November 5, 2007

Party on, dudettes

The party never stops for celebrity event mavens Lara Shriftman and Elizabeth Harrison, who have created a line of dishware and tableware in partnership with the Home Shopping Network. Called the Party Confidential Collection, the line features candles and crystal candlesticks, chic glassware, and stainless steel serving trays, perfect for those holiday soirees.

Shriftman and Harrison have kindly agreed to gift one Stylephile reader their TableTopics party game, which they call "the ultimate conversation starter".

The game comes in a chic Lucite cube, which contains 135 deceptively simple questions designed to spark great conversation at dinner parties. Like "will you meet me under the table?" Not really.

How to win: Simply leave a comment telling us your best home entertaining tip. Deadline is Monday Nov 12 at 5PM.

November 5, 2007 in OPENINGS/LAUNCHES | Permalink

Comments

Eat! Drink! Be Merry! If you do, your Guests always will!

Posted by francie | Nov 11 2007 7:54PM

everytime i have a party, i have a theme for my guests. nothing campy or costumey though. last year it was "blue and bling" and another was "red and shiny." so, guests would meet each other by asking each other (or pointing out) what their blue or their bling item was!

Posted by awlrain | Nov 9 2007 10:33AM

This isn't really my best tip but a few years ago when my husband was still living I had a Christmas party conflict - had to go to a work function but had guests coming in from out of town. He said don't worry. I came home to a clean house, hors d'oeuvres made and he handed me a glass of wine while I changed my clothes. It was a great early Christmas gift. My best advice - really plan to enjoy yourself - your friends pick up on the vibe and you have a great party.

Posted by Jouiss | Nov 7 2007 6:20PM

Be adventurous with the food – unconventional ingredients and pairings peak guests’ interests and get them conversing about food - surprising likes and dislikes are shared and opinions are exchanged! Trader Joe’s has a ton of fun and easy apps in their frozen and fridge area that will make great conversation-starters, or head to your neighborhood bistro or bakery café, most are able to pull together an inviting beautiful cheese plate with an assortment of fruit, nuts, spreads and crackers/breads. A few bottles of wine and you have the apps, mingling course managed!

Posted by butterfly ew | Nov 6 2007 4:33PM

Make as many things as possible ahead of time so you can enjoy your party with your guests. If you're trying new things do it a week before to make sure there are no surprises!

Posted by Erica | Nov 6 2007 3:00PM

Fewer chairs and chairs in groupings encourage mingling.

Posted by Erica | Nov 6 2007 2:58PM

I always find that it is best to have a little extra taxi money in case your guests have had a little too much to drink.

Posted by Karen U | Nov 6 2007 2:18PM

Best tip that I recently learned when hosting a dinner party: remembering to just have fun. You're amongst friends, and it wont help to freak out when tiny things go wrong because in the end, it's simply about being with friends.

Posted by pc | Nov 6 2007 11:38AM

I arrange seating in such a manner that they're in a sort of traingle when space will permit for the actual socializing ... not the dining segment of the evening.

Posted by Barbara | Nov 6 2007 11:25AM