5 Holiday Hosting Ideas to Surprise and Delight Your Guests

11/19/19 • 20 min

Are you planning an event in the coming weeks for the holidays? Well if so, then you’re in luck! Because in today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 creative ideas to get your guests engaged especially during this festive time of year. These ideas are inspired by our past events we’ve produced for brands including Bob’s Red Mill, Simply Organic and more. They’re absolutely tried and tested!

But don’t think this episode is just about throwing a fun party. In fact, what I’m about to share with you are ideas based on experiential marketing principles that work, no matter the setting. It’s a fact that when people are creating, learning, or connecting, they are more likely to retain the experience (and your brand) in their long-term memory. As a brand marketer, this is THE Holy grail, so why settle for anything less?

Subscribe, Rate & Review:

If you loved this episode and don’t want to miss our next one, then be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!
And if you want to give this new podcast the boost that it needs, please rate and review. It takes less than a minute and can really help this podcast reach more people like you. Thanks so much!
Episode Highlights:

A special offer from Peerspace [1:40]
Our go-to hosting idea for any time of year [3:15]
Make it easy for your guests to feel good about themselves [7:22]
Create an opportunity to learn from others [10:54]
Help your guests disconnect to better connect [12:58]
Our favorite Thanksgiving ice breaker [16:11]

Helpful Links:

10% off Peerspace (there’s no promo code — just book via the link)
DIY cocktail skewer tutorial (an oldie but still a classic!)
DIY wishbone tutorials: option 1, option 2
Mix and match glassware
Bob's Holiday Bakeshop event
Phone bags
The Experiential Table Facebook group
Episode Transcript
Hidden Rhythm on Instagram

Note: I may earn affiliate revenue should you purchase through the links provided. I only recommend products and services I absolutely believe in and use myself.

Thanks so much for listening! Connect with me on Instagram (@culinarycynthia) and let me know how you enjoyed this episode. I'd love to hear from you!

Subscribe, Rate & Review:

A special offer from Peerspace [1:40]
Our go-to hosting idea for any time of year [3:15]
Make it easy for your guests to feel good about themselves [7:22]
Create an opportunity to learn from others [10:54]
Help your guests disconnect to better connect [12:58]
Our favorite Thanksgiving ice breaker [16:11]

Helpful Links:

10% off Peerspace (there’s no promo code — just book via the link)
DIY cocktail skewer tutorial (an oldie but still a classic!)
DIY wishbone tutorials: option 1, option 2
Mix and match glassware
Bob's Holiday Bakeshop event
Phone bags
The Experiential Table Facebook group
Episode Transcript
Hidden Rhythm on Instagram

Note: I may earn affiliate revenue should you purchase through the links provided. I only recommend products and services I absolutely believe in and use myself.

Thanks so much for listening! Connect with me on Instagram (@culinarycynthia) and let me know how you enjoyed this episode. I'd love to hear from you!

Previous Episode

3 Experiential Tactics to Make the Most of Your Next Sampling Event

Today's episode covers a topic I cannot wait to share with you: how to step up your presence at your next sampling event. If you're running a food brand and sampling at your local grocery store or maybe you're traveling to larger trade shows, then this episode is for you.
For those of you who aren't demoing your products or don't even have a product to sell yet, don't leave me just yet! What you'll learn in this episode will absolutely come in handy in the future. It'll change the way you think about sampling and how to showcase your brand in the physical world once you're ready. Get your pen and paper ready, because this show is filled with tactical tips to help you make the most of your sampling events!
How to Sample with Style Workshop:
Join our LIVE 2-hour workshop taught by Cynthia on November 20th! You'll learn how to step up your sampling booth to attract the attention your brand deserves through these 3 key steps:

Define your brand's Event Identity
Source your Event Kit without spending a fortune
Style an irresistible and engaging display table

A digital workbook will be included so you can get started with ease! You'll also get a BONUS 30-minute 1-on-1 coaching call with Cynthia to answer any follow-up questions after the workshop. For a one-time investment of $97, you'll have lifetime access to all of the above. Save your seat here - you won't want to miss this!
Subscribe, Rate & Review:

Defining your brand's Event Identity [3:00]
Client example: Bare Beachside Orchard [5:12]
How to Sample with Style workshop [8:47]
How to engage guests with a Signature Experience [11:14]
The single most important piece of data you should collect [18:22]

Helpful Links:

How to Sample with Style workshop
Bare Snacks event recap
Email collection / survey tools: Typeform, Google Surveys
The Experiential Table Facebook group
Episode Transcript
Hidden Rhythm on Instagram

Note: I may earn affiliate revenue should you purchase through the links provided. I only recommend products and services I absolutely believe in and use myself.

Thanks so much for listening! Connect with me on Instagram (@culinarycynthia) and let me know how you enjoyed this episode. I'd love to hear from you!

Next Episode

The Power of Scent with Leigh Winters

The best experiential events engage ALL five senses, but more often than not, a few of these senses are neglected. Can you guess which ones?

Well, what if I told you that you might just be ignoring the most POWERFUL sense of them all?

Today we’re talking with neuroscientist Leigh Winters to learn all about the power of scent and why it just might be the most important sense for your experience.

Not only is Leigh a neuroscientist but she’s also a natural beauty expert, certified aromatherapist, and founder of her own line, Leigh Winters Beauty.

I’ve gotten to know Leigh through our events in San Francisco and actually worked with her on an aromatherapy meditation for a brand activation we designed and produced. Needless to say, Leigh knows her stuff and I couldn’t help but want to pick her brain about scent as it relates to experience.

Get ready for a little bit of science and a whole lot of inspiration to make your events more impactful and memorable through the use of scent.

Subscribe, Rate & Review:

Are you subscribed to The Experiential Table? If you loved all that you learned in this episode and don’t want to miss our next one, then subscribe!
And if you want to give this new podcast the boost that it needs, please rate and review. It takes less than a minute and can really help this podcast reach more people like you. Thanks so much - it means a lot to us!
Episode Highlights:

Our FREE guide: 10 Simple Ways to Maximize Event ROI [1:45]
Getting to know Leigh Winters [2:49]
The science behind scent [9:35]
How scent impacts memories [16:48]
Examples of brands utilizing scent [18:26]
Recommended scents for different experiences [24:33]
The future of scent marketing [31:50]
The most important element of an experience (hint hint, it's not scent!) [41:00]

Helpful Links:

Thanks so much for listening! Connect with me on Instagram (@culinarycynthia) and let me know how you enjoyed this episode. I'd love to hear from you!