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Hosting a get-together (no matter the occasion or how big or small it may be) is an exciting endeavor. Who doesn’t love coming together with close friends and family, as well as meeting new people, to celebrate a special occasion or simply to meet and catch up?
That said, parties can be pretty overwhelming, too. Even if you love hanging out with friends, family, and acquaintances, just the thought of dusting off your pretty serving plates and “guest-worthy” cutlery, cleaning and decorating your space, and taking care of all the nitty-gritty details involved in preparing for guests can be, in a word, exhausting — and the party hasn’t even started yet!
Indeed, a successful and truly enjoyable party does take some time and effort to put together. Yes, you can probably get by with ringing up your best friends for an ultra-casual, anything-goes get-together. However, it’s not something you can do when the guest list extends beyond your closest, ring-anytime bosom buddies.
Ready to get planning? Keep reading.
1. Ready your party planning essentials.
Before you invite anyone, figure out first what kind of party you’re having. The purpose or nature of the celebration will dictate the theme for the decorations, the serving plates, the cutlery, the kind of food and drink to serve, and other key details.
Are you throwing a luxury party? For your decoration, you may want to get some inspiration from the best five-star hotels in your region or country.
The kind of party you mean to throw will also help you determine how many people to invite and when to send out the invites. Generally, the more formal the event, the earlier you’ll need to send the invitations. Casual events don’t need as much advance notice, though.
Think at least one and a half to two months ahead for formal gatherings, as your guests will need ample time to plan and put your party on their calendar. In contrast, one week to a few days’ notice for a weekend barbecue among your closest friends should be more than sufficient.
Once you’ve confirmed the guest list, switch your focus onto ways to create the best party setting for all your guests. You need to make a lot of decisions: from where to place the snacks to where the guests will sit, from what lighting you need, and the decoration you’ll put up.
2. Consider the best food options.
No matter what the theme or the vibe of a party, offering a variety of food options is a necessity. If you’re hosting a dinner party, then sitting down to a meal at the table is the order of the day.
However, for more casual gatherings, you can have the food set out throughout the entertainment area. Make sure it’s easy for your guests to just reach out for something to sip or nibble on as they make the rounds or strike up conversations with everyone else.
Put finger foods on small plates and snacks in small bowls and place them throughout the party area so that everyone can easily and quickly help themselves. Don’t forget to also include a stack of plates and napkins nearby for everyone’s convenience. Having great food around (and keeping the serving plates regularly replenished) will help keep guests in a good mood. Food gives people the energy to do the rounds and ensures none of your guests are “hangry