Playing host can be quite tough! Invitations, food, music and décor – everything must go perfectly. Follow these tips to polish your hosting skills and keep your guests holding their breaths for plenty more invites from you.
House parties set quite the stage for socialising. They also come with the burden of painfully detailed planning. The guest list must be screened, the entertainment must be a crowd-pleaser, the food has to be sensitive to all palates and allergies, and toughest of all, setting the right mood is completely the responsibility of the host. One wrong call and you might just lose your standing as party-giver. Stay on top of your game with these helpful pointers.
Plan your guest list:
The success of a party is directly proportional to the number of memorable moments made; and that depends on the guests. Don’t forget to invite your neighbours; if they are part of the party, there is no scope for complaints!
When you send out invitations, ask for an RSVP. This is a great way to help you plan the food, drinks, and party events.
Ask yourself what type of party you’d be comfortable hosting, before you send out invitations. If it is going to be an intimate affair, make it a group of 8 to 12. If wild bash is what you’re going for, expand the list. Whatever the size, remember that all executive duties will be yours. Invite a feasible number that is within your comfort zone.
Draw up an interesting playlist:
If there is a DJ on your guest list, assign him a corner with a table and let him take on the show. If you are at your own mercy, then ensure that you have a well-tempered playlist that will both keep your guests on their feet and also encourage conversation.
No harm having leftovers:
Make sure you have enough food for the entire party, especially if there is going to be alcohol. Dish out snacks to hold your guests over before the main courses are served. Don’t put out all the food at once. Fill up a few bowls, and then refill them as required. If you are cooking, give yourself ample time to prepare. Don’t tire yourself out. Plan your menu in advance and have a time frame set. Always cook more food than you think you’ll need. Excess food can always be repurposed the next day; the embarrassment of running short, however, is hard to live down.
Have a clean venue:
Stock up the bathroom with extra toilet paper and make sure every room looks presentable. Have the dishes all clean and ready to eat off of. Plan the seating, especially if the dance floor is part of the plan. Causalities are the last things you want on your shoulders!
If you are hosting a big party, remove all delicate or breakable items in advance to avoid costly mishaps.
If you want a ‘no entry room’, simply close the doors, and leave the rest of the doors open. This way intrusions and encroachments can be avoided.
Keep calm and mingle!
No matter what happens, keep up your poise. Whenever you feel panic mounting, take three deep breaths and a small sip from your beverage bar. Know that it is you who has requested the presence of these people in your home; make them feel it in your warmth towards them. Spend some time with each guest and make introductions wherever needed.
