Have you hosted parties in the past that haven’t exactly gone as planned? Are you tired of rushing around the entire party worrying about this and that, only to miss out on all the socializing and fun? These are common complaints with party hosts, but it doesn’t have to be the case. Did you know with some simple tips and a little advanced planning you can not only enjoy yourself at the party but throw an event that goes off without a hitch?
Here’s a look at how you can make that happen.
Organize a Menu in Advance
Whether you are serving a full meal or just snacks at your party, it pays to organize in advance. You need to know exactly how many guests are attending, if there are any food allergies, and start to form an idea of timing – i.e. when you want to serve the food.
If the party will be taking place over many hours, you’ll want to spread the food and drinks out instead of serving everything at once. You want to keep guests pleasantly satisfied, but not so full that they are uncomfortable. As far as when to put the first items out, experts suggest having a selection of light appetizers out and ready to go as soon as guests start to arrive.
If you plan on serving alcohol at your party, you will also need to make sure there is food available at all times.
Provide Ample Seating
There is nothing worse for guests than having to stand for the duration of a party because there isn’t enough seating. Make sure you’ve got plenty of seating and arrange it into various “conversation sections”. This allows groups to sit together and chat.
Have Some Music Playing in the Background
Playing music in the background helps to lighten the mood, set the tone, and break the ice when the first initial guests arrive. Be sure to pick music that is relaxing to listen to and isn’t too loud. You don’t want the music being the focus of the party. Rather, it should be part of the atmosphere.
Ensure Guests Have a Safe Way Home
If you plan on serving any type of alcoholic beverage at your party, then you will also want to keep an eye on guests who intend on driving home. To prevent drunk driving, you can always ask for keys from guests when they arrive and then label them. This means they will need to “check in” with you before they drive home. If you know they’ve had too much to drink, then you can call and arrange for a cab to come and pick them up. Preventing drunk driving is everyone’s responsibility, and it’s not worth taking the risk.
Gain the Title of Perfect Party Host
By using these simple tips and putting your guests’ needs and wants as a priority, you’re sure to gain the title of the perfect party host.
