Fall Fête Cocktail Hour

At one time, hosting a cocktail party may have been one of the more daunting tasks on your to-do list (Hors d’oeuvres! A satin dress! Cut glass!) Thankfully, the art of entertaining has evolved. What once was stuffy has turned into chic, easy effortlessness. Above all, the priority lies in ensuring guests a great time. And with a little bit of planning, a beautifully executed cocktail party doesn’t have to be complicated. From the stoneware to the cocktail glasses, we’re ushering in a new kind of fall fête, one of simplicity, and when done right, your guests just may stay all night.

Hey DJ!

One of the greatest ways to surprise (and delight!) guests is with an undeniably upbeat playlist—but make it transcend the decades. A mix of soul, classic rock, 80s dance jams, and modern-day favorites are sure to keep the mood light and the party going. Curate the playlist so that it’s a few hours long, and only has the potential to restart once.

Cocktail O’Clock

We love an Aperol spritz as much as anyone, but if you’re set on surprising your guests (and we think you are), mix the spritz! Try a twist on the traditional with one of these recipes, like a Cynar, ginger, or a spiced cherry spritz. Feeling extra fizzy? Try a Champagne cocktail and kick the party up a notch. The key here, at this impeccable soirée of yours, is to keep guests mingling well into the night. Put a flavorful cocktail in their hand and send them off to start a dance party.

Snack Substantially

As the host, you have a responsibility: Keep guests satiated enough so that they don’t go running out the door after an hour in favor of a three-course meal. A spread of sliced charcuterie, figs, pickled vegetables, and chocolates served on a gorgeous wooden cutting board will do just fine, but try swapping out cheeses for the light, crispy, and flavorful kick of new Stacy’s Cheese Petites™. They’ve got six grams of protein and are an easy-to-eat cheese-forward snack (it’s the first ingredient)—and they come in Romano with Garlic & Pepper and Parmesan with Rosemary. For a limited time, snag 20% off with the promotion code we found at stacyssnacks.com.

Forget the Fine China

There’s nothing wrong with the china you received as a wedding gift (and have yet to open), or the set you inherited from your grandma—no doubt it’s gorgeous—it’s just that handcrafted ceramic dishes lend an easy, effortless touch to every party. They can be ultra-sleek in all black or rustic with a stately finish. Choose stoneware in varying shapes and sizes for added interest, and don’t be afraid to break the mold with a color-coordinating ceramic pitcher or serving bowl.

Thanks a Latte

Relocating the party? Need to keep the energy up? Trade the standard end-of-night coffee service for a tray of matcha lattes. There’s less caffeine in matcha than there is in coffee, especially if you’re mixing it with milk, so it will give guests a lift without sending them wide-eyed into the wee hours of the night. Plus, matcha contains higher levels of antioxidants, fiber, and nutrients not found in coffee, so think of it as giving your guests a wellness boost on their way out the door.