With the premiere of Season 5 this Sunday (can you believe it!?), it’s the perfect time to celebrate friends, fun and a love of our favorite drama. "Downton Abbey" is best when shared with friends, so invite your closest companions to a night of upstairs and downstairs entertainment!

Dress For The Event

Ask your guests to attend as their favorite character or in 1910s or 20s attire. It creates an enjoyable atmosphere for your party as costumes are a significant aspect of the show. They don’t need to be expensive either; drop waist dresses and long strands of pearls are currently trendy. Get inspiration from the show itself, the companion books or websites such as Unique Vintage for your outfit. For a downstairs look, a tailored suit or a dress and apron can work for a variety of characters. Include memorable props such as Mrs. Hughes’ keychain or Mr. Bates’ walking stick to make your outfit even more unique.

Break Out The Fine China

The Granthams would use their best flatware for entertaining, so don’t be afraid to use yours. Serve your meal on your nicest plates and bowls, use your nicest silverware, and don’t forget appropriate glassware for drinks. Champagne flutes, cocktail glasses, and a tea set are all beautiful touches to a table. A floral arrangement and place cards are also appropriate for a dinner. If possible, recruit a few volunteers to play footmen or maids to help serve food and facilitate activities. Set the mood with a record player if you have one, or play music from one of the "Downton Abbey" CDs. Incorporating the title credits and jazz music from season four is an appropriate addition to the festive atmosphere.

A Party Isn’t Complete Without Food

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Decide on a menu for your party soon! Incorporate elements from upstairs and downstairs in your meal. A casserole or stew dish is easy to make in bulk and serve to a large amount of people, so consider something like Shepherd’s Pie or Irish Stew. For a meal suitable for upstairs dining, consider a multi-course meal with a soup, salad, meat or fish, and cheese or dessert (apple charlotte and plum pudding have both been featured on the show). The Granthams would have many more courses if entertaining formally, but if you’re the only Mrs. Patmore in your kitchen, you may want to decrease the workload. Another option might be cocktails and canapés or a heartier version of afternoon tea, complete with sandwiches and other savories, scones, and sweets. Combine any of these ideas for a celebratory Downton meal.

Fancy A Game Or Two?

While rewatching previous seasons of the show is an option before the season five premiere, why not take advantage of gathering many Downton fans together and play a game? Trivia is a popular choice. Split your guests into teams (with Downton themed names, of course!) if there’s a large crowd and create questions before the party. Have your guests write in their answers with questions varying from easy to difficult and reward the winners with a Downton themed prize. Loose leaf tea, shortbread cookies, and Downton Abbey books can all be inexpensive but meaningful prizes. For a traditional approach, the Granthams played charades during their Christmas celebrations in season two. Create Downton themed characters, places, or situations on cards, split into two teams, and take turns acting them out just as Lady Mary did. Sir Richard Carlisle may have thought it appeared ridiculous, but that’s part of the fun!

Join Us At GPB For Our Downton Abbey Live Chat

If you or your guests enjoy meeting and networking with more fans, please join us on Sunday, January 4 for our annual "Downton Abbey" live chat from 9 p.m. -10:30 p.m. right on the "Desperate for Downton" blog. Guests from all over Georgia (and even across the country) will join me and fellow blogger Rosemary Jean-Louis for a lively discussion about the latest episode. (I started out as a loyal member of the chatroom myself last year!)

Every year new members and familiar usernames collaborate to share our reactions and thoughts about the episode and season each week. For Sunday’s premiere, there will be additional programming. The short discussion show "Manor of Speaking" airs right after at 10:40 p.m. Then the documentary “The Manners of Downton Abbey” starring historical advisor Alastair Bruce follows at 11 p.m.

We’ll be on hand to discuss these great additions to the premiere episode, so please join us!