How to Host a Last-Minute Soirée

by Natasha Wolff | December 14, 2015 4:01 pm

Still haven’t gotten around to organizing a holiday party? Turns out, you don’t actually need months of prep time to throw a memorable event—you just need to be clever. 

If the thought of prepping your home for 75 nosey guests is enough to give you a panic attack, save yourself the stress and book a hotel suite instead. Many properties are open to renting out their largest suites for parties. 

A suite at The Tuscany Hotel

New York City’s The Tuscany Hotel[1], for instance, frequently hosts private events in its sprawling 17^th floor penthouse[2]. The suite offers 360-degree views of the city from an 1,800 square-foot terrace that can be outfitted with heat lamps for winter parties. “A penthouse gives you a much more intimate feel,” explains Danielle Howell, a former event planner who now oversees The Tuscany’s private party clients. “It gives you the warmth of an apartment, with less work involved. We do everything for you.” 

A rooftop terrace at The Tuscany Hotel

Hotels like The Tuscany typically offer extras like set up and clean up to make last-minute preparation easier. Howell also suggests thinking about dates after Christmas and New Year’s, when the venues—and your guests—will have greater availability. 

Another tried-and-true strategy for short turnaround time? Hire a caterer. While it may be tempting to assemble your own cheese plate and charcuterie, last minute events are best left to the experts. “Go for the boutique, humble companies that value your business and will go the extra mile,” suggests Red Table Catering[3] founder Brooke Costello. “Look at their food online, taste it in person, meet your vendor and create a common vision. Then relax and let the pros produce for you. The smaller companies may seem casual but those are the guys that deliver big, powerful, professional service ​with a smile.”

Source URL: https://dujour.com/life/holiday-party-planning-tips/