The Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games will be kicking off at the end of this month, and we couldn’t be more excited. Whether you’re a sports enthusiast or you love any excuse for a party, hosting an Olympics-themed get-together is the ultimate way to celebrate the start of the games. Here’s your step-by-step guide to throwing an Olympics event that’s bound to be a winner!

Make DIY, gold-medal worthy decorations

To help everyone get into the sporting spirit, why not create some Olympics-inspired decorations to place around your home? A great activity for all the family and ideal for keeping the kids entertained during the summer holidays, craft paper chains in the colours of the Olympic rings – red, yellow, green, blue and black. Flag bunting is also a good choice. Encourage your children to draw and colour in the flags of participating countries, turning your crafting session into a geography lesson too. If you’re feeling extra creative, have a go at making an Olympic torch using papier mâché and paint – you could even host your own torch relay to explore your local green spaces – like the play areas and community gardens at The Arbour!

Go the distance with Olympics-themed food and drink

With the decorations sorted and displayed around your home, it’s time to turn to the food and drink. To keep your guests fuelled throughout the events, provide a delicious array of sweet and savoury snacks. To make catering for a crowd easy, we suggest an impressive spread that you can prepare before your guests arrive. Sausage rolls, tortilla crisps and dips, chicken wings and freshly baked focaccia will go down a treat. Create a show-stopping cheese board as the centre piece of your table. For an extra special touch, decorate with blueberries, strawberries, pineapple, kiwi and blackberries, to represent the colours of the Olympic rings! Ice cold jugs of Pimm’s to help wash everything down won’t go amiss, either. If you’re looking for an alcohol-free version, zesty fruit coolers will keep guests feeling refreshed. For more inspiration, check out these recipe ideas from Delicious Magazine.

Test your Olympics knowledge

Warming up is important – we suggest a trivia quiz to really help you get in the mood for the Summer Olympics. In preparation for the opening ceremony, put your knowledge to the test and play the official Olympics trivia test. Answer questions about specific sports, such as table tennis and beach volleyball, or focus on the venues across Paris that will be housing the games this year. By having a go at the quiz, you’ll learn a host of fun new facts about the games. Did you know, 80% of the food menu served at the Olympic Village will be sourced from France?

Let the games begin

On your marks…get set…watch! Make use of roomy, open-plan living space at The Arbour to settle down and enjoy the impressive opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. On Friday 26th July, the ceremony will begin on the Seine River – the first time in history that the ceremony will take place outside of the stadium. Over 10,000+ athletes will be taking part in a parade along the river, each in boats inspired by their country. Around 1.5 billion viewers are expected to watch the opening ceremony, which will be broadcasted all over the world – don’t miss out!

The ball is in your court. Discover homes at The Arbour.