The holiday season is a time for connection, but hosting a successful gathering often means the host misses the celebration while managing the kitchen details. Professional event planning secrets, focusing on streamlined service and immersive design, can transform a home party into a stress-free, memorable experience. We talked with one of Chicago’s most sought-after teams for creating memorable events to help you make yours shine!
Elevating the At-Home Experience
According to Jodi Fyfe, Founder and CEO of The Paramount Group, turning a standard holiday party into a truly memorable event relies on engaging guests and creating a sense of purpose beyond the refreshments.
“Interactive moments are always my starting point,” Fyfe stated, recommending simple participation points to make guests feel at ease. “When people get to participate, even for ten seconds, they relax. It encourages curiosity, nudges people to engage, and gives the event a lively and inviting atmosphere.”
Fyfe also suggests incorporating an element that provides a deeper meaning to the occasion. “The other element I love bringing in, especially during the holidays, is a feel-good component that gives the night a little more heart. Guests love knowing that what they’re enjoying has purpose behind it — it makes people feel like they’re part of something bigger than the party itself.”
Top Tips for Minimizing Host Stress
For those managing a holiday gathering at home, the key to minimizing stress is creating systems that empower the host to be present. Fyfe offers two foundational tips for effortlessly managing food and drinks.
First, establish immediate guest reception: “Give yourself some breathing room at the door by setting up a small self-serve station the second guests walk in — a drink and a little bite. It sets the tone, takes the pressure off you, and buys you a moment actually to say hello instead of scrambling with bottles and glassware.”
Second, streamline the beverage service: “And always pre-batch your signature cocktail and a mocktail. Trust me: no one needs to be shaking drinks all night, especially not the host. Mix it ahead, pour it into a great-looking pitcher, throw in some fresh herbs or citrus, and you’re done. It looks polished, it feels intentional, and it lets you stay present.”
The Value of Professional Support
Ultimately, professional support allows hosts to reclaim the holiday experience itself. Fyfe emphasizes that outsourcing essential tasks is not about extravagance, but about ensuring the host’s happiness.
“Because you deserve actually to experience your own event. If you’re stuck in the kitchen worrying about timing and dishes, you miss the whole point: being with your people. And it doesn’t have to mean full-service. Sometimes hiring a bartender or letting us handle desserts or sides is all it takes. Those small pieces of support free up so much mental space. You get to enjoy your guests instead of managing the night.”
Fyfe notes that this support is especially critical when managing challenging logistics, such as those imposed by winter weather. She emphasizes proactive measures to ensure guests are comfortable from the start: “Planning is everything. We build in early load-ins and buffer time for transportation, because winter in Chicago is never predictable. We also think about guest comfort from the moment they arrive — making sure there’s a warm, easy path inside, offering a welcome drink that takes the chill off, and communicating clearly so no one is stuck outside trying to figure out where to go. You can’t control the weather here, but you can design around it so guests feel taken care of the second they walk in.”
