PARTY LIKE IT’S 2020

Party like it’s

Event Designer Tyler Speier’s tips for intimate holiday gatherings

Written by Emma McDonnell | Photographed by Chris J. Evans

The holidays might look different this year but that doesn't mean the celebrations have to stop. To help you plan the perfect festive event, we spoke with soughtafter event designer and planner Tyler Speier on his tips, tricks, and advice for entertaining this season. From Zoom gatherings to gift deliveries, Tyler’s got you covered. So you can eat, drink, and be merry (while following CDC guidelines, of course).

What is your main advice, given the current climate, for celebrating this holiday season?

Keep it intimate! A smaller guest count than normal doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice the details. Think beautiful tiny outdoor dinner parties (thank goodness for the Santa Barbara climate), socially-distanced picnics, sunset sailing with wine and cheese (and a holiday cocktail!), and pay attention to the details to make those events extra special.

What are some trends that you foresee this season? I think we are going to see more people delivering gifts to their friends and loved ones (versus having a large party).

“Love, family, and friendship are not canceled—and we all need to celebrate making it through 2020!”

Think carefully curated gift boxes with bubbly, local eats, and locally-sourced gifts. Just because people are apart, doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate virtually together. Distribute some fun goodies to your loved ones and set up a Zoom call where you can “gather” digitally and celebrate the season. Love, family, and friendship are not canceled— and we all need to celebrate making it through 2020!

Since social gatherings will be much smaller this year, what are some pros of smaller parties?

My favorite thing about small events is that you get to have more meaningful conversations with each attendee, versus making small-talk with a large group of people. Also, because you aren’t spending as much money on hosting a large group of people, you can focus more on craft cocktails, a gourmet multi-course menu, a beautifully set table, and other details that make your gatherings extra special.

What adjustments have you made when planning events this year?

Since things seem to change weekly, we are working with our clients to remain positive, flexible, and ready to adapt however needed. In general, we’re planning things that are super intimate, outdoors, and with lots of special details. We also provide clients with virtual options, such as a Zoom link that guests can click on and participate if they don’t feel comfortable attending in person.

What inspires you when you are in the process of planning an event?

I love to start with the client’s story. If it’s a holiday event, I want to hear about their favorite holiday memories and family traditions. Was it a certain meal? Certain music? What memories make you truly feel the holiday spirit? From there, we curate a beautiful design that reflects their holiday experience and shares that with their guests.

What's the most important thing to remember when you entertain during the holidays?

Don’t put too much on your plate! If you come up with a beautiful plan but you don’t delegate the work, you will be so busy hosting you won’t actually enjoy the experience. So delegate, support local small businesses, and enjoy yourself. You deserve it. We all do, after this crazy year!

How do you set the perfect holiday table?

I always incorporate the following into a holiday table set-up: 1. Lots of candles 2. Fine china, glassware, and flatware (tip: rent your table set-up so you don’t have to wash everything) 3. Lots of greenery and/or flowers 4. A setting is so much more than what’s on the table.

What’s around the table is important. Decorate the fireplace mantle, that light fixture, the dining room shelf, etc. Create an atmosphere versus a setting.

How can you make a centerpiece special and unique?

Creating centerpieces is one of my favorite things to do. Beautiful flowers and greenery elevate any entertaining experience. I recommend using more than twelve different varieties of greenery and flowers—this gives a lot of natural texture. I also love adding fruit to any holiday table. Work in pomegranates, plums, blood oranges, apples, brown pears, etc. to give color and texture to the table.

What is your go-to holiday drink?

Anything with pomegranate!

What is your favorite holiday memory?

My first Christmas as a parent. Seeing the magic and wonder of the holidays in my children’s eyes brings me goosebumps each year. *

tylerspeier.com

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