Essential Party Supplies You Need for Your Next Get Together
It's no secret that we haven't been gathering much this year. But as we've learned to take proper precautions, we can start looking ahead with great anticipation to a time when we can come together again as the social creatures we are. So party planning is finally back on our horizons.
Of course, since it's been so long since we've been throwing parties, we may have forgotten what separates a mere gathering of people from a full-fledged event with a capital E. Now is the perfect time to learn a few new tricks and maybe even, if necessary, unlearn some of those bad old habits from before. If you're just coming out of your shell, you want every event to be worth the effort to get a party off without a hitch. Here are some essential party supplies you need for your next get-together. Plan smart, have fun, and of course—be safe.
Flatware
You don't need sterling silver utensils for your party, but the stainless steel you use for everyday meals doesn't feel appropriate. Go out of the ordinary and serve a big crowd with something that won't put so much strain on your dishwasher at the end of the night. Peruse some disposable dinnerware sets and find the flatware collection that's just right for your event. The best tip for disposable flatware is to ensure your knives are just right: not so dull that they can't cut anything, but not so sharp as to be dangerous.
Napkins
You may have heard stories of how millennials have killed the disposable napkin: by opting for the same paper towels they'd wipe down the kitchen counter with, they've obviated the need for dedicated paper products at the table. But reports of the napkin's demise have been greatly exaggerated—after all, you would never dream of putting out paper towels for a party, would you? Napkins will accompany your hors d'oeuvres and dinner, so pay attention to form and function when selecting the right napkins for the night. You don't want napkins that will fall apart, nor should they be unpleasant to look at.
Tableware
A special occasion used to be the time to "get out the fine china." But let's say your parents have held onto the family china collection, you've been in no hurry to buy an ensemble of your own, and even if you have, the thought of delicately hand-washing it all when the night is over is enough to make you forget about ever buying any in the first place.
So, with that out of the way, modern times call for modern tableware. But contemporary doesn't always have to mean casual. We all love the notion of cooking a "one-pot dinner," but a one-plate dinner doesn't exactly hold the same appeal for your guests. You'll need separate plates between courses to give your meal the elegance it deserves because a dinner worth throwing a whole party for demands nothing less. But because any party supplier knows there's more than meets the eye to assembling napkins, utensils, and plates, you can find expertly curated ensembles that come together exquisitely and save you money. Whether you elect to go with durable plastic options or equally as hardy but eco-friendly materials, a party with coordinated packages will make every guest feel special.
Coat Hangers
Cold temperatures hit most of us around this time of year, so anyone coming over will probably be taking off their coat and staying a while. Having everyone toss their coats on the guest room bed seems simple and satisfactory until one person goes home in someone else's black wool overcoat. You don't need a professional coat-check operation, but extra coordination could prevent coat pile mishaps. Clearing out a hall closet for the evening or picking up a dedicated coat rack for your parties will cut down on clutter and confusion, not to mention keeping everyone's nice winter jackets from getting crumpled in a pile. Consider some light color coding for your coat hangers: mixing up two similar coats is harder if they're hung on different colored hangers. The only catch is making sure you remember whose coat is on the blue hanger and whose is on the pink one. Take notes if you have to!
Music
We've discussed some of the physical necessities of a memorable party, but your aural backdrop is also essential. A significant event is too important to entrust to a phone set on shuffle, so if you want music to play a part in your gathering, make sure to do it right. Ensure that you can send your music through a good sound system, and curate your party playlist beforehand to ensure that all the music you play is fun, unobtrusive, well-sequenced, and won't teach your guests' kids any new words. Don't let any obnoxious tracks slip into the mix—if you must, save those for a cue to get your last guest to leave.
Centerpiece
Whether it's a traditional Thanksgiving horn of plenty, Christmas candles flanked with poinsettia and holly, or a photographic celebration of your shower's guest of honor, a quality centerpiece can lend a special feeling to the dinner table. You can always buy a centerpiece, of course. Still, if you or your child is artistically inclined, this is a perfect opportunity to add some truly personal touches to the proceedings. If arts and crafts aren't your things, an excellent selection of flowers, natural or artificial, can serve you and your dinner table just as well.
These are a few of the essential party supplies you need for your next get-together, but as necessary as these items are, remember that no great party is complete without delicious food, treasured family and friends, and a convivial spirit. It's been a rough year, and as soon as you feel ready to bring everyone in for the holiday and personal celebrations, you'll have everything you need to make the first big event in months one that your guests will enjoy and remember. And when the guests have gone home and the party is over, you won't be facing a daunting list of cleaning tasks, either. That, more than anything, should have you looking ahead to your next party.
