The Future of Entertaining
Hosting friends and family looks much different today than it did a couple of decades ago.
You’d be hard-pressed to find formal tablecloths, special china, and perfectly-timed four-course meals at most dinner parties nowadays, though these elements dominated the entertaining and hosting scene not too long ago. Young adults have shifted hosting styles to fit with their lifestyle and preferences, and they’re not the only ones changing the game plan for how to have people over.
Casual, But Curated
Cloth napkins, polished silverware, and extravagant outfits don’t find much of a place in today’s dinner parties. But that doesn’t mean they’re not well thought-out and carefully planned. Instead of spending energy and money on formalities and making a gathering feel “fancy,” hosts instead spend their time on carefully curated playlists, guest lists, and sometimes activities like games, cooking, or crafts.
It’s common to begin with the desired feeling in mind when planning a get-together, and seldom is that desired feeling one of refinement or high-class impressions anymore. There’s more emphasis on people’s comfort and on connecting with one another over a meal or a game, so the thoughtfulness of hosts hovers more specifically around that effort.
Collective Cooking
While it used to be common for hosts to provide everything needed for a dinner party, from appetizers and main courses to desserts and drinks, nowadays there’s often a more collaborative effort in the kitchen. Friends might gather early so that they can all cook a meal together before eating, and play a role in creating the dishes that act as a focal point for the gathering.
For example, friends might come together to make their own dumplings, or cook pasta from scratch, or learn to make arepas, all of which establish a sort of theme for the evening as a whole. Instead of the act of eating being the only main event, there’s a sharing in the labor and also a learning aspect for multi-step recipes that might have otherwise felt overwhelming for just the host to pull off. The whole party gets to bond over the teamwork of cooking, and might even learn to make something new!
Aside from splitting the labor and reducing the time demand for cooking something out of the ordinary or from scratch, dinner parties also lean more potluck-style now. Offering to host a get-together is no longer a show of wealth, and guests generally plan to bring a course or a beverage along if they’re attending a food-centered gathering. In addition to offsetting costs for the host, this also allows for everyone to share a bit of their tastes and personality at these gatherings, even if they can’t host at their own homes.
Comfort in Outdoor Spaces
The recent health crisis has turned many of us towards outdoor gatherings. Some climates make this easier than others, but because of the lower likelihood of viral spread outside, countless groups of friends now default to outdoor hangouts when possible.
Plus, during lockdown, a wave of homeowners began to focus on creating an at-home outdoor oasis in order to create a nice place to take in some fresh air without breaking any rules or taking risks. Home improvement projects also saw a sharp increase with social lives taking a hit and people having more time on their hands for housework. Although there’s hope for less rigid requirements for spending time together, many people may feel most comfortable outdoors for a while - and many homeowners are excited to flaunt their outdoor entertaining spaces!
Despite the shifts in focus and norms, hosting parties and gathering friends feels more central to our lifestyles now than ever. Friendship and food will never go out of style.
If you’re ready to build the home of your dreams and live out the future you’ve been waiting for with your family, get in touch with the experts at Atmos today.
