I want to start with a full disclosure here, I was provided these items free of charge to review but all opinions are completely my own. I only accept opportunities from brands and products I trust and stand behind and UncommonGoods is no exception.

I’ve teamed up with UncommonGoods to show you how to throw an epic party. UncommonGoods is an online marketplace that features handmade goods, adorable gifts and decor that is created without harm to animals or people. They provide a platform for artists and designers to feature their work and most of the items sold on their site are made right here in the US and about a third are made from recycled or upcycled materials.

I kind of adore everything they stand for. Their Better to Give program donates $1 for every purchase to a non-profit of the buyers choice. They are an awesome company all around and I’m proud to team up with them.

Now let’s talk about how you can take your party to the next level.

Spring is almost here people and that’s something to celebrate! Am I right? I know when it comes to planning a gathering, I can get overwhelmed fast. I’ve learned a few tips and tricks over the years to help keep things running smoothly and I’m sharing them with you today.

For me, preparation is key for keeping a party running smoothly and on time. My type A personality requires a detailed to-do list that I create about a week ahead of time. I decide what food and drinks I’ll be serving, write a grocery list and create a timeline for the food prep and house cleaning.

Having a list is also beneficial if you have someone helping you. I’m terrible at delegating and accepting help so they can just look at the list and see what needs to be done.

I also like to set out all the serving dishes, utensils and glassware the night before so it’s all in one place and you know exactly what you will serve everything in. You can even go as far as arranging it so you can see how it will look and decide if you need to add anything or create an additional area for serving. You can find just about anything you need for your party preparations here.

Next, let’s talk booze. I mean, it’s not really a party otherwise. Just saying. One huge tip I have when throwing a party is creating a signature cocktail. It can be overwhelming mixing drinks for all your guests and you end up spending all your time in the kitchen instead of mingling.

With warm weather just around the corner, Spring Sangria would be a delicious option to serve in these hobnail wine glasses (you can find them here). The second I saw them I knew they had to be mine. I’m not normally a fan of purple but they totally spoke to me. Joel and I have used them a few times already but he doesn’t appreciate the joy of drinking from a gorgeous glass. My lady loves will totally get it. Did somebody say Bachelor finale at my house? 

For your party, it’s also a good idea to set out some liquor and basic mixers for your guests to help themselves to as well.  I couldn’t resist these giant round ice cubes to keep the sangria and cocktails cold. You can infuse them with fruit to add a fun little twist to your favorite cocktail or add interest to your water.

A party isn’t a party without lots of food. I find one centered around appetizers rather than a sit down dinner to be more down my alley. It’s more relaxed, easier to prep and allows for more variety. Plus, I’m a snacker at heart so appetizers speak to me.

A good general rule for the number of appetizers per person is 12 if you are just serving appetizers and per person for a dessert appetizer. If you are serving a sit down dinner then you should plan for 6 appetizers per person.

I absolutely love the slate cheese board that I received for putting together a simple, yet elegant appetizer. Cheese always seems to be a big hit and one of the first things to disappear so it’s definitely a good idea if you ask me. Speaking of cheese, I also totally adore this ampersand cheese and crackers board. It’s a part of the Uncommon Collection which features products with an original design that are made with environmentally friendly materials, responsible business practices and resourceful packaging. They are also exclusive to UncommonGoods. It’s already on my birthday wish list.

I’m kind of dying over this personalized cutting board too. Wouldn’t it be the best wedding present ever?!? I think yes. Can you tell I have a thing for cutting and serving boards? I may have a whole cabinet dedicated to them….

Dips are an absolute must at my parties. Everybody loves a dip and they are usually the first thing to disappear. And a bonus to the host, they can be made ahead of time (and usually taste better that way) which means less stress the day of the party. I made a killer Caramelized Onion and Bacon Dip to serve in these. 

The dip goes on one side and the dippers on the other. And they are curved to fit your hand perfectly, say if you’re sitting in front of the TV binge watching Netflix. Eh-hem, not that I would know. You could also go with chips and salsa or even a sweet dip with graham cracker sticks.

It’s also nice to have some no effort snacks like mixed nuts, olives or popcorn for your guests to nibble on while you put the finishing touches on the other dishes.

So there you have it, my favorite party tips to keep yourself on track and stress free so that you can enjoy your party that you worked so hard to put together. And make sure you check out all the unique kitchenware UncommonGoods has to offer to throw your party over the top.