Knock, Knock — there’s a party at your door!
Guests come right to your front door, shouldn’t everything else?
Whether you’re hosting Friday night cocktails or a Father’s Day brunch, it’s now possible to take the pressure off by ordering everything in. Yes, everything. Even a cleanup crew.
Prices may vary according to delivery locations, and there’s sure to be some speciality delivery apps for your specific neighborhood before you buy. But here’s a sampling of sites we found that can deliver it all to your door -- food, flowers, even rental dishes (or chic paper ones, if that’s more your style).
THE BOOZE
Use the Minibar Delivery site or app for on-demand alcohol. Prep your drink list – wines, beers, cocktail ingredients – and have it delivered within an hour from a local liquor store. Not sure what you need? Their party-planning tool gives a “bottle breakdown” of what to buy based on number of guests, party length, and time of day. Alcohol prices are standard to your liquor store; $5 delivery. minibardelivery.com
THE FOOD
Outsource with Postmates to have your favorite local restaurant dishes delivered. From Bottega Louie’s pork chop to Jon & Vinny’s salad pizza, it’ll arrive ASAP; deliveries start at $5 plus 9% service fee. You can even get sweets from local bakeries. Another option for dessert? Order from Burbank-based Modern Bite, featuring cookies that will thrill guests with their highly-Instagrammable Art-Deco designs, as well as less-photogenic but highly-delicious chocolate truffle or pretzel toffee cookies. Prices start around $15 for a dozen; 2 business day delivery starts at $10. postmates.com, modernbite.com
INVITATIONS & DECOR
At Minted, you can order everything from place cards to menus, table runners to bunting, all featuring the work of independent designers – no big-box feel here. Choose from party themes and packages, or pick from designs ranging from the offbeat (eyeglasses, flamingos) to the elegant (abstract watercolors, classic typography). Prices start at $28 for runners and banners and $11 for delivery. minted.com
THE DISHWARE
If it’s a casual event, try disposable plates from the Oh Happy Day shop. A far cry from the plain, white supermarket ones – think ombré, striped, and Liberty of London-printed paper plates. Napkins available in similar patterns; $12 gets you 8 sets of biodegradable birchwood cutlery, cut like high-end silverware. Pieces ship in less than a week; shipping around $8. Looking for something more substantial? Try El Segundo-based Dishwish, a unique rental company that features vintage china and stemware that you can mix, match, and rent à la carte. Order 3 days ahead of time; rentals start at $1 per dinner plate, with a $125 fee for pickup and delivery. ohhappyday.com, dishwishevents.com
THE FLOWERS
BloomNation, a floral-delivery site, calls upon independent florists to craft centerpiece-worthy flowers by the next day. Make your choice from photo options, or sort by flower type or price. Depending on the florist you select, you may even purchase your anemones right in a handmade porcelain vase, as with Nora Flora Studio in South Pasadena, or drought-friendly succulents in a low wood box from Mid-City’s Dandelion Ranch. Prices start at $30 for small arrangements and at $5 for delivery. bloomnation.com
THE CLEAN-UP
Meet Handy, a platform where you can book a professional house cleaner for as soon as today. Use the site or app to fill out preliminary information about your home and what you’re after, from a general clean-up to someone to tackle inside the refrigerator and oven. Also on offer: handyman services from furniture assembly to plumbing work, because it’s not really a “guest bath” if the toilet is finicky. Prices start at $35 an hour. handy.com
