photo by: wili_hybrid Flickr Creative Commons
The holidays may be the only time of year when you see so many of your friends and family together in one place. Sure, you read all the home decorating blogs, no one has ever complained about your fabulous cooking and everyone loves your choice in music. But while you may consider yourself a seasoned entertainer, you may have not thought of everything about hosting a large gathering at your apartment clubhouse or rental home. Check out the tips below to make sure you have everything covered.
Make space
Even if you do not have much to work with, you can alter your rooms or clubhouse to use space in a smart way. For example, in your living room, get rid of your coffee table so that people have room to stand, mix and mingle. If you have no place to store your coffee table, move it over to the side and put some cushions on it, repurposing it as additional seating.
If your home or clubhouse has a patio, use it. If it is cold, you can rent portable gas lamps and put folding tables outside for a cozy gathering al fresco. If it is comfortable, most people prefer to hang out outside. Set up a buffet-style meal, where the kitchen counters become the food zone. Let guests fill up their plates, and then plop down in the adjacent room or patio.
Don't hide your trash can
If you normally hide your trash can discreetly in a clever kitchen cupboard, now is the time to let it hang out in plain sight. No one should have to ask; "Where you put your trash?" Depending on how large your group is, you may need to have more than one trash bin. Clearly mark your trash cans, and for recycle bins, indicate what items go where.
Accommodate all guests
If you don't want smokers flicking their cigarette butts on your rental property or depositing their ashes in drinking cans, you will need to make sure that they have ash trays. Use make-shift ashtrays if you have to, but make sure that they have something to use when they grab their smokes. If you know anyone else with special needs that will be attending your holiday party think ahead and plan accordingly.
Get restrooms ready
Restrooms can get crowded at large events in a house. If you are using your apartment community's clubhouse, you will probably have adequate restrooms to accommodate your guests. If you are entertaining a large group of people in your rental house, you may consider opening up your personal bathroom, the one connected to your bedroom which no one usually sees. To avoid embarrassing situations, stock plenty of spare rolls of toilet paper in your restrooms. You'd be surprised how much toilet paper guests can tear through.
Keep kids entertained
The best way to fully enjoy the company of your adult friends and family is to keep the kids at bay. Provide the little ones with plenty of things to do. If you think well enough in advance, you could stage a somewhat elaborate treasure hunt in the courtyard with maps, puzzles and clues to keep them busy. You can also designate a "kid" room, complete with movies and games.
If you keep everyone's basic comfort in mind, you can easily transform your home into a holiday banquet hall that is fit to accommodate your large crowd.
April Lentini writes for apartmentguide.com
