5 Ingredients to Make Any Party Memorable

I’m going to share a secret with you that I learned several years ago. I was helping set up for my sister’s wedding reception, and the event planner taught us that in order to make any party or event memorable, there was a little trick. That trick? Remember to do something for each one of your senses and your event will feel cohesive, inviting, and successful.

When you host a party or event, you’re trying to create a feeling and experience, not just a venue. So let’s talk about each of the senses for a minute, but before we do, think about a party or event you attended that stands out in your mind. As we talk about each sense, identify what the hostess did to engage each of your senses.

1. Sight. What the party looks like is important. If you ran out of time and didn’t put up any decorations or if you didn’t get the chance to wipe the inch of dust off your shelves, chances are someone is going to notice and that may become their memory of your party. Take the time to get the details right so things are visually appealing. For my upcoming Cookie Exchange, I made sure to pull out all my decorations well in advance and get things set up the way I liked them. Create an open space that invites your guests to mingle and socialize while staying in a festive mood.
2. Smell. What smells would you associate with your event? If it’s a Christmas party, gingerbread, cinnamon, or Under the Mistletoe (one of Glade’s newest scents only available at Target) might be the right choice. What you don’t want associated with your party is the garbage can, the smell of the heater running, or the dinner you burned–again. Instead you want them to create an unforgettable holiday memory tied to the smell of fresh berries (since you’ve used berries in your decor).
3. Taste. Every party needs food, right? Themed snacks are fun, but anything tasty and well-prepared that falls in line with your objective is a good choice. Obviously a Cookie Exchange will have lots of cookies, but you may also want to include a few chocolates, something to drink, and perhaps even something savory to balance out all the sweet.
4. Touch. This one can be a little less direct in some cases, but it’s still important. Since I sew, I like to think of touch in terms of fabrics and textural choices. For example, we all know the texture of pine needles–prickly and spiny. Pair that with satiny ribbon, sparkly ornaments, rough burlap, and smooth round berries, and you have a great combination of texture. And even if you don’t physically touch all of those things, you are mentally touching and feeling through your experience with each texture.
5. Sound. Pull out your phone or your favorite playlist, and get the party started! If you don’t already have a favorite Christmas playlist, you can download Glade’s holiday song by Kevin Ross, “This Is My Wish” for free at http://clvr.li/gladewish.

Makes sense doesn’t it? Whether we’re eating at a restaurant or attending a football game, all our senses are engaged when we attend a memorable or extraordinary party or event. 

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.