How to Throw a Stylish Pizza Party: Pro Tips + A Bubbly Signature Sip Guests Will Love!
From simple flourishes to perfectly paired drinks, this celebration comes together faster than delivery!
Turning your next pizza night into an event to remember is surprisingly simple and affordable! The key to success? A classic buffet-style setup, fun cocktails and thoughtful on-theme touches. Friends and loved ones of all ages will delight over this charming, elevated pizza night. Here, we tapped event planners and DIY pros to share their savvy how-to’s and tips for your best-ever pizza party.
“As soon as I saw all of the fun pizza products available at Oriental Trading I immediately knew a fun, bright pizza party was in our future,” says party pro Alison McKown, founder of JustAddConfetti.com. “And it was a blast!” To get the look of McKown’s spread (above), simply push a table up to a wall and top with a white cloth, round paper lanterns, a stack of pizza boxes and a cake stand filled with sugar cookies that are decorated to look like mini pizzas. Line up pedestal bowls filled with pizza dough and bowls of toppings so guests can make and bake their own pizzas!
Welcome everyone with happy heartfelt place settings
At her party, McKown created adorable heart-shaped pizza place settings. For a similar look, simply top a heart-shaped plate (Buy at Amazon, $17 for 50) from the party store with a heart shape cut from yellow scrapbook paper and jot down a sweet message on the paper. Tip: Click here for free printable plate toppers and other extras.
Pep up any pizza party in no time with this easy idea
Whether you opt for delivery or homemade pizza at your bash, make it taste even better by adding fresh toppings just before serving. While you wait for your pizza, prep and chop delicate add-ons that won’t hold up to the heat of the oven, like arugula, herbs and shaved Parmesan cheese. Other toppings that pack a bigger punch without the heat of the oven: thinly sliced red onion, hot peppers and a drizzle of infused oil.
Related: Pizza Fries Are the Perfect Cheesy Snack Loaded With Flavor — and So Easy to Make!
Brighten a table with ‘gourmet’ spotlights
The bright colors and interesting graphics on cans of sauce, chopped tomatoes and other Italian favorites are so artful, they can double as decor! To make these clever lanterns, start by cleaning out a few cans and letting them dry completely. Next, smooth down any sharp edges by rubbing them with coarse sandpaper. Then insert a battery-operated votive or pillar candle into each can. Prefer real candles? Just make sure the candle is at least 1″ shorter than the lip of the can to protect the flame. Line a wooden tray with a red gingham napkin, then arrange 5 to 6 can lanterns on top and display on a table.
Sweeten the day with a no-bake cheesecake
This subtly sweet treat pairs perfectly with pizza. To make: Mix 11⁄2 cups of crumbled almond biscotti with 4 Tbs. of melted butter; press into a springform pan. Beat 8 oz. of mascarpone cheese with 1⁄2 cup of sugar. Beat 2 cups of heavy cream with 1 tsp. of vanilla and 3 Tbs. of sugar until soft peaks form; fold into mascarpone mix and pour into the pan. Chill overnight; top with strawberries. Let sit 15 minutes before serving.
Add instant flair with an on-theme floral bunch
Put a festive twist on traditional bouquets by styling white supermarket blooms and fresh greenery in Italian tomato cans! “For less than $10, I created this floral arrangement — I love this casual quirky look,” says Debbie Westbrooks, owner and founder of RefreshRestyle.com. “Growing up in the country, the ladies in my family were always putting flowers in old jars and cans.” To do: For each, simply wash and dry out a large empty tomato can. Then snip fresh blooms and greenery to about 4″ or 5″ taller than the can. Insert greenery first forming a soft mound then insert flowers one by one. Display bouquet on a rustic wooden cutting board placed atop a buffet or entryway table.
Wake up taste buds with a sparkling citrus spritz
Refreshing yet not too sweet, the Aperol spritz is a trendy drink that balances the rich flavors of Italian fare. The key ingredient: Aperol, an orange liqueur that has a bitter profile (about $22, liquor stores). To make each spritz, pour 3 oz. of sparkling white wine, 2 oz. of Aperol and 1 oz. of seltzer into an ice-filled glass. Stir, then garnish with an orange slice.
Enhance the fun even more with a ‘pizza toss’ game
Get them moving (and laughing) with a fun game of “pizza toss.” First, pick up different solid-colored small paper plates (these will be the “toppings”) and a circular tablecloth (the “pizza”). Spread cloth on the floor, then assign each guest a color and give them a stack of plates. Have everyone stand a few feet back, set a timer for 30 seconds and at your signal, have them toss plates onto the “pizza.” Whoever has the most plates on the cloth wins!
Reheat leftover pizza perfectly
Store leftover slices in large zip-top bags to keep them from drying out. When you’re ready to enjoy, warm a large nonstick skillet over medium heat on the stove, place a slice in the skillet and let sit for 2 to 3 minutes. Add a few drops of water to the pan and put the lid on (this adds just enough moisture to perfectly melt the cheese). Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, remove the lid and enjoy!
For a simple visual step-by-step check out this video by Dommelier on TikTok:
Related: How to Reheat Pizza in an Air Fryer So It Stays Crispy and Cheesy
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