hjjanisch on flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/hjjanisch/3370611368/
Words by Rob Tischler
With the holiday season in full-swing, many people have turned their attention to entertaining. Whether it’s a festive party or a holiday meal shared with family and friends, these gatherings are a great opportunity to celebrate and share the magic of the season with the people we care about most.
Holiday entertaining can be challenging under the best of circumstances, but if you’re one of the 1 million Americans who live in an RV rather than a “traditional” home, it may seem nearly impossible. However, just because you’ve simplified your living arrangements doesn’t mean you should simplify your social life. Small spaces provide a great environment for creative entertaining and can set the stage for more intimate and memorable social gatherings. All it takes is a little careful planning.
5 Ways to Make Your Small Space Work For You
RV living comes with amazing freedom but it also requires some strategic thinking and flexibility, which you’ll need to put to good use as your plan your RV holiday party. Here are 5 tips you can use to maximize your limited space:
- First, Declutter: Start your party planning off with a clean slate. That means scrubbing your motorcoach from stem to stern, and in the process, eliminating any excess personal items that will get in your guest’s way. Store it in a closet or under a bed or even in the trunk of your car. Do whatever it takes to remove the odds and ends from your hosting area and open up that valuable space.
- Make Your RV Easy to Navigate: Setting up your entertaining area in smart and flexible ways will help your guests move easily through your home. Offer them cues about how they should use your space by pre-placing drink coasters throughout your RV. These will serve as a handy invitation to settle in and relax. Labeling drawers that contain common items like glasses or silverware will also help your guests use your space more efficiently.
- Use Every Surface You Can: A nice tablecloth can transform a work desk or bookshelf into a temporary bar or serving station in an instant. If you’d like to host a more intimate meal, you can move several small tables together to form a larger communal eating area or central buffet.
- Avoid the Crowds: When you’re ready to serve all those delicious holiday treats, spread your appetizers, buffet or main course, and drink stations around your living space so you don’t force your guests to cluster in one crowded spot.
- Take the Party Outside: If you’re a snowbird who winters in a warmer climate, consider expanding your party space outdoors underneath a tent, canopy or even the open sky.
If weather’s a concern, you can always hold an open-house event and stagger your guests so the crush doesn’t arrive all at once. Now, it’s time to decorate!
Decorate to Enhance Your Space
Decorations, of course, will set the tone for your holiday event. But choosing the wrong party accoutrements can actually add unwanted clutter and make your home feel smaller. To avoid this, start by letting in as much natural light as possible and hang mirrors on one or two of your walls to make your space appear larger.
When selecting decor, think solid lines rather than patterns, which give the impression of clutter. Then decorate up, rather than out. Choose tall and thin centerpieces, which will add drama to your table without taking up extra room. Using tiered trays and risers to serve your food will also make your space look less cluttered and more purposeful.
Keep your valuable flat spaces clear by decorating your walls, ceilings, and pop-out with streamers, lights, bud vases, or any other festive and fun items.
Serve for the Situation
Of course delicious food and drinks are at the heart of any holiday gathering. But when you’re cooking in a small space, it’s important to be strategic about your menu. After all, the whole point of holding this holiday get-together is to connect with the people you care about. That won’t happen if you’re stuck in the kitchen all evening long.
So instead of cooking an elaborate seven course meal, try choosing dishes you can prepare in advance like a pre-cooked piece of meat or a hearty soup or stew. You could also make several substantial appetizers your guests can snack on throughout the get-together.
And because space will always be at a premium, don’t clutter your fridge with a variety of drinks. Instead, keep it simple by offering your guests a signature cocktail, or one or two of your favorite libations.
Most Importantly, Have Fun!
A small space shouldn’t prevent you from fully enjoying the holiday season. With a little careful planning you can still host a wonderful, intimate, and memorable get-together your guests will love. In the midst of all this planning, don’t forget to have a little fun. After all, that’s what the holidays are all about.
Rob Tischler - The founder and CEO of Allstar Coaches, the largest luxury RV rental company in the U.S., Rob Tischler is committed to helping Americans experience the perfect road trip adventure. Allstar Coaches