Entertaining Through The Senses

Entertaining guests in the near future? One of the best ways to prep your home for party-mode is to set the stage by appealing to all five senses: Smell, sight, sound, touch and – our favourite – taste!


SMELL
Who doesn’t love the aroma of freshly baked cookies or the sweet smell of a wildflower bouquet?
Something as simple as lighting a candle can do wonders when it comes to making your guests feel right at home. Consider popular seasonal scents such as Pumpkin Spice, Evergreen and Apple Cinnamon & Brown Sugar. Scents like these tend to be nostalgic and resonate with people. If you enjoy DIY projects, you can whip up your own batch of stovetop potpourri. This is a sure-fire way to ensure your space is delectably fragrant while using the ingredients you want, and it’s a great conversation starter.
 
SIGHT
Provide a feast for the eyes by making sure your home décor is on-point. Declutter your space so it is clean and presentable – you want to impress your guests! Incorporate cute decorations throughout the area that your guests will be in, whether you are sticking with a theme or just want to tie it in with some seasonal flair. Setting the table is a great opportunity to add some personality.  This can be done through a fantastic centerpiece or personalized name plates.

SOUND
Avoid any moments of awkward silences. Add some ambiance by playing some background music- maybe some light jazz or crowd-pleasing pop music. Tweak the music to meet your guests’ preferences. Adjust the volume so that it isn’t too loud – your guests should be able to hold a conversation comfortably without feeling the need to raise their voices.
 
TOUCH
Cozy, soft and comfortable. Experiment with different textures and materials when considering where your guests will be seated during the event. Incorporate warm knitted throws into the living room décor should anyone get chilly.  Ensure your dining room chairs are comfortable so that guests don’t feel like they want to stand up as soon as they sit down.  Don’t forget about the washroom! Big, plush towels for hand-drying are always a crowd pleaser.

TASTE
Everyone loves food! Take your guests’ dietary restrictions into consideration, and make sure that there is something on the menu that will appeal to each person.  If the planned dinner time is a little later in the evening, think about starting off with a few hors d’oeuvres so your guests aren’t starving by the time the main meal is served. As the celebration progresses, have a few options that range from sweet and decadent, to salty and savory. If you really want to leave a lasting impression, create recipe cards for each of the dishes that you can give to your guests so they can recreate the magic on their own!
 
 
Sometimes we forget that we have 5 senses that we can cater to. Have a little something to ignite each one, and your experience will go from great to amazing!