LIFESTYLE

Cheat Sheet for Holiday Hosting

November 5, 2020

For some, the approaching holiday season brings hopes and visions of warm, cozy dinner parties at home with family and friends. While this year is very different from years past, we want to be a trusted resource for those who are thinking about responsibly hosting a small group of close friends or family at home. The CDC offers these guidelines for gathering with family and friends. If you are planning on a safe, in-home gathering, your team of LIVunLtd concierges has put together the following ideas to help you plan.

Everything below and more can be arranged with your LIVunLtd concierge, and you can send us your request through the LIV app, our web portal, or by emailing or calling us directly. 

EATS

Many of our favorite restaurants around the city have opened up their pantries to us and are now offering online Market shops of the highest quality. Stock your fridge with fresh seasonal produce, meats, prepared foods, and everyday goods to make meal prep for a crew a breeze.

Casa by Colonia Verde

As Brooklyn restaurateurs with over a decade of experience, Colonia Verde brings you their top picks for sustainable provisions with their craft delivery service, Casa by Colonia Verde. Order for next day delivery or catch same-day delivery when you order before noon.

Oxalis Pantry

At the Oxalis Pantry, you will find everything you need to make eating and drinking at home easier and enjoyable. Fresh foods and goods are available for local delivery and pickup Friday – Sunday, with a restock on Tuesdays. Plus – they accept compost and food drop-offs every Sunday, free of charge.

Olmsted Trading Post

The Olmsted Trading Post is stocked full with all your cooking and pantry needs. From togarashi popcorn and wild blueberry jam, to everything bagel pretzel buns and duck breast pastrami, there’s no need to shop anywhere else for your dinner ingredients.

Blue Hill NYC

Blue Hill NYC’s resourcED boxes are the perfect way to gather everything you need this holiday. Their boxes are organized into four categories: From the Kitchen, From the Field, From the Meat Processing Center, and From the Sea. 

DRINK

Welcome your guests into your home with a glass of wine or a made-to-order cocktail – both guaranteed to be crowd-pleasers! We asked the experts at Olé Obrigado to curate the perfect 6-pack of wine pairings for drinking along with your holiday feast- from the turkey and the pumpkin pie, to everything in between. Get pairing advice from the experts here! Not a wine drinker? Mix up something strong with Volley, the only tequila seltzer that uses only the purest and cleanest ingredients. Try one of these cocktail recipes to go beyond the can with a bit of holiday flair.

Smokey Cider

1/2 can of Spicy Ginger Volley
1 oz. Mezcal
1 oz. thyme honey simple syrup

Top with apple cider and garnish with a cinnamon stick, thyme sprig, apple slice

Jingle Juice

1/2 can of Zesty Lime Volley
1 oz. mint honey simple syrup
Splash of cranberry juice and ginger beer
Top with Prosecco

Garnish with cranberries, lime, and mint sprig

Rosemary Paloma

1/2 can of Sharp Grapefruit Volley
1 oz. vodka
1 oz. rosemary honey simple syrup
Squeeze ½ grapefruit
Squeeze ½ lime

Garnish with lime and grapefruit wheel

SETTING THE TABLE

No matter your taste, Social Studies has a tablescape for every occasion! They are the modern online destination for all things entertaining, making it easier than ever to gather with confidence by helping you set the table with rentable looks for any occasion, from holidays to birthdays, or just nights dining in, delivered to your door. Each look includes complete place settings, linens, candles and decor, even menus, and place cards. As a client of LIVunLtd, you have access to preferred pricing. Contact your concierge to order.

STAY

Picky Parents

When choosing a hotel, you want to make sure you are getting the best bang for your buck – we get it! Location, amenities, service, and cleanliness are all important factors when your parents are expecting the best of the best. Reserve them a spot at the ever-charming Bowery Hotel, the 5-star hotel that is the standard of service, style and sophistication. Perhaps they would prefer to stay a bit more uptown, at the ultra-chic Whitby Hotel that is unlike any other.

Family Reunion

Forget the air mattresses and rollaway cots! Get a room that fits your grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and more with a bit more square footage than the average hotel room. The Bunk Rooms at the Freehand Hotel were made with large groups in mind, each outfitted with their own outlets and reading lamps. The Connecting City Rooms at 1 Hotel Central Park sleep up to 6 people, and are located within walking distance of all the 5th Avenue Holiday cheer!

The “Cool” Rents

Let your parents live their best life during their stay because they’re not like regular parents, they’re cool parents. The Roxy Hotel, located amongst the cobblestone streets of Tribeca, exudes rock n’ roll and is steps away from the hottest and trendiest restaurants in the city. Or book them a room in the heart of the lively East Village at The Standard, named “Beautiful, Young, and Hip” by New York Magazine.

Romantic Room for Two

Did your sister develop a quarantine flame that she’s invited to the holiday dinner? Put them up at the Gramercy Park Hotel, where each reservation comes with a key that unlocks the gates to the exclusive, Gramercy Park – perfect for an evening stroll with loved ones! Or make them feel like they’re in their own world at Made Hotels while they still enjoy city views.

Contact your concierge to start planning!