Norfolk


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-drinks3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-45898" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-drinks3.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-drinks3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-drinks3-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-drinks3-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Are you an unflappable host who can throw together a&nbsp;Gatsby-esque&nbsp;gathering just like that? Or does party planning inevitably lead to a few meltdowns and huge relief when the whole thing is over? Join the club! With festive shindigs coming up, we asked party planner extraordinaire,&nbsp;Sarah of <a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/softley-events-norfolk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Softley Events</a>, to share&nbsp;her ultimate tips to help you master the art of entertaining like a pro.</p>



<p>Want to know her secrets to throwing a fabulous party? Here&nbsp;you go then.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-the-invitations-out-early">Get the invitations out early</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-invitation.jpg" alt="Party invitation tied with a bow" class="wp-image-45899" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-invitation.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-invitation-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-invitation-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-invitation-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>In busy times such as the festive period, early planning is certainly recommended in order to ensure that your guests are available.&nbsp;I always believe that the excitement should start with the arrival of the invitation. Be creative &#8211; your invitation should be so enticing that no one will want to miss the party. Don’t forget to include important information: date, time, dress code, what it is – dinner, drinks and nibbles or a party. Don’t forget to add an end time as this will prevent you having endless calls about what time your guests should book their taxi for.&nbsp;Also include if you want guests to bring a bottle or just themselves.<br>If you decide to have a themed party, choose one with a dress code that everyone can embrace, even those who don’t really like fancy dress!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Set a realistic budget</h2>



<p>If you are thinking of having a New Year&#8217;s Eve party and want to book a caterer or band, expect to pay at least double. Keep in mind, gathering of friends is the important thing, not how much you spend.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Catering with class</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/softley-events-gold-table-setting.jpg" alt="Gold table setting from Softley Events" class="wp-image-45900" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/softley-events-gold-table-setting.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/softley-events-gold-table-setting-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/softley-events-gold-table-setting-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/softley-events-gold-table-setting-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Photo: Softley Events</figcaption></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;re having a dinner party and want to go all out but don’t want to worry about cooking yourself, hire a chef and a couple of waiting staff – this is the ultimate luxury. Alternatively, ask your guests to bring one course each &#8211; we would recommend that you do the main course.</p>



<p>If you love to cook make sure you choose a menu that&#8217;s not going to keep you in the kitchen all night. You don’t want to miss the party!</p>



<p>Canapés, whilst lovely, are time consuming. There is no shame in buying them in but present them beautifully and decorate with edible flowers or fresh micro herbs. It makes all the difference. Norfolk has the most fabulous suppliers of these: <a href="https://nurturedinnorfolk.co.uk/">Nutured in Norfolk</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cheers to drinks</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-drinks.jpg" alt="Serving drinks" class="wp-image-45896" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-drinks.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-drinks-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-drinks-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-drinks-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Keep it simple &#8211; no one is going to complain that there wasn&#8217;t a full bar! If you are generously supplying all drinks, we would suggest for a drinks and nibbles party allowing a drink per half hour for each guest. If you are having dinner, allow half a bottle of wine as well and then of course there are digestifs if required. Do allow more though, quite often with a dinner party more wine will be consumed! Many wine merchants will have a sale or return policy. &nbsp;Alternatively, ask your guests to bring a bottle.</p>



<p>Make sure you have plenty of ice. In the winter you can put a box of it outside your back door and it will keep for hours.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Setting the scene</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/festive-decorations-mantel-candles.jpg" alt="Festive decorations and candles on mantelpiece" class="wp-image-45893" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/festive-decorations-mantel-candles.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/festive-decorations-mantel-candles-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/festive-decorations-mantel-candles-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/festive-decorations-mantel-candles-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>For a drinks party or dinner, it is so important to create a warm and relaxing environment. I am a huge fan of candles at any time of year. Add a couple of scented candles to the mix but not too many as they can be overpowering. Lamps rather than overhead lights and light the fire if you have one, or pop some church candles in the fireplace if you think it might get too warm.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Christmas decorations are so beautiful and additional areas such as staircases and mantlepieces can be made to look stunning with simple greenery and lights. For those with the budget, many florists offer a home decorating service.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If you are having a larger-scale party we cannot stress how much of an impact lighting can have. It can completely change the vibe and so is well worth looking into.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pick the playlists</h2>



<p>There is nothing worse than arriving at a party and it being quiet. If you&#8217;re having a smaller party at home have several playlists, starting with a more chilled vibe followed by a more upbeat list once everyone has arrived and the house is buzzing.</p>



<p>For larger parties, it really is worth hiring a DJ if not a band. A good DJ will read the floor and keep it full.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">It’s your party too!</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-drinks2.jpg" alt="Toasting pink fizz" class="wp-image-45897" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-drinks2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-drinks2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-drinks2-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/11/party-drinks2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you are having a party at home do remember that you may be the host but you want to enjoy it as well. Here are my tips to allow you to do this:</p>



<ul><li>Choose a menu that is not going to be stressful for you to prepare.</li><li>Give your family jobs to do during the day.</li><li>If possible hire a couple of waiting staff to help serve drinks, food and keep the kitchen tidy.</li><li>Hire all the plates, glassware and cutlery – you send it back dirty, it is not expensive and you won’t regret it.&nbsp;</li><li>Ensure you are ready at least one hour before your guests arrive – half an hour in the bath with a gin and tonic and half an hour to get ready!<br></li></ul>



<p><strong>If you really want to relax, hire a planner – yes, they really can act as a fairy godmother!</strong> <strong>Creators of bespoke weddings, events and parties for more than 15 years, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.softleyevents.co.uk" target="_blank">Softley Events</a> has a glowing rep for planning, designing and coordinating magical occasions. Find out more in our Little Black Book <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/softley-events-norfolk/" target="_blank">here</a>.</strong></p>


Ready to party? How to host the perfect festive bash

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