Make it memorable
Lunar New Year is right around the corner, which means one thing: entertaining season is back in full swing. While having visitors over — be they friends, families, or colleagues — is the best way to celebrate this special time of the year, pulling off an effortless get-together does actually require some planning and savvy hosting tips.
If you’re not quite sure where to start, read on — we’ve rounded up a few ideas for a smooth reunion that doesn’t compromise on style and sophistication, and is set to make you the host(ess) with the mostest.
GET CREATIVE WITH YOUR TABLE SETTING
Forget what you think are the rules of a “proper” table setting. Your party, your flair. Pick tablecloths and dinnerware that speak to you and show off your personality, from textured bowls and patterned plates to colorful napkins and vintage-inspired glasses. Guests will appreciate the uniqueness, and will remember your dinner more than just another run-of-the-mill affair.
If you want to make an extra-special impression, an enchanting centerpiece of flowers, shrubs, or mood-setting candles is a sure way to make your festive feast shine.
SPRUCE UP YOUR HOME
Even though the meal is the focus, pay attention to the rest of your space. Set the mood for a warm and inviting atmosphere with scented candles, like the heavenly Sweet Jasmine Scented Candle from RITUALS, and elevate the ambience with fresh flowers, seasonal plants, and music playing throughout. Have an entryway where guests can leave their coats? Decorate it with some lanterns to create a pretty moment when they enter.
More importantly, get your upholstery cleaned, fluff your cushions and throw away old magazines. A simple rearrangement can do wonders to give your home a welcoming vibe.
FOR DRINKS, TRUST THE CLASSICS — BUT MAKE THEM FESTIVE
Red wine, bubbles, whiskey, and baijiu are all staples of a good Lunar New Year reunion. But rather than getting out the ones you’ve had in your drinks cabinet since last year, invest in a few festive bottles specially created to welcome the Year of the Tiger.
Hennessy V.S.O.P Lunar New Year Limited Edition, Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Tiger, Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut NV Lunar New Year Limited Edition, and National Cellar 1573 are all excellent choices to start. Looking for an impressive gift set to give your loved ones at the end of the meal? Then Penfolds Bin 389 Lunar New Year Gift Pack might just do the trick. With the numbers on the packaging highlighting new beginnings (3), good fortune and prosperity (8), and long- lasting life and luck (9), it’s the most auspicious Cabernet Shiraz.
KEEP THE MENU SIMPLE AND ELEGANT
Save yourself last-minute stress by planning and making ahead. If you want to stray away from the traditional Lunar New Year menu, look for crowd-friendly recipes — small bites and hors d’oeuvres are always a chic idea — and dishes that can be prepared 24 hours in advance. When your visitors arrive, you can mingle with them rather than be stuck in the kitchen.
Skipping a seated dinner for a more informal, buffet-style gathering? Then serve foods that are delicious whether they’re hot, room temperature, or even cold, so people can go back to them at any point during the evening.
Lastly, whether you’re going contemporary, fusion, or Western-style, make sure there are noodles and dumplings to end with — they’re a must, whatever the culinary theme.
SEND YOUR GUESTS OFF WITH SHAREABLE TREATS
At the end of the night, there’s no better way to send your loved ones home than with a token of your appreciation for them. A nicely crafted goody bag will make your reunion truly stand out, as it’ll create a personalized experience for your guests and fond memories of your hosting.
Shareable gifts like chocolates, snacks, and sweet or savory bites are the way to go — as long as they’re luxuriously special, of course. The Godiva Chinese New Year Limited Edition Gift Box is a fine example, as is the classic Lindt Swiss Thins Dark. For friends who don’t like chocolate, try Minamoto Matcha Mochi or Cocoparadise’s Coco-Honey Cashew Bites: indulgent, delicious, and fun, they’re the treats they didn’t know they needed, but won’t be able to live without once they try them. Parents and grandparents, on the other hand, will be pleased with bespoke condiments like XO Chilli Sauce and infusions like Rose Black Tea, both from Peninsula Boutique.
