9 Top Entertaining Trends Of 2016 (Slideshow)
Look back at 2016 with whatever sense of fondness you can and remember the parties you attended with these nine entertaining trends of the year.
Bringing the Outdoors Indoors
Pinecones, forest animals, and even tents and teepees where brought from the woods into the home in 2016. Pinterest reports that camping-themed parties and rustic décor saw a 32 percent increase this year, as party planners took a back-to-nature approach to everything from children's birthday parties to weddings.
For tips on throwing a camping-themed birthday party, click here!
Cocktail Parties
Forget craft beer and prosecco, cocktails were actually what party planners and guests wanted this year. Over the summer, searched for cocktail recipes and parties increased on Pinterest by 400 percent. The ultimate cocktail? Your own. Signature cocktails continue to make a big wave on the entertaining world, with customized garnish bars really taking these drinks over the top.
Emojis
The bright colors and expressive faces of emojis jumped out of your smartphone and into children's birthday parties in 2016. From cakes to piñatas to plates, cups, and pillows, there are endless ways to decorate an event with these bright yellow faces. It's an easy party to pull off and fun for kids of all ages, so it's no surprise it's taken over.
Food Holidays
From the basic Taco Tuesday and Wine Wednesday to food holidays like Rum Day, Gummy Worm Day, and Meatball Day, every day was a holiday worth throwing a party for in 2016. And it makes sense, it's an easy theme, fun way to get together, and can turn your average Friday night get together into a night to remember.
Mannequin Challenge
Brought from the viral corners of the teen internet to offices around the world, the mannequin challenge was the biggest thing to hit the web since Harambe. Revelers at every kind of gathering, from college house parties to a formal affair at the White House, would freeze in place in a variety of hilarious and amusing poses, imitating mannequins. The footage was filmed, placed online, and instantly viewed by hundreds (if not thousands). In 2016, it was an especially unique way brag about your party online.
#Party Hashtags
If you didn't share your party on social media, did it really even happen? Though party-centric hashtags used to be relegated to the occasional wedding, every event from Oscars watch parties to backyard barbecues to Friendsgivings had their own social media callout.
Rose Quartz
One of Pantone's colors of the year in 2016, this light shade of pink popped up in every detail of weddings, baby showers, and dinner parties throughout the year. This dreamy color was perfect for everything from floral arrangements to napkin colors to candy favors at the end of an evening. In 2017, this sweet hue will be passed up for the more springy color of the year, greenery.
For How to Decorate Your Wedding With 2017's Color of the Year: Greenery, click here!
Super-Personalized Parties
Finding ideas you like online and then copying them exactly for your wedding, birthday party, holiday celebration, or event isn't enough anymore. Now, people are putting more time, effort, and DIY elbow grease into entertaining than ever before. From personalized party favors to monogrammed napkins to cakes that tell a personal story, party planning is all about expressing yourself fully.
TV Watch Parties
From Game of Thrones to Stranger Things to Westworld, it's said we're living in TV's "golden age," and people are gathering together to watch these shows and plan parties around them, bringing in themed foods and décor to make the night festive. Of course, 2016 also featured the Rio Olympics and American election, where people gathered with patriotic drinks and finger foods to feel a sense of national pride (or shame).