Home entertaining

6th December 2022

It’s officially party season. Yay! But it seems many of us are choosing to entertain our friends and family at home than head to the pubs, clubs and restaurants.

In our latest “Inside the trend” blog we look at what’s happening, from TikTok dinner party trends to budget socializing, and share some of the best books to help your customers raise their hosting game.

Food books scattered on a rustic table with dining accessories

What’s it all about?

This one probably doesn’t need much explanation. Let’s face it people have been entertaining in their homes for forever. But in recent times the dinner party has had something of a rebrand. Enter the TikTok influencers serving up inspiration to millennials and Generation Z who are seduced by the idea of creating Instagram-worthy tablescapes, tasty sharing platters and even butter boards – wooden serving boards smeared with a thick layer of butter topped with different savoury ingredients. Now, the dinner party is less about showing off affluence and more about creating a fun vibe with friends that looks great on the socials.

Why now?

Covid-19 made going out more complicated, but pre-pandemic people were already spending more time entertaining at home. In 2017*, three quarters of adults surveyed in the UK said they would prefer friends to visit, rather than head to a pub or a restaurant. Since Covid, many people are experiencing a diminishing disposable income, so hosting at home can be seen as a more affordable way to gather with friends. John Lewis’ 2022 trends report revealed an 88% increase in sales of wine glasses and champagne flutes, hinting at where their customers’ priorities might lie.

How can I introduce it into my ranges?

This is a trend with broad appeal. If you’re already selling food and drink or interiors titles, then this is a perfect fit. But whoever your customers are, there will be a home-entertaining spin that can speak to them. Date nights, tea parties, cocktail sessions, there are countless ways to host at home, and people are always looking for new ideas to entertain their friends. There are plenty of stylish books on the market to inspire too. You could use some of these books to theme your own event to entice customers into your shop. It could be a cocktail-making session or a mini table-dressing workshop. Regardless, it could be a fun way to engage your customers with this trend and inspire some sales too!