Minimise stress by starting to plan your party early and sharing the to-do list. Send out invitations with ‘tasks’. Our host went for deco and got help with the refreshments simply by asking guests to bring a couple of their favourite tapas and drinks. This leaves the host plenty of time to prepare the theme. It doesn’t matter if everyone brings the same thing, the point is to spend time together rather than striving for perfection.

As the food will be a surprise we went for a modern, light setting that will work with everything. Go for simple deco. Thread a bauble round a napkin for a stylish yet festive place setting. Cover a dried branch with eucalyptus and decorate it with an LED lighting chain for an inviting, cosy atmosphere. Make a feature window by stacking different star lamp shades one on top of the other. Easy-peasy!

As guests drop in, prepare the buffet table together then let people mingle. Just put out some tableware and empty bowls for those who brought their dishes in containers or disposables (because hand on heart, how fun is it to have plastic tubs all over your beautiful table?). Then relax, breathe in all the good smells and enjoy eating and drinking your friends’ favourites.

Create a ‘serving station’ for all the drinks your guests brought. Use a table or a cabinet you have at home. We went for a big ‘bar cabinet’ with glass doors (this one is called FABRIKÖR). Then everyone can easily serve themselves during the evening and the host doesn’t have to run around filling glasses.

We love to see our customers get creative with our products. Go for it! But please note that altering or modifying IKEA products so they can no longer be re-sold or used for their original purpose, means the IKEA commercial guarantees and your right to return the products will be lost.

Made by
Interior designer: Anna Cardell
Photographer: Mats Ekdahl
Writer: Anna Blom