A host's Party Closet is a highly personal and prized resource for entertaining. Learn tips on how to create and stock your Party Closet with linens, tablescape items, s
The Party Closet is one of the greatest assets of a good host. This entertaining resource could be as simple as a plastic storage crate in the basement filled with event decorations, or it could be as complex as an entire closet dedicated to storing party decorations, linens, tablescape items and seasonal decorations.
When you read Language of Entertaining, you learned that a Party Closet is a supply of entertaining goods. It should include linens, fabrics, theme pieces (silk flowers, marbles, etc), tablescape items, buffet levels, and/or ribbons. Anything is appropriate.
So, to help you get started creating your own Party Closet, let me tell you about mine. My party storage includes several large (the size of footlockers) plastic storage containers with tight fitting lids. For lack of a better location, I keep mine in the basement. As I accumulate additional party decorations, I can add more trunks and just keep stacking them on top of one another.
Here are a couple of key tips about the organization of the Party Closet
be diligent in labeling the exterior of the trunks with the event decorations and tablescape items that are included inside
organize the contents by theme or season (i.e. it makes more sense to have all of your Thanksgiving materials in the same trunk)
be diligent in storing the event decorations. Make sure that all party items are cleaned, mended and neatly folded before storing them. This will insure that your Party Closet is always ready to be used.
shop for your Party Closet items at seasonal clearance sales, where you can pick up great holiday decorations for a fraction of the normal price.
Here's what to include in your Party Closet:
Linens: basic linens should include washable, permanent press tablecloths in white, ivory and black. With these simple backdrops, you can create a multitude of tablescapes by layering your theme fabrics. If you want to expand your linen supply, add solid tablecloths in other key colors -- navy, red, royal blue.
Fabric: lengths of unhemmed fabric from the bargain bin. This can be used on the buffet, between or over different levels, layering over your solid tablecloths, or along the midline of the table as the basis for a tablescape. Look for seasonal or themed fabric. Lengths should be 2 - 3 yards, to make the fabric the most usable. If you are a seamstress, go ahead and hem the edges, although it isn't really necessary.
Buffet Levels: these are items that you use on the buffet to create varying heights. A stack of books or an upside down pot can serve as levels when they're covered with fabric. I use bricks of florist foam, wrapped in black plastic sheeting, as my standard level.
Ribbons: seasonal craft ribbon and wire-edged ribbons in an assortment of colors and textures. This group is easy to stock up on at discount prices, and it adds a lot of bang for the buck. Lengths of twisted ribbon, snaking through and around any given tablescape, create instant ambience.
Trinkets: this grouping is WIDE open, and could include gold coins, plastic beads, and plastic eggs for a start
Theme Paraphernalia: another WIDE open grouping which could include ANYTHING! I've got a pair of children's cowboy boots and a couple of cowboy hats (great for Western themes), Hawaiian leis, miniature bird nests, antique Brownie cameras, miniature faux pumpkins, papier mache lemons, a children's wooden train set, kids' blocks, miniature picture frames with easel backs (great for any theme with a simple swap of the photos), and crochet snowflakes, just to name a few! The key here is to collect ordinary items that could be used for decorative purposes.
Confetti: this could be store bought traditional confetti or the more exotic metallic theme-oriented sprinkles (often in neat shapes)
Silk flowers: pick these up on sale at your craft store. Easy to store, and versatile, a scattering of purple pansies might be all that your Springtime tablescape needs to come alive.
Use these suggestions to start your own Party Closet. If you have great ideas from your own Party Closet, drop me a line and let me know!
The copyright of the article Develop A Party Closet in Entertaining is owned by Janice Benoit. Permission to republish Develop A Party Closet in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
These are also good tips for any mother who puts on birthday parties,
family holiday meals, Halloween parties, etc. I have several bins filled
with Halloween, Easter, and Christmas items as well as a separate area for
silk flowers and another for linens. But I've been accumulating them for 35
years...
I wanted to add candles to your list of theme
decorations. There are the wax bunnies, Pilgrims, pumpkins or Christmas
trees, of course, but plain tapers and pillars in different colors are good
to have on hand. These are usually on sale after each holiday and can be
purchased inexpensively.
Apr 14, 2006 11:58 AM
Janice Benoit :
Bici -- you're absolutely right about the candles and congratulations to
you for noticing their absence in my Party Closet!
However,
after ruining many perfectly good candles when my Party Closet was in the
attic, I created separate candle storage nearer to my kitchen/dining room.
I'll cover this topic soon, when I delve into Tablescapes. Thanks for
reading! ~Janice
