How to Get Your Home Ready for Hosting Guests this Winter with PartyLite

While the golden shades of Autumn still surround us, hints of winter are looming. The mornings are becoming somewhat of a task- between unravelling from the duvet’s warmth to applying make-up in semi-dark lighting. The days are shortening before our eyes, and faux fur coats are filling the shop windows. Winter is certainly en route, and with it comes the cosy dinner parties, family visits and festive soirées to sprinkle some joy over the dark evenings and freezing temperatures. However, as wonderfully merry and bright the season may be, the pressure that accompanies hosting may soon start to accumulate. During this period, many guests will pass through your humble abode. From fickle friends to impressionable in-laws, whether you like it or not, they will be passing judgment.

It’s time to dust off the special crockery, light the scented candles, and get your home ready for some winter hosting with PartyLite.

To begin, when welcoming a guest into the home, the first and most important thing is obviously the warmth that you, as a host, exude. After that, it’s the warmth exuded by your house, especially during this crisp time of year. However, believe it or not, this does not entail a ramped-up energy bill from blasting on the heat. In fact, you can transform your house into a snug haven by simply paying attention to colour. Deep reds, burnt oranges, and cosy browns are the shades that will keep your guests at ease and maintain a comfy, snuggly atmosphere. When your walls are a stark shade of white and there’s not a fireplace in sight- fear not, we have candles to rely on.

The hue of a lit candle instantly gives warmth to a room, and PartyLite have a wide range of options that are designed to add to the decor of your home with intricate designs and comforting shades. What’s more, you can also find elegant tealight holders to carry you through the season and beyond, such as this Pinstripe Hurricane. Simply pop a tealight candle into the holder and watch as the golden flame shines through the stripes and reflects onto the wall- a simple yet effective way to illuminate a corner and add a bronze glow to any room. 

Next, we have the importance of appealing to the sense of smell. Nobody wants to see their guests wrinkling their noses upon entry! Created with a blend of maple leaves, crisp cedarwood and bergamot, the beautiful fragrance emitted by the Falling Leaves candle will drift throughout the room, transporting your guests to a wooden chalet warmed with a crackling fire and freshly chopped wood.

Meanwhile, the delicious scent of ginger, cinnamon, and hints of caramel that can be found in the Spiced Pumpkin collection is delicious enough to whet your guests’ appetite (but nothing a festive charcuterie board can’t fix). 

While the emphasis is usually placed on transforming your living room into a cosy oasis, there’s another room that shouldn’t be overlooked. This is a room your guests will be guaranteed to pay a visit to at some point throughout the evening. We’re referring to the restroom, of course.

Once you have ensured your facilities are cleaned and soap dispensers filled, enhancing your restroom is easier than you may think. You guessed it- light a candle from the Forest Bathing range. Housed in an elegant glass jar, this candle releases a refreshing waft throughout the bathroom that exudes a spa-like luxury. If you’re concerned about leaving a candle unattended, try the fragrance sticks to go from the bathroom to the sanctuary, just without the flame. 

Finally, if you’re already truly immersed in festive mode, why not go all out with some Christmassy aromas? Aptly named ‘Christmas Morning’, this candle has been crafted to emit a blend of fresh evergreens, firewood and brown sugar shortbread, igniting the joyful spirit into any grinch. The best part about all of the candles from PartyLite is that they’re made with essential oils and are non-toxic, so you can relish in their calming, comforting benefits at ease. 

So there you have it- once your home is sufficiently illuminated and deliciously scented, all that’s left is to order food, discard any packaging evidence, present it in a homemade manner and tah-dah! Send your guests on their way singing your praises, and thank us, your local restaurant, and Partylite later.

Josie Wilkins

Josie is a Journalism graduate from Galway, Ireland. In her free time, she writes for her blog, Naturally Fuelled (@josiewilkins on instagram). When she isn't writing, she enjoys playing the one song she knows on the piano, 'I Giorni', saving the postman from her aggressive Shorkie, and defending brussels sprouts as an all-year-round snack!