Fall is almost here! It’s time to trade in your grill and lawn games for a crock pot and cozy conversations indoors. Hosting a summer cocktail party seems pretty simple – throw some food on the grill, mix up a pitcher of cocktails and let your guests be casual as they enjoy the summer weather. Now that it’s time to move back inside, things start to feel more complicated. Do I have room for everyone in a smaller space? What kind of food do I serve that won’t cause unnecessary stress? Do I need elaborate fall decorations?
Our Denver Regional Director, Kathryn, shares some of her favorite tips to keep fall cocktail parties just as simple as the summer ones.
- Break out the crock pot! Who said the crock pot is just for easy weeknight dinners? Save time and energy with your crock pot or slow cooker by making anything from a roasted chicken to spiced glazed carrots to dipsyour guests will love. And don’t forget dessert! Did you know you can make pumpkin cheesecake in a crock pot?
2. Spice up your cocktails. Fall is FULL of wonderful flavors – pumpkin, cinnamon and apple can make anything taste like the fall season. Try a caramel apple Moscow mule, a maple bourbon old fashioned or any of these other fall concoctions. My favorite thing is to make harvest punch in a large glass drink dispenser that will last the whole night so you won’t be stuck in the kitchen mixing drinks.
3. Make the space cozy. While it may not be possible to host your party outdoors due to cold weather, try utilizing an outdoor fire pit or buying a patio heater to create a nice ambiance. Use plenty of simple candle displays indoors and patio lights outdoors to create the feeling of warmth and comfort.
4. Don’t underestimate the power of smell. There’s nothing that gets me in a festive mood like the amazing smell of fall spices. You can simmer a pot of spices on the stove or try any of these ideas to create fall aromas. My personal favorite, and easiest, is to buy a cinnamon broom! Display it anywhere and your home will smell like fall in no time. Plus, it lasts for several weeks so you can keep things festive all season long!
Our last tip for hosting a fall cocktail party? Don’t forget to hire Party Host Helpers! From a classy cocktail party to football game day to Thanksgiving, our party staff will take away the stress so you can enjoy your guests.