LOS ANGELES — Need to cook two turkeys for 35 people but have only one oven? Perhaps you can rent a second.
Worried that not all of your guests will fit in your too-small home? Maybe create an inviting room for guests outside with some rented modular sofas, comfy canopy chairs, colorful end tables and a modern Kindle space heater.
Design snobs in your midst? No problem. Sculptural Verner Panton dining chairs can be yours for just a few days.
Consumers’ options in party rentals keep expanding, and even the most seasoned holiday host might be surprised by the variety of designs and gear available. And when it comes to basics such as tables, chairs, plates and glasses, renting just might be easier than borrowing and less expensive than buying. Things you need to know:
1. Don’t presume your party is too small. Many rental companies — even at the high end — have no minimum order requirement, and if they do, it might be less than you might guess — as low as $65 at one popular rental spot.
2. Get it delivered. Having your order dropped off at home saves time and sanity. Delivery fees generally include setup of equipment and pickup and can range from $65 to about $100, depending upon how much your order costs.
3. Get it delivered. For those of you who didn’t pay attention to No. 2, remember: You cannot show up at the rental warehouse expecting to fit an 8-foot-long banquet table in your Prius. Dishes and glasses are packed in wide boxes and large plastic crates. Some of the nicer dining chairs cannot be picked up because of concerns about scratches. Plan accordingly.
4. Order early. By Nov. 1, rental companies already had logged orders for Thanksgiving. Most companies take orders only by phone or in person, during business hours. Peruse offerings online first. Some have prices on their website. Even if you don’t have an exact guest count, place a preliminary order and make adjustments later.
5. Count tables carefully. An 8-foot-long table can seat 10, but it likely won’t be wide enough to set down serving dishes. When the cost is about $9 per table, why not just order an extra to use as a buffet? The other issue: room planning. Figure out if you need to rearrange a room, and note that most delivery people are not allowed to move furniture.
6. Move the party outside. If you realize rooms are indeed too small, move outdoors. Create a space where people can linger, drink or dine by adding patio furniture or establishing an extra room with a canopy on a patio or deck. A 10-by-10-foot canopy from L.A. Party Rents in Van Nuys, Calif., starts at $85.
7. Rent extra glasses — three glasses per person — because guests tend to drink different wines or lose track of their glass. The breakage fee for a wine glass is usually about $2.50. The rent-extras rule also applies to place settings.
8. Claim your gravy boat. If you know you’ll need one, get moving. You could buy or borrow one, but the point here is to reduce the amount of work for yourself. A ladle and boat set rents for $10 or so.
9. Mix and match. Mismatched place settings are a trend, so consider renting multiple styles of dishes and bowls and incorporating the china you have on hand.
10. Rent, don’t buy, linens. Some of your biggest savings can come from renting tablecloths and napkins. They’re usually available in dozens of colors with prices starting around $1 for napkins and $8.50 for tablecloths.
