How-To: Host a Casual Fall Party in Your Living Room!

If you are like us, you probably think “fall” and “cozy” are synonymous, right? Apart from Thanksgiving with its grand table setting and sumptuous menu, we believe autumn is the perfect season for intimate, at-home gatherings. Nothing fancy or formal. Think of a casual get-together around the living room coffee table, with everyone sitting on the couch, bean bags, or floor pillows—helping themselves to savory bites, favorite snacks and sweet goodies, along with piping hot coffee and tea. Read on for our tips on fall at-home entertaining made easy. Just the thing for the coziest season of all!

Provide Comfy Seating for Guests to Gather Round

Casual Fall Party in Your Living Room // Styled Shoot by Bellenza

Present an inviting setting, perfect for relaxing and chatting for hours. Pile the living room couch or sofa with throw pillows, and perhaps a warm throw or quilt. Then, pull up armchairs, bean bags, ottomans or floor pillows so that your food and drinks spread will be right within everyone’s reach!

Set Out an Enticing Food Spread

Food spread for fall living room entertaining // styled shoot by Bellenza

Remember, this is a no fuss gathering! So just clear your living room coffee table to set up a food spread for guests to choose from. Depending on your personal choice (or what you already have on hand!), you could prepare a cheese, nuts and fruits board served with wine. Or maybe a fondue service offering a choice of crusty breads to dip in melted cheese, along with fresh fruit chunks to dunk in chocolate sauce.

You could also fill glass and wooden bowls with your favorite munchies, like chips, nuts, trail mix and dried fruits. While for something sweet, offer slices of apple or pumpkin pie, muffins, or berry tarts. All accompanied by pots of freshly brewed coffee and tea, or mugs of hot chocolate.

Light Up the Scene with DIY Candlescapes

Glass votive centerpieces for fall // styled shoot by Bellenza

Cast a golden glow on the party scene with candlescapes you’ve made yourself! On the coffee table, group together DIY candle holders made from recycled bottles and jars. Place these candles on a rattan charger and decorate with rustic touches. Then, on a side table, assemble a trio of pillar candles nestled on a bed of straw  (see below).

Candlescapes for an autumn living room party // styled shoot by Bellenza

Set Up a Coffee and Sweets Station

A serve-yourself coffee and sweets station is a treat for guests—and a big help for you! Just roll up a bar cart alongside the party area and stock it with a coffee maker, your favorite ground coffee, sweeteners, creamer, coffee cups and mugs. Then, lay out an assortment of sweets, like cinnamon rolls, donuts and mini pies, on a platter or tiered pastry stand.

Coffee and cinnamon bun // styled shoot by Bellenza

Serve delectable chocolates (below) – chocolates are a must! Whether as treats to enjoy at the party or as favors to take home!

Chocolate truffles for a fall party // styled shoot by Bellenza

Give Fall-themed Take Home Favors

Tral mix favors packaged in fall hued wrapping.

As the occasion winds down, send guests off with packages of chocolates, donut holes or homemade trail mix* as heartwarming parting favors. Be sure to give these a fall flair, bundled in colorful fabric wraps with beaded leaf tags!

(*Our suggested recipe for your trail mix: roasted almonds, cashews, dark chocolate morsels, craisins, peanut butter M&Ms, and pumpkin seeds.)

For more inspiration for at-home gatherings this fall and during the holiday season, see these posts:

Entertaining in Small Spaces: Ideas for Styling a Coffee Table Party

Fall Entertaining Essentials in Gold from World Market

Wine and Cheese Holiday Party: Easy Ideas for a Stylish Affair

1 Comment

  1. Looks like a lovely gathering! I would enjoy it!

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