Summertime can be the perfect season to refresh our social practices with extended family, friends, and neighbors. We may not often think about what can be some new ways to change up how we entertain when guests come over. It can become easy to host in ways that typically become very routine like, and that require less planning and preparing. Our lives can be so quick paced that when we look to host, we want it to be quick and easy. But what ever happened to dinner parties, dance parties, and soirées? When did we stop elevating the ambiances that helped make get togethers feel like an out of the ordinary experience? Essentially, when did we stop curating an experience for those that come into our home?
I think the want to make life easier essentially created a culture that was more focused on comfort, convenience, and ease. Along the way the idea of hosting get-togethers that are more than a quick crock pot meal makes one feel overwhelmed. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good crockpot meal and regularly use one in the kitchen. I certainly don’t think simple dinner invites aren’t good, on the contrary, they are the most common form of welcoming others into the intimacy of our home. Personally, a simple dinner at home with friends is one of the most beautiful ways to strengthen the bond in those relationships. But when we are thinking about ways that we can refresh how we get together with others to build community, there is nothing like hosting a get together that is a little more elevated in atmosphere and ambiance. A soirée is just the solution to elevating those get-togethers in your home.
Traditionally, a soirée is an evening gathering or party that is refined in some ways where guests are invited to enjoy some form of musical entertainment and or conversation. Usually, a soirée is a more elegant affair, but in todays’ day and age it is safe to say that it can be as refined as you like it to be. A soirée doesn’t necessarily have to be a full on elegant gathering, but finding some way to elevate the affair through a few simple details can be enough to transform your next get-together.
Embracing the season can be a great start to planning a soirée. Depending on the region you are in, setting up outdoors for an evening gathering is the easiest way to transform the ambiance of your party. Nature has a beautiful way of setting the mood and creating a relaxing atmosphere, not to mention providing scenic beauty. Take some time to create a gathering space for your guest in your patio or backyard by setting a table with fine linens and fresh flowers. Add some candles or lanterns to set a relaxing tone to the space and provide some light as the evening progresses. You don’t necessarily have to set up a full table with your finest china and silverware, unless you want to. But bringing out some linen napkins for guests to grab or using regular plates versus paper ones are a few details you can focus on to bring that touch of elegance to your party. If an elaborate meal is too much for you, plan for a simple menu but focus on your presentation. Now is the time to bust out your nice serving ware. Be creative with your centerpiece for your table or buffet area and try using what you already have at home. You don’t need to go and shop for summer or themed decor. Something as simple as a small wildflower arrangement or potted plant can go a long way to adding a little flare to your setup. The main point of a soirée is to have an evening where you and your guest can build community while enjoying the splendors of the night.
The summertime can certainly bring the heat, so planning an outdoor event can be intimidating. But don’t let the weather dampen the mood. Adapting to the weather can make planning fun. Bearing in mind the heat, consider providing refreshments that can keep everyone cool and plan for foods that aren’t too heavy. If you are looking to keep things simple consider a dessert soirée. Have guests bring refreshing desserts to share and provide some cold iced tea or lemonade served in some nice glassware for a touch of elegance. If you’re looking to get creative with cocktails, host a cocktail soiree and have everyone bring some finger foods and hors d'oeuvre to share. Try experimenting with seasonal summer flavors with your food and drink menu that is such to add to the summer vibes.
Last, and certainly not least, finish setting the mood with some background music. Create an environment that allows everyone to relax and unwind. Depending on your guest, find a selection you know will please all, but don’t be afraid to add a few different genres of music to the mix. You can never go wrong with jazz, perhaps making a selection of music that is elevated and a little out of the norm can be just another simple way to turn your soirée up a notch and for guests to enjoy something they don’t usually listen to. In the end, you are focused on curating an elevated experience for your guest to relax and mingle in. Make it your own and suit it to your taste and style. Make it as elaborate as you want, or keep it simple and focus on just a few key details to pizzazz it up a bit. Most importantly, have fun!
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