How we do a Party for Two

Running out of steam on at-home entertainment? Here are my best tips for at stay-at-home party for two.

Above: Practical Magic midnight margaritas is THE best example of a small, stay-at-home party

Long before COVID my spouse and I would frequently have parties...just with the two of us. Both of us are introverts and major homebodies, and we also really like to party (a contradiction, I know). If you're still not used to the having-fun-at-home thing, here is what we do to make a night extra fun with your significant other, roommate, or even just the fam you live with!

Set a date

Setting a time allows for prep and anticipation, much like a regular party--something to look forward to! Gives you time to get groceries and booze, prep your outfit, etc.

Dress up

It won't feel special if you're in your sweats. Take the extra half hour to put on make up, iron your shirts, dress up--whatever makes you feel and look special/different.

Adjust the lighting

It's not about romance, it's about MOOD. Turn off some lights, light some candles/turn on your fairy lights to set a tone for a different kind of night.


Above: Rory and Lorelai were the queens of small, at-home parties and celebrations (though it wasn't always perfect...like Lorelai's pan-Asian party for Rory). Here they are celebrating Christmas after Christmas was over.

Make a playlist

For me, music is crucial for setting a mood for an upbeat, fun night. It's a little bit of prep that cues this is a unique occasion. Lately what I've been doing is playing the playlist for a given night (ex, Xmas Eve, Winter Solstice, NYE, etc) then playing through albums After Hours by The Weeknd, Ungodly Hour by Chloe x Halle, and Girls Like Me by NYSSA.

Try a special cocktail

Making a drink specific to the party adds something new to try, and helps define an evening. Canadian Living has lots of tasty, accessible cocktail recipes, you could also check out A Field Guide to Canadian Cocktails by Victoria Walsh and Scott McCallum. Be forewarned though that Field Guide is not beginner friendly - awesome book with cool trivia and amazing recipes, but def daunting if you are trying to make a cocktail for the first time.

Mojo Jojo (based in Edmonton!) has lots of great cocktail products, we also like Rootside Provisions (based in Esquimalt!) bitters and mixers, especially their Ginger beer mix.

And for those of you who don't drink, A Beautiful Mess offers a lot of mocktail recipes.

Eat something different

I like to make a bunch of different appetizers for something fun and easy. Since we don't usually eat appetizers as a main meal, it makes a given evening feel much more festive and celebratory.

Gatherings: Bringing People Together with Food by Jan Scott and Julie Van Rosendaal has lots of good set menus (ex Snow Day, Beer Tasting, Retro Game Night, and many more) that I find are veg-adaptable and scale down nicely. Kitchen Party by Mary Berg also has lots of great ideas for occasions and lots of easy, yummy drink recipes. Bonus - both cookbooks are by Canadian chefs/authors!

Above: even if just 3-4 of them, the gals in Call the Midwife would put on a record, make a drink, and have some fun...all while living in what was basically a convent

Plan at least one activity 

Doing something can be as easy as spending 20 minutes on the puzzle while listening to music, doing party crackers, or a toast. Making the cocktail of the night together also counts! You can also just get a couple of scratch and wins from the gas station and do them together.

More elaborate - we have done tarot, tried a new video game my spouse might have, boardgames/Jenga or cards of course. You can also read off some would-you-rather questions from online for some laughs. Two Truths and a Lie or Truth or Dare can be a hoot. Karaoke works as well if you're into singing, or you can learn a new dance move together (see next point).

Also ridiculous but has been successful for us - playing catch. Indoors. With one of my stress balls. I'm not kidding, it's silly and presents a mild hazard to furniture but honestly kind of fun and entertaining. 

Dance

Dancing is the best and probably of all these ideas the best one for instantly making a given evening feel more special. If it's just two people, no one is watching, it's fun, and always feels celebratory. All you need is a little bit of space and music!

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