Everyone loves to entertain but during the winter months that seems to be the last idea of a good night out. It’s cold, dark and no fun not being able to enjoy the outdoors like we were meant to. Winter is however still a time for friends and family.
Here are some ideas to make winter entertaining just as successful and fun as it would be during the summer months.
Where and how
If entertaining in your living area is out of the question you have to take it outside. Most of us have a patio or outside entertainment area where fond memories have been made sitting around the braai, sipping ice cold cocktails, but how do you “de-winter” your patio so it can be used all year round?
The more expensive option would be to install folding glass or wooden doors in order to have the patio closed up during the colder months. Should you not have the budget to splash out on a door (which I’m sure many of us don’t) try a less permanent and much cheaper fixture in the form of wooden or bamboo shades or outdoor blinds. These cut the cross winds and keep in the warmth. If you opt to go for canvas shades, the ones with the transparent plastic window have the bonus of not blocking out the view from your garden and allow for extra light and warmth to come in.
Inviting Decor
Apart from location, your furniture and decor needs to be “winter” friendly too and can either make or break the ambience of a room.
Warm Furniture
Your outdoor patio furniture, which is usually in wood or wrought iron for resilience, needs to have removable cushions that are comfy, cosy and made from warmer materials, such as wool, fleece and velvet.
Lighting
Lighting is a great mood enhancer and creates the feeling of warmth. Candles should also be used and scented ones in vanilla, cinnamon and coffee flavours conjure up the sense of a relaxed and welcoming smell.
Source of warmth
It may be obvious but if you have a fireplace – light it! If not ensure that there are heaters in place to keep your guests warm. Remember that a lot of bodies in a room also create body heat, so be careful that it does not become too unpleasantly warm for them after an hour or two.
That homely feel
Place knee blankets over each chair so that your guests will have the opportunity to feel at home should their ankles of legs get cold.
Enticing Food
Homemade soup makes a super starter.
For the main meal guests often want something warm and filling (we all know how much we LOVE to eat during the colder months). Curries, stews and casseroles work best, served with fillers like rice or potato.
Something hot, sticky and chocolaty drenched in warm custard for dessert is a sure winner.
Serve coffees, teas and hot chocolates in winter flavours such as orange spice or cinnamon.
Enjoyable Entertainment
If a formal sit down meal is not on the cards for your dinner party, why not make food part of the entertainment. Have a fondue evening or a make your own pancake evening. This is a great way to socialise while preparing food at the same time.
Invite your guests to an ugly sweater party, before they come around tell them to wear their most hideous winter woollen wear, whether it be a gift they received years ago or a 20 year old impulse buy that has been hanging in their wardrobe with the tags still attached. This will make for great conversation during the evening as each one gets to tell their story.
Tip to remember
Winter nights are longer and therefore daylight is short in supply, so try starting your dinner parties a little earlier than usual, or turn your activity into a late lunch. This will allow guests to enjoy themselves without the worry of having to cut the evening short and leaving early due to the cold.
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