(BPT) – With the holidays around the corner and vacation on the mind, it’s important to make time for those you hold dear. Traveling provides the chance to spend time with friends that you don’t get to see often, and it’s important to make sure that time is well spent. So the next time you’re on the road, take some advice from Joy Cho, DIY-expert and founder of lifestyle brand Oh Joy, on how to plan a memorable get-together with friends by bringing the party along with you.
“When I travel, it isn’t always easy to get together with friends or find a quiet and fun place to catch up,” says Cho. “So I came up with the ‘Packable Party’ idea since sometimes old friends care more about being able to catch up and actually talk than hitting the newest or trendiest spot in town.”
So what exactly is a packable party? Simply put, it’s a party you can pack in your luggage!
To give you a better idea, below are some easy tips on how you can bring the fun to your hotel room:
The invite. Let your friends know you’ll be in town and invite them over with a group text, Evite or DM!
BYO beverage. Ask your friends to bring their own beverages, that way they can have something they like to drink and it’s one less thing for you to worry about.
The hotel room. Booking the right hotel room is key to having the space and amenities to host a fun party. Look for hotels like Homewood Suites by Hilton that have a living room space and even a full kitchen to prep snacks.
Packing the party. Set aside a small bag or packing cube where you pack some fun party essentials that pack down and won’t take up too much space in your luggage. Paper garlands and balloons pack up tight but add a fun mood to your space. For the snacks and food, bring party picks to allow for easy munching, swizzle sticks to add a little bit of fancy to your drinks, and metallic or paper straws. (If your hotel room has a kitchen, it likely has utensils and plates). Don’t forget paper tape to hang up your small decor pieces without damaging any walls. Add a Bluetooth speaker for easy background music.
Chic and fun recipes. Have quick and easy recipes that are delicious and ready to eat. Think mozzarella tomato skewers or watermelon feta salad, or even a great cheese and charcuterie board. You want things that are easy to put together and don’t need to be cooked, though if you have a full kitchen in your hotel room you can get as fancy as you want.
Order your groceries. When you’re traveling, you usually don’t have time to scope out a local grocery store and then pick up everything before people arrive. So choose a hotel, like Homewood Suites by Hilton, that offers a free grocery delivery service so you can have everything arrive at your door. (Or if you’re going old school, get pizza delivered to your hotel room.)
You’re now ready to party! Whether you’re meeting up in your room to catch up and then hitting the hottest new restaurant in town or catching the newest box-office thriller, or if you’re all showing up in PJs and making a night of staying in, you’ll have everything you need for some quality time with friends.
If you want more tips from Joy on how to have fun with friends from the comforts of your hotel room, check out this video!