Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, also known as St John the Baptist Day (in English), is a celebration of Quebec culture and identity. It's also a great excuse to get together with friends and family. Here are some tips to help you host the perfect party.
Make a checklist
First, get organized and list everything that needs to be done for the party. Some ideas:
Send invitations to your guests about a month in advance to accommodate their schedules and lifestyles. Ask about any dietary restrictions.
Decide on a menu and put together a list of the ingredients you need to buy.
Plan on shopping one or two days before the event.
Come up with a seating plan and get place cards if you're hosting a large group.
Take the time to clean and air out the house the day before the party.
Set the table on the day of the party.
Plan your menu
What kind of food will you offer your guests? You could stick with a good ol' BBQ dinner or look at food blogs and webzines for inspiration. They have amazing ideas for Saint-Jean-Baptiste, such as Matane shrimp rolls, buckwheat pancakes and desserts featuring Lac-Saint-Jean blueberries.
If someone asked you about an iconic Quebecois dish, I bet you'd immediately think of fries, cheese curds and gravy. So why not set up a poutine bar for your party? Your friends and family can choose from different kinds of cheese, sauce and toppings to build their own special poutine. It's a fun, festive and delicious way to feed a crowd!
Or, to make things easy, you could go for gourmet platters or even a pot-luck meal where everyone brings an assigned dish. Showcase Quebec cheeses. Ask your guests to bring beer from a local microbrewery or a new apple cider to try out.
Need more ideas? Make sure you have finger food ready when your guests arrive, set up a buffet with local delicacies, and serve both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Add some colour to your table
Do you want to go all out with decorating your table? Choose a fresh and elegant look. Use tablecloths in solid colours and white napkins with light blue accents. Accessories like serving trays and bowls, porcelain plates with blue flowers, and tinted wine glasses will add a splash of colour to the occasion.
Dress up your table with vases full of white flowers and eucalyptus leaves, or even some candles to create an inviting atmosphere. You can also set out the cutlery in Mason jars and include personalized touches such as blue name tags for guests.
Blue-and-white star-shaped confetti will charm your more whimsical guests. Prepare for any kids who are coming too. Saint-Jean-Baptiste-themed temporary tattoos, makeup or drawings will keep them happy and entertained.
EspaceProprio Tip Offer your guests party favours from a Quebec business. If you're on a tight budget, buy just one gift and offer it as the prize in a draw.
Create a party atmosphere
When you're having people over, it's important to make sure your guests have a good time and feel at home. There are a lot of fun things you can do. Here are just a few ideas:
Do you have a pool? Remind everyone to bring their swimsuit.
Put together a playlist with classic Quebec hits. There's nothing like music to get a party going!
If you have enough room, get people moving with some sports like volleyball, frisbee, a game of horseshoes, or an obstacle course for the youngest.
Suggest different games to encourage people to mingle:
Do karaoke with a playlist created by you.
Charades and guessing games about famous Quebec personalities or quotes. Examples: Who am I? Who said that? Who sang it?
Board games designed in Quebec to support local creatives and keep your guests entertained.
And last but not least: There's nothing like the traditional bonfire!
Do our checklists make your life easier? Don’t hesitate to share them!
