The Five Senses of Entertaining

For my first post, I have been trying to think what would be the best "ta da" to get everything off to a good start. So, I think that I will just start with the my philosophy of entertaining. That is why I started this blog...to share tips, advice and my thoughts on various parties (and how to plan them well). So here it is...the guideline (or philosophy) I use when planning any event.

Whenever I plan a party (no matter if it is a simple get together or a grand affair) I sit down and brainstorm the details that will appeal to my guest's five senses. The result? A well thought out party that has guests talking about the shindig months later.

Below are examples of what I mean when I say "appeal to the five senses" when planning a party. In some cases, you may think of something that does double duty (for example, fresh flowers appeal to the sight and smell senses) but by taking time to think through each sense and what will appeal to all five during an event, you will become a fabulous hostess/host/party planner.

Sight

As soon as your guests walk through your front door or garden gate, set their sights on beautiful things. Fresh flowers, lit candles, or a beautifully set table, create a welcome that captures more than a glance.

Sound

Whether guests hear ambient music, birds singing, or water falling, sound is an essential component of a successful party. It helps to set the mood, the pace, and the overall feeling of the celebration. No matter if you're hosting a backyard barbecue or a cocktail party, think about the atmosphere you desire and work to achieve that feeling through sound.

Smell

Smell has the power to remind us of our childhood, a moment in time, or a particular person. It has such a strong connection with our emotions, but is often ignored when planning an event.

Some easy and fairly inexpensive ways to create a wonderful smell that fits the occasion is to buy a candle that has been infused with the aroma that will delight your guest's nose. Fresh flowers are also a great way to fill the space with clean scents. Timing when you bake your dessert or hot appetizer also helps to create great smells when guests arrive.

Touch

Entice your guests to not only study your table and party decorations, but make the party accessories either interesting or playful enough for guests to want to pick the items up. For instance, display photos of the guest of honor or strategically place memorabilia or items that enhance your theme all around your event space.

Taste

Some may argue that food is the most important factor to a successful party. We would say that we have to agree. That is why we rely heavily on some key cookbooks to help us delight our guest's appetites. The Joy of Cooking and the Best New Recipe are some of our favorites. Generally, the recipes are easy and turn out wonderful, giving the perception that you are professional chef.

So, "ta da". Happy party planning. Oh, and please drop me a line. Do you have a philosophy when it comes to your parties?

If you would like to learn more or gather inspiration for an upcoming event you are going to host, visit www.urbanitystudios.com/ideas