Entertaining pros share how to make your next event unforgettable.
These are the decor, food, andbeverage trendsthat experts say will be big in 2024.
Gone are the days when you relied solely on flowers and a menu to add life to a tablescape.
Credit:David Tsay
Dont overcomplicate the glassware and pass on using chargers.
Sustainable Decor
Sustainability extends beyond whats on the plate and onto the table itself.
Requests for decorations that can be reused or composted are trending, Davis says.
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Or heirloom china keeping company with decor items from Target.
The high-low mix and sharing of snap-your-fingers Amazon-esque resources makes for effortless hospitality.
More and more people are using them to embrace arches and entryways and for selfie backdrops.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
At gatherings, well be seeing mood-lifting hues that let everyone know theyve arrived at an exciting party.
One coloron every forecasters list: Blue.
Its also an easy hue to incorporate in your entertaining decor.
Credit: Victoria Pearson
Add to that wooden or bamboo table runners that infuse the air with a refreshing botanical aroma.
Moroccan-inspired decor elements, such as hanging fabrics and lanterns, will be popular in 2024, adds Cloud.
A bigger party isnt always a better party, Davis says.
Credit: Jacob Fox
Having to include every friend from the neighborhood or allowing everyone a plus one is no longer a thing.
Consider blind wine tastings, charades or board games like couple-friendly Sequence or Cards Against Humanity, Price suggests.
Garden seeds are gifts that keep on giving.
Hosts can purchase indoor grills for all-year, all-weather get-togethers.
They require minimal planning and are relatively inexpensive to pull off, Reimold says.
Boutique bitters, no-headache bubbles, refreshing, guilt-free liquorswhat’s not to love about mocktails?
After dinner, canned cocktails can be enjoyed on their own or alongside a dessert.
On the bottom shelf, place drinkware like shatterproof acrylic wine glasses and colorful tumblers.
Martini Moments
Considered a timeless classic,martinisare experiencing a renaissance marked by innovation and creativity.
Think aperitifs like aperol spritzes and capritinis, says Charlie Palmer, owner and chef at AperiBar.
Bubbles
Bubbles are replacing still winesand not only at festive meals.
Bubbly pairs well with salmon, sashimi and sushi.
A fusion menu often blends cultural foods in new and interesting ways, Culver says.
Think a macaroni and cheese samosa or a kimchi-topped pizza.
Hosts will be leaning into themes, boards and platters that revolve around seasons, holidays and sporting events.
Interactive food keeps guests entertained while doubling as visual eye candy, Price says.
Opting for food stations as opposed to formal plating allows hosts to spend more time with their guests.
Artisanal Meats
Our love of all things Americana is driving the artisanal meat trend.
Think the gold rush, the wild west, wide open spaces, Yellowstone, Clark says.
Artisanal choices like bison and buffalo along with hors doeuvres like bone marrow shooters feel fresh and unique.
Think caviar, uni, and Krug at a Sundaypool party.
Or, oysters and champagne on the beach while watching the sunset.
Or, a laidback picnic in the park with a great sauternes like a Chateau d’Yquem.
All of these moments punctuate a great day in the company of those you care about.
Think salt before a tequila shot.
While adopting a plant-based diet, were doing our part and taking small steps towards a better future.
Classic Comfort Foods
Elevatedold-school food stapleswill be trending in 2024.
Along with Italian custard paired with roasted bananas and chocolate fondente.
The juxtaposition is surprising, yet delightful.
And obviously, delicious to boot.
Including a collaborative element to the display keeps guests entertained and impressed, Cloud says.
Think sesame seed chocolate chip cookies, vanilla ice cream with sesame caramel and brownies with chunks of halvah.
