’t been made aware of this when booking, it is up to them to find alternative accommodation—a potentially stressful situation. The key is to make your guests feel welcome and comfortable in your home and be clear about what is and isn’t allowed.

4. Be ready when guests arrive

Your duty is to be prepared when guests arrive. You should have everything they might need. This includes food, drinks, and even entertainment if they are unfamiliar with the area. By being prepared, you are showing your guests that you care about them and will be there to welcome them in.

Being prepared also means saving yourself the trouble of running around trying to find things while guests are still arriving. Many people don’t realize that they should be prepared for their guests, which is why many hosts have to run around frantically looking for things. There is nothing more annoying than having your guests waiting for you and not being able to find the things that you need.

5. Mix and mingle with everyone

Interacting with your guests and having a good time is the best way to make them feel welcome. If you don’t want to be stuck in one place, try to keep the group together so they can mingle and get to know each other. It’s also a great way to have some fun with your friends, family, or significant other.

Having guests over is an excellent way of showing appreciation for them and making them feel welcome. Following these tips will ensure that your guests have a wonderful time at your home and that they leave feeling content.

Filed Under: lifestyle items Tagged With: check in, party

5 Tips for Your Next Wine and Cheese Pairing Party

April 19, 2018 by Samantha 1 Comment

When you invite friends over to try an array of wines and cheeses, you want to make sure you select the right ones that complement one another beautifully. For example, a sauvignon blanc will pair nicely with a fine mozzarella while pinot grigio is better with ricotta. The last thing you want is for the taste of the wine to be compromised with the wrong cheese. To help you with planning the festivities, here are some pointers for getting the right cheeses with the wine you want to provide.

1. Match Intensity

As a general rule of thumb, you want to match the intensity of the wine with whatever cheese you choose. If the wine you have has an ABV less than 12 percent, then you will want a more delicate cheese. However, if the wine has an ABV greater than 14.5 percent, then you can opt for a more intense cheese.

2. Sweet Wines Go With Funky Cheeses

It is a lot of fun to branch out and try some funky cheeses at a pairing event. You need to go about consuming these cheeses wisely because tasting them with the wrong type of wine can leave a bad taste in your mouth. A good rule to follow is to pair funky cheeses with sweet wines. These wines are generally considered to be “dessert wines,” and the “stink” associated with the cheese makes it almost creamy when paired with a sweeter wine.

3. Firm Cheese Is a Safe Bet

When in doubt, you cannot go wrong with firm, nuttier cheeses for your wine and cheese pairing. This is a good route to take when there will be several different wines available, and you do not want people searching for the right cheese to use. The best cheeses to use in this instance include gouda, abbaye de belloc, gruyere and Swiss.

4. Red Wines Work Excellently With Aged Cheeses

Aged cheeses are popular because they come with numerous health benefits. Cheese is described as aged when it loses a significant amount of its water content. As a result, it works best with red wines high in tannins. Your best bet will be to go for a cheese that has been aged for at least one year.

5. Go for Wines and Cheeses From the Same Region

It is always fun if your party can have a theme, and you can be certain the wines and cheeses will work well together if they come from the same area. For example, you can pair goat cheese from Loire Valley in France with a sauvignon blanc from the same region.

You want your wine and cheese pairing event to go off without a hitch. The last thing you want to do is select a cheese that leaves an unpleasant taste in people’s mouths when served with a certain wine. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available to help you pick out the right items to go with each other. With the right pairings, your friends and acquaintances will talk about your party for years to come.

Filed Under: food Tagged With: check in, food, party

Planning the Perfect Party Food

January 26, 2016 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Food brings people together in a very special way, so having the right foods at your next gathering could be the make or break point at your party. Take this advice and be sure to be prepared the next time you’re playing host and want to make a good impression.

