We all love a good party in Auckland, and the start of this millennium’s roaring 20s seems to be as good an excuse as any to up-scale our celebrations. Here are some tips and trends to help you host an outstanding dinner party this year.
Blue
You can’t go wrong with blue – especially in the form of more classic hues like baby, sky, navy, or denim. Whether you choose it as your accent colour or opt for monochromatic shades to appear throughout your décor, blue should be in your event’s colour palette. While it might be considered a ‘cold’ colour, it’s also known to be soothing and welcoming, which sets a nice tone for any event. It’s also the world’s most popular ‘favourite colour’ for both men and women, so at the very least, you’ll be making the majority of your guests very happy by using their favourite colour.
Sustainability
Sustainability is not just a trending word these days. Increasingly, companies and individuals alike are taking active steps to ensure higher levels of sustainability across the board. And parties are no exception. If you want to be a hit with your guests, make sure you source food and beverages from environmentally conscious producers. Companies like Babich Wines, which offers a great selection of New Zealand wine, ensure that all their wineries and vineyards follow sustainable practices like only growing grapes suitable to a given region and leaving their cultivated land in a better condition than what they found it in.
Going organic; thrifting décor pieces, cutlery, and crockery; and minimising food wastage through correct portion calculation and/or packaging leftovers and giving them to the needy are also all practices that are way on trend. Environmentally friendly packaging is also a big concern – whether it’s related to the packaging products you’re using for your party come in, or what you’re using to pack your gifts or leftovers in – materials that are reusable or biodegradable are definitely the way to go.
Active Engagement
Gone are the days when a dinner party only meant savouring delicious food. While eating is, of course, still a huge part of dinner parties, it’s simply not enough if you want to keep up with a changing society. More and more parties are boasting activities that actively engage guests. From menus that help guests to initiate conversations or learn something new about the world, the food they’re eating, or each other, to games that aid guests in finding their seat placements, interactivity is all the rage. And if activities are outdoors, even better. Consider including a nature walk, yoga, rock climbing, a drum circle, an outdoor treasure hunt, or any other kind of physical activity to get your guests moving. The aim is to have fun, be healthy, and interact with each other in new and daring ways.
Natural and Unique
If you’re going to be OTT and commercial with your décor or food presentations, you’re not going to make the list of trendiest parties this year. Rather, focus on minimalist décor, bohemian and nature-inspired accents, and sustainable and one-of-a-kind furnishings. You want clean lines, uncluttered spaces, and as many natural elements like water, plants, and wood, as possible to be on display. And if your furnishings and décor are locally sourced, all the better. Companies like Auckland’s own UltimateLiving will have you covered with their wide range of both international and local custom made furniture.
Inclusivity
Another buzz word that is gaining practical traction in the area of entertaining guests is how best to be inclusive of all those at an event. If you want to follow this wonderful trend of being equally warm and welcoming to all your guests, then look into offering dietary options that meet your guests’ requirements. Also aim for gender neutral themes and be sure that your venue and any activities are accessible for anyone who might have a disability.