As we welcome summer with a warm, swimsuit-clad embrace and a chilled glass of rosé in hand, the prospect of balmy evenings spent with excellent food, good vibes and great company feels palpable. But with myriad festivities ahead, the thought of home entertaining may get a little daunting. Welcoming loved ones into your home can be fraught with last minute stress, the pressure to get everything ‘right’, and the woes of disorganisation. Deep breaths. When throwing your next fabulous summer fete, here’s a few helpful (and oh-so simple) tips to hone those host(ess) skills and stay calm.
Set the mood with Abode Aroma
Who can forget those sacred pillars of entertaining? Ambiance and atmosphere. Homely summer gatherings aren’t complete without a divine fragrance for your guests to revel in. If French is the language of love, fragrance is the language of memory. A home that exudes personality through a captivating scent will spark a truly memorable fiesta for your nearest and dearest.
For conjuring a dreamy atmosphere, turn to the simple touch of candlelight with one of Abode Aroma’s soy candles. For a touch of glow and a low-lit backdrop to the good times, strike a match as the sun begins to set and enjoy the gentle flicker of a candle .
If it’s ambiance you’re longing to achieve, reach for a potent Abode Aroma reed diffuser. Perhaps you’re drawn to wafts of Fresh Fig, bursting with ripe, fruity aromas, or your home pairs perfectly with a Lemongrass fragrance, exuding a crisp fusion of Eastern wildflowers, cedar and fresh basil. Finding a scent that feels bespoke to your haven will enthral your guests as they enter peripheral areas such as the bathroom.
The Power of a Glorious Grazing Plate
Magnificent cheese platters are a classic hallmark of all summery get-togethers. Think rustic, wooden boards swathed in salami and fresh market gems such as soft cheeses, colourful dips, juicy fruits and crunchy grissini sticks. A share-style grazing plate or table serves as a failsafe, striking antidote to entertaining woes.
Don't forget the music
Music is a must. While feasting and catching up over a clamour of conversations, set the tempo low to avoid any major distractions. But, when the dinner party transcends into a dance floor, press play on a favourite Spotify playlist (think ‘All Out 80s’), old CD or your own tailor-made lineup of tunes. Keep your portable speakers charged up, and prepare before the party ensemble arrive.
May your drinks be ever-flowing
Make sure to prepare potent party juice, tempered with plenty of water and mocktails for a fruity alternative to the real stuff. When it comes to catering beverages at summer’s hot peak, more is always more. With a bar cart fully locked and loaded, invite guests to DIY their drinks, or create a delectable punch bowl for visitors to ladle on arrival. Think Pimms replete with citrus fruits and hoards of ice, fresh mojitos in glass tumblers topped with mint leaves, or an Aperol Spritz station adorned with orange segments.
Keep the menu seasonal, tonal & vibrant
As much as every budding entertainer would love to morph into Nigella Lawson for the night, it’s important to resist feeling the pressure. If cooking is your forte, excellent. If you feel slightly off- kilter in the kitchen, especially when entertaining, stick to your guns and serve up what you know best. A menu rife with kaleidoscopic colours, fresh produce, any relevant dietary tweaks and crowd-pleasing dishes will go down a treat. If all else fails, strive for a rainbow of salads and brilliantly BBQ’d meats, followed by a juicy fruit platter and ice cream for dessert.
On the next sweltering summer evening, approach your get-together with an air of ‘cool’. From finishing touches of intoxicating scents, to icy cascades of drinks for guests on arrival, we know you’re now set to helm nights steeped in laughter, ambiance and fun.