Dec 20, 2022

Report: Consumers to plan more in-home events in 2023

International Housewares Association (IHA)’s 2023 At-Home Entertaining Survey found that 82% of consumers expect to entertain in their homes at the same or increased frequency in the next year, and 35% expect to entertain in their home more often or much more often.

Most in-home gatherings will take place in October through December 2023, according to the survey, followed by January through March 2023. The average at-home gathering will have 10 or fewer guests, said 72% of survey respondents, followed by 22% with 11 to 26 guests.

Buffet/self-serve is the preferred format for food said 46% of respondents, followed by a sit-down meal (22%). Self-serve/mix is the preferred drink format of at-home gatherings (72%), followed by prepared and served drinks (20%).

As part of the survey, IHA asked consumers to identify challenges associated with at-home entertaining. Top answers included post-event clean-up (30%) and preparing everything to be served at the same time (22%) — areas that the home and housewares industry has and can continue to innovate around, IHA says.

In addition, the survey found that hosts send leftovers home with their guests 56% of the time, creating a post-event touchpoint — both for host and guests — that might previously have been overlooked.

In addition to solving the specific pain points mentioned, successful at-home entertaining requires items that help prep fantastic and often creative dishes — from cook and bakeware to kitchen electrics and gadgets — but also things that enhance the presentation of the home and the meal. This includes tableware, glassware, barware, bar accessories, textiles and décor — along with outdoor living products.

The annual Trending Today Preview at The Inspired Home Show 2023 will focus on At-Home Entertaining. The two-hour pre-show event on Saturday, March 4, will showcase exhibitors and products that consumers will look to fulfill their version of at-home gatherings. Show exhibitors validated within the At-Home Entertaining category are invited to participate in Trending Today. Participation is free, sign up is on a first come, first served basis and space is limited to 60 exhibitors.