Fandango Catering Offers 4 Tips for Successful Small Parties

This is the year when the small casual party or gathering has boomed, parties with 35 people or less.  As the economy improves, small groups are gathering for every type of occasion--an open house, a wine or whiskey tasting, a shower, a birthday party, you name it.  Today we offer 4 tips to make your small gathering successful.

Even if it's a small group, have a theme--Themes are not just for weddings, fundraisers, or corporate conferences anymore.  It's fun and makes planning easier if you choose a theme for your small event.  Theme doesn't mean cheesy--think stylish and fun.

Two themes we've done recently for small gatherings were tropical and Spanish.  The tropical was a shower hosted by a bride's aunt and uncle, our longtime clients and whose home we know well because we've cooked/catered there over the years.  They had just added a deck and beautiful pergola, and their home is historic, so we transformed the backyard into a lovely tropical grotto and put tropical leaves and flowers on all the silver trays (the hosts wanted silver trays), so it was a wonderful mix of historic and tropical/fun with yellow and teal. The Spanish theme was the opposite, at a very mod high rise and the food, Spanish avant-garde art, and even the wine tasting and cheese board kept to the theme.

Look for one or more signature serving trays--The signature serving piece trend continues and is much easier to pull off with a small group.  We find great pieces at department stores for small events.  Avoid online shopping for this as porcelain, especially, looks cheap and cracks easily if it's not a substantial weight, and you can't tell the weight or sheen online.

Add one "cool" touch--With just one small "cool" touch you really make your small gathering.  At a party we did this year the hosts put out a large Asian statue flanked by small Asian jars with little bouquets on the buffet (dinner) table, and the guests kept saying how cool it looked.  The idea is to put out something unexpected, but not funky--striped straws, little bouquets, an unusual statue or pottery, monogrammed napkins, decorative little plates...Something cool.

If you have access to a yard, terrace, or courtyard, use it--Many small parties are in small home spaces nowadays, and people can feel cramped in these smallish homes.  Open to the outside or reserve a terrace, courtyard, pool, or other such area at your building and your guests will enjoy themselves more.  Especially now as the weather is so nice!

Warmly,

Kristina

Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com