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Smart ways to get the dinner party mood just right
Dinner parties are a great excuse to gather friends, drink wine and eat good food, but they don’t always have to be stressful! So here’s our no-stress, plan-ahead, you-can-do-it guide to throwing a dinner party – with a little help from our smart tech.
Set your mood lighting
Setting the scene can really help set the mood in your home, and lighting is one of the easiest ways to do it. Ease your way into the evening and adjust the colour, level and warmth of your lights – with a simple tap of the Hive app.
Find out about Hive Colour Changing Light bulbs
When to play what music
Not everyone wants to listen to Kenny G and Cher. Which is why dinner party music is a difficult one to get right. The trick is to determine your songs based on the time of night. Here’s a few tips on what to play and when.
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In the first hour…
Play chilled tunes, something you’d enjoy hearing in the background, that’s not too intrusive.
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As the night goes on…
Begin introducing songs that will get your guests dancing in their chairs.
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When the night draws to a close…
Start playing soft, mellow tunes that suggest it’s time to grab your coats.
Choose a playlist with Alexa
For those of you who aren’t keen on curating your own playlist – Spotify have done the hard work for you. Sync your smart tech with Alexa, and use it to flick between our favourite dinner party playlists:
Find out about Hive and Alexa
Turn your slow cooker on from work
Unless you’re a Michelin star chef by day, it’s never a good idea to be over ambitious. So why not opt for a slow cooked option? Not only are the meals delicious, they’re also ridiculously easy to make. And with Hive, you can turn the cooker on using your phone.
So if your Beef Stroganoff needs a hearty 6 hours, or Coq-Au-Vin needs time to soak up the stock, turn the slow cooker on whilst you’re at work, and come home to a perfectly cooked meal – just in time for your guests to arrive.
Find out about Hive Active Plug
Don’t forget the little details
It’s easy to spend time fussing over your spread. But don’t forget about the little things that make the party go with a swing, like adding place cards, laying the table and checking those last-minute details around your home.
Enjoy it
Perhaps the most important of all – enjoy it! If you’re running around like a headless chicken, chances are your guests will also feel the stress. The truth is, no one will notice if the casserole is uneven, or the drinks don’t come in right glasses. Your guests are there for the flowing conversation, great homemade food and tasty tipples.