Spending time with family and friends is important for your well-being. You may find yourself in a rut where you work and come home and get caught up in the daily grind of either cleaning, cooking, tending to kids, or sitting alone and becoming lost in your thoughts. Conversation and camaraderie are important to help you feel balanced and relaxed.
When it comes to gathering with friends and family, you might feel a little lost on how to get a larger group together comfortably. Not everyone wants to catch up in a noisy restaurant while sitting in stiff chairs around a table. What type of options do you have?
What Makes a Space Feel Warm and Inviting?
Whether you are reserving a place at an existing establishment or hosting people at your house, there are a few things that you should keep in mind to make the space feel comfortable and cozy.
Fireplaces with a floating mantel create an appeasing aesthetic feel to a space. The warm log crackling and the blazing fire creates and ambiance that many people appreciate. Plenty of rental rooms, wineries, breweries, and homes have fireplaces. If you do not have one in your home, don’t worry. You can still create a wonderful ambiance.
Comfortable seating and soft textiles also create a cozy space. If you find a rental place with couches, chairs, and table cloths on any formal sitting spaces, this would really create an appealing space for your group to gather. In your home, you will already have a comfortable sofa and chairs. Simply throw a nice table cloth on your table and put a few decorative throw pillows on your couches and chairs. Light the fireplace or incorporate some wall sconce candles if you do not have a fireplace. These will mimic the warm glow and cozy up the space.
Kitchens should be light and bright. The saying “less is more” stands true in a kitchen. When hosting guests, clear any countertop clutter away and limit the items you do have out. This will leave room for snacks and beverages. Add a nice candlelit centerpiece to your dining room table and dim the lights a bit in the family room if you have a warm fire roaring or wall-mounted candles lit. This will make that space more relaxing. It does not matter if you are going out on the town with your loved ones or staying in, make the most out of the time and create lasting memories. You will feel yourself instantly at peace while you mingle and reconnect with everyone.
Find a Comfortable Place to Gather
If you absolutely do not have space in your home to accommodate a large group of friends and family, then you will need to find an establishment that is comfortable and relaxing. You will need to take your guests into consideration prior to finding a place and reserving a space. If children are going to be present, you will need to make sure the establishment is child-friendly and has activities for children. If children will not be present, then the options are a bit more expansive.
Many new microbreweries and wineries offer comfortable seating as well as table games. They also have food trucks or encourage patrons to bring their own food. This is a great way to establish a pot luck with your favorite people in a comfortable setting. You will be able to partake in games and conversation and not worry about cleaning up your home before or afterward.
If you do not have a brewery or winery that offers this type of comfortable gathering space, then you still have a lot of fantastic options. You can rent a party room. Many park districts or churches offer these types of spaces. The setting may not be as warm and inviting, but the space will be accommodating.
Host at Your Home
If you have enough space in your home, you might want to just host friends and family yourself. Encourage everyone to bring a dish to share or a dessert to share. You can have a pizza party and ask for guests to bring a little money to pitch in for pizza if you would rather not have a pot luck. This is an inexpensive way to feed a large group of people. It is also acceptable to tell guests that you will provide coffee and water, but beyond that, they will need to bring their own beverages of choice. Set out a few card games or board games and make the space feel warm and inviting. Everyone will feel comfortable and at ease while they sit back and relax in your living room or family room.