Know your Audience
It’s important to remember, when you’re planning the menu for your party, the food is for your guests first and foremost -not you. Know what kind of crowd will show up, and be sure to take note of the occasion. For instance, it’s probably not wise to serve escargo at a superbowl party, likewise hot wings probably wouldn’t go over tremendously well at a dinner party.
Have the Right Tools
Party supplies are a big part of any gathering. You may have prepared the most terrific dish that suits your party guests perfectly, and has everyone’s mouth watering, however if you have no forks, plates, napkins, and other utensils there’s no point really, as no one will be able to enjoy the food eating with their hands.
Try New Things
Yes, your fudge brownies are amazing; yes, your guests do like eating them; but no, they do not want to eat fudge brownies every single time that they’re over. There’s nothing wrong with having favorites, but it’s important to mix things up and bring something fresh to your party to keep your guests on their toes and coming back for more.
Variety
Going back to the Superbowl party scenario covered previously, hot wings are probably a good fit for that type of party -however, if there’s nothing else but hot wings there, your guests may become a little bored. It may also be a problem if you serve nothing but hot wings, only to learn that your guests don’t actually like hot wings. Mix up your menu, and offer dishes that compliment one another.
Keep It Simple
It can be easy to get caught up planning your menu and wanting to impress your guests, there’s nothing wrong with that. However, if your dishes take an entire day to prepare, are complicated to serve to a large number of people, or are difficult to eat, maybe think about taking it down a notch. Your menu doesn’t need to be a 5 star restaurant’s caliber to be impressive, keep it simple and allow your guests to enjoy the food without working too hard.
Have a Back-Up Plan
There are always things that you can’t plan for, there is never a “perfect” party. This rule applies to food as well, unexpected things such as allergies, or spilled dishes can occur and as a good hostess, you should be prepared for them. Have a backup dish ready in case of emergency, always.

Filed Under: lifestyle items Tagged With: check in, party

Add Something Sweet to Your Wedding

January 26, 2014 by Samantha 2 Comments

Getting married is a fun and exciting time, but it’s understandably stressful. Of course, you want your wedding to be nothing less than perfect. Whether it is the dress, the flowers or even the invitations, your wedding should be something you remember for the rest of your life. But even if you are holding an indoor or outdoor wedding, at a church or on the beach, the biggest delight your guest’s will receive, besides your union, is the food.

So let’s talk about candy. It’s a treat that never fails to delight the young or the old. Believe it or not, candy buffets and party treats have never and will never go out of style. These delectable delights can make the wedding or even the wedding shower an instant hit. Though your wedding is for you, the enthusiasm from your guests as well as the shared memories makes candy the ideal kick-starter for the big celebration.

There are three solid reasons you should consider candy in your wedding planning. The first is that bulk Candy is inexpensive. This is of great benefit as weddings can be, at times, a terrible financial burden. The second is that there are generous varieties to choose from when it comes to picking a theme. With endless candies come endless possibilities. The third reason is simply, simplicity. The ease of creating things such as candy favors can take away some of the stress that goes into wedding or shower planning.

As love is the centerfold of this joyous occasion, the heart shape that symbolizes that love is always in demand! Whether you choose from the classic chocolate hearts to the hard conversation candy hearts, there is a plethora of options available to celebrate your union sweetly! (Especially if you’re celebrating around Valentine’s Day.) Another great choice in the candy department are flower pop lollipop bouquets. These individual candies make sure that those who missed catching the bouquet are still awarded!
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: candy bars, candy party, party, wedding

Frugal is Beautiful:Tips for Weddings on a Budget

January 23, 2014 by Samantha 1 Comment

Your wedding is one of the most important events in your life – but it certainly doesn’t have to be the most expensive. These days, the average cost of a wedding in the United States is $25,656. If that number induces more stress than the thought of holidays with your future in-laws, don’t fret: you don’t have to pay anywhere near that amount to have a beautiful ceremony and reception. If you budget wisely, you can make a frugal wedding a truly memorable event. Here are 7 tips for weddings on a budget.

Start comparison shopping. Create a chart to make comparing features and prices offered by the various venues easier. For example, one company might not include the cake while another may skip the linens. Keep track of all the candidates and choose the one who offers your favorite amenities for a price that most closely matches your budget. (Of course, there’s something to be said for choosing a company or person who makes you comfortable and understands your needs – even if they’re not the least expensive option, they’ll save you stress and time in the long run!)

“Most places will offer different levels of packages for your event,” explains Brandon Walker, the event manager at of Oklahoma event center Credit Union House. “The trick is to ask a representative to show you all of the available packages – then weigh those against other companies’ offerings.”

Travel to an inexpensive but scenic location. Weddings are generally less expensive in rural areas as compared to urban ones. And while you might think of a destination wedding as a huge economic burden, you’ll probably end up with a smaller guest list – so the overall cost will be lower than if you held the ceremony in your hometown. Go far enough away that only the most devoted loved ones (and your most well-off friends!) will attend. You may want to invite everyone from your co-workers to the mailman, but paying for a small wedding party is infinitely cheaper – even if you have to invest in travel arrangements.

Go public. Many beautiful parks and other public spaces allow weddings and other events for a small fee. Look into aquariums, zoos, galleries and historic sites, as these locations come already equipped with a distinctive ambiance and theme. Most will not include tables, chairs or other necessities, so you will need to make room in the budget for rentals. Contact your local school, church, or community organizations to find out if you can rent tables and chairs – or even borrow them free of charge.
[Read more…]