Florida’s warm weather beckons us to party in our garages during the holiday season. What better place to host celebrations than the largest room in your home? Here are five secret tips from Orlando garage floors experts, Garage Design Works, to ensure the success of your holiday garage party:

• Invite Friends Early: Send party-themed invitations to your guests six weeks in advance so they save the date. When sending your party invitations, give your guests enough time between the receipt of your invitation and the RSVP date to respond; at least a week is preferred.
• Plan the Menu: A good party has lots of delicious food. If you are having a football game feast, include snacks that people can easily grab while watching the game such as popcorn, potato chips, and nuts. Serve up some easy, hot hors d’oeuvres like miniature hot dogs or stuffed mushrooms. Order a large sub sandwich or two, sliced to accommodate the number of people at your party. Chili in the crockpot is always a big favorite, too. Cookies and chocolate or fruity casserole dishes, and pies will have your guests savoring for more. Don’t forget some adult beverages and soda or water for the kids. If you are expecting a big crowd for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s, think about serving your tasty casserole dishes which will be easy to transport into the garage. Lasagna, macaroni and cheese, and string beans with onion rings baked in mushroom soup are always popular. Make sure you have enough ham or turkey to feed the crowd for those big holidays. Use lit sternos to keep things hot. For dessert, bake a homemade apple or mince pie, and serve it with vanilla ice cream or your favorite dessert casserole dish. Serve your freshly-baked holiday cookies, too.
• Decide on the Activities to Keep Your Party Interesting. Will there be betting games at your football party? How about apple bobbing or prizes for the most creative costume at your Halloween garage party? You can also have card games, trivia, word games, board games, or Karaoke at your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s party. Will you be playing background music?
• Decorate Your Garage for the Occasion: Make sure you will have enough tables and chairs for the attendees. Arrange your seating areas so it also allows for traffic flow. Use festive party-themed tablecloths, centerpieces, and plates. Natural accents like pumpkins, pine cones, holly, or greenery create a festive feeling. Candles inside hurricane glass covers are great for adding ambiance.
• Make Cleaning up Easy: Use tablecloths, silverware, plates, cups, and glasses that are disposable. You can find some upscale-looking dining utensils in the big box stores that are throw-aways so don’t rule them out for your holiday garage parties.  Keep garbage receptacles in the garage. Position them against the walls so they are visible but don’t become an eyesore.

If you follow our secrets to successful holiday garage parties, you‘ll soon be known as the Martha Stewart of garage dining. Your family and friends will look forward to your next celebration. If you are interested in transforming your Orlando garage floors, please call us at 407-447-8890, or contact us online.