Thank you to Dixie for sponsoring this post. Crush the fall with Dixie® To Go, the official cup for crushing it.
The weather might be cooling down, but I find that this is actually one of the best times of the year to entertain. There’s lots of festive decor in stores right now, and the chilly temps mean it’s a great time to bring people together to enjoy some warm food and good company (as if we needed an excuse!…).
I love hosting almost any gathering but find that fall is a particularly fitting season for a group brunch. After all, it’s the perfect occasion to break out the hot cider and donuts, right?
So what are you waiting for? Take advantage of the season — and the fact that people are still willing to get out of the house and go outside.
Here are a few must-know tips for a successful fall fiesta to get you started:
1. put a theme on it
*Cue ‘Single Ladies’ audio*
If you like the idea of hosting a get together, you better think about putting a theme on it! As trivial as it may sound, a theme can make or break a gathering. It’s a telltale sign of how much effort and thought the host put into a party, and coming up with a solid theme is one of the best ways to show off your creativity and event planning skills. Don’t let the idea of coming up with a themed get together intimidate you though. For hosting a fall brunch, it’s as simple as picking up a bag of mini gourds for decor and curating a selection of festive snacks for your guests. Some of my favorites are:
- Hot cider with cinnamon sticks
- Apples (Bonus: Turn this into a fun pre-party activity by going apple picking with a few gal pals or your SO!)
- Dipping caramel
- Pumpkin cream cheese and bagels
- Fresh donuts
2. provide options
There’s nothing I love more than going to a party where there are some options. Have you seen the different food bars on Pinterest that people set up? We did a candy bar for my 16th birthday, and it was a huge hit. I like to replicate this idea when I’m hosting events, but still keep it in line with my overall theme. For a fall brunch, one of my favorite ways to provide my guests with some options (and entertainment) is to set up a caramel apple bar. Apples are pre-cut and there is soft caramel for dipping along with a few other options like crushed Oreos and sprinkles. It’s very easy to both set up and clean up, while also looking super impressive!
3. keep it simple, stupid
Instead of focusing on slaving away in the kitchen all morning or going way over budget on flashy decor, keep it simple! One themed table with a cute (maybe even DIY) banner, some kind of food bar, and a few other festive eats and drinks is plenty. Set it up so that it’s aesthetically pleasing (we all love a good Insta worthy gathering), and call it a day. You shouldn’t have to do too much prep other than laying out the spread!
4. Make cleanup easy
Setting up for brunch shouldn’t take too long. Clean up on the other hand though? That can be the worst part of hosting a get together…but it doesn’t have to be. That’s where Dixie® To Go cups come into play. They require no effort, no cleanup, and no worries, which leaves you more time to focus on the things that matter. They also have leak-resistant lids and an insulated layer for the best on-the-go experience. This makes hosting brunch so much easier, because you never have to worry about any coffee or cider spills! It’s also less dishes for you to clean up and allows your guests to take warm beverages to go. And let’s be honest, everybody loves a good to go when they’re leaving a party.
5. think about your entertainment
Of all the parties I’ve been to, my favorites have always been those in which the host has thought about how to entertain the guests. You don’t need to go overboard, but make sure that you have an idea of how you want this event you’re planning to go down. I like to hone my party playlist the night before (keeping it in line with my overall theme, of course) and set out a few board games or activities to make sure that people have something to do. I never like to keep the TV on (unless that’s fitting with the theme of the event — like a Superbowl party, for example), because it gives people a reason not to talk to each other and socialize, which is what having a get together is all about!
So, what do you think about hosting a fall brunch? Any party planning tips I missed? Let me know in the comments!
I was selected for this paid opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here expressed here are all my own.
