The Ultimate Holiday Party
The holidays can be stressful enough, but throw in hosting a party and you might just find yourself gritting your teeth. Making your event one for the ages can seem like a daunting, nerve-racking task,. That is, unless you know the tricks of trade to make it one stylish soiree.
Whether you live in a West Coast bungalow or the Lenox Hill apartments of Manhattan, these pro style tips are sure to take your party from bland to glam. Here are six sure fire ways to keep things stylish.
Theme, Shmeme
Whether it's ugly Christmas sweaters or elf costumes, the common holiday party always has a theme. However, what does that theme have to do with you? Nothing.
A true sense of style revolves around who are. A few holiday decorations are, of course, in order. However, you should avoid any kind of tacky theme and go with something more natural. If you're into baking, then center the party around baked goods. If you prefer fine spirits, then make the night about tasting exquisite liquors and maybe even pair them with fancy cigars. Choose something that speaks to you, and you'll have a one-of-a-kind event.
Simplicity Is The Key
While people attend a party for the fun of free food and drinks, they also go for the host. They want to see and spend time with you, their friend. Now, this can become challenging as you spread yourself thin over helping guests with coats, preparing and bringing out the food, and serving up drinks. The trick? Keep things as simple as possible.
Starting with food, create a simple buffet of hors d'oeuvres that your guests can pick up while mingling with one another. For drinks, a sangria or eggnog cocktail served punch-style is sure to please, while setting out glasses/cups for everyone keeps you more hands-free. The less you have to do, the more time you'll be able to enjoy your own party and spend time with your friends.
Forget LED Lights
Yes, twinkling white or colored LED lights look nice, but they're on the bottom rung of style when compared to the warm glow of a candle. Decorating your home with little flames doesn't have to expensive, either. When it comes to setting the mood with proper lighting, no one will be able to tell the difference between cheap candle sticks and expensive tri-wicked variants.
Scent and Sound
As visually appealing as your home may be, no amount of sights can create the true holiday feeling. What you guests need is the right smells mixed in with the right music. You can have you house smelling like the holidays in a snap by simmering cinnamon sticks and apple slices in a pot on the stove, or even pine. Experiment with different fruits, spices, and plants until you find a smell that's just right.
When it comes to music, set a playlist for the evening to keep things simple. Don't feel like you have to stick with Christmas classics, though. In keeping things classy, you might want to pick out a slection of smooth jazz (perhaps featuring a few renditions of the classics) to create a more inviting atmosphere dor discussion.
Set Your Cliches Aside
Much like you wouldn't create a playlist that repeats the usual radio holiday favorites or have everyone show up in ugly Christmas sweaters, you also wouldn't want to make your party a cliche by having the usual decor. Spicing things up might seem scary at first, but it can work wonders in making your event stand out in the minds of your guests.
Skip the pine cones, poinsettas, and wreaths. Instead, opt for live plants and a real fruit bowl. If your home has neither, the utilize objects you already own. All you have to do is arrange them in ways that bring out your homes finer features. For instance, moving a picture frame from a desktop to a bookshelf, then adding a candle or even some plastic plants, can completely change that bookcases' appearance. It's the little things that wow your guests, not a series of tacky wreaths.
Lenox Hill Apartments
Whether it's celebrating the holiday season or simply enjoying life any other time of year, there's nothing quite like a wonderful place to call home. Those seeking the quintessential New York City rental experience can look to Renoir House to satisfy their Manhattan lifestyle needs. These indulgent, newly redesigned apartments place residents in the heart of world-renowned museums, premier shopping, and the best in 4-star dining available on the island.
Spacious floor plans come complete with unique barnwood-style flooring, dual panel solid core doors, walk in closets with custom shelving and private terraces. Open kitchen layouts feature iced white quartz countertops accented by Bosch stainless steel appliances and glass tile backsplashes. Under cabinet lighting decorates brushed nickel Moen fixtures, while Fisher Paykel gas ranges allow you to discover your inner chef. Contemporary vanities and caeserstone countertops can be found in every bathroom, but that's just the beginning.
Renoir House's community is filled with first class amenities from a gym to keep you in shape to a rooftop deck for relaxing and taking in the scenes of the city. A landscaped patio offers tranquility amongst the hustle and bustle of New York life, while concierge services attend to your every need. On-site parking eliminates the tedium of side-street mayhem, and the pet-friendly building means that furry guests are welcome too.
This ideal location in the coveted Upper East Side offers easy access to the subway so you can explore the city, but nearby rests an immense collection of already desirable locales. Bloomingdales, Fig and Olive, Jean Georges JoJo and more are no more than three blocks away in any direction. Four blocks over lies Central Park in all its glory, while any given direction yields some of the nation's top museums and universities.
Renoir House is more than just another home in the city, it is a redefined version of luxe living here in Manhattan.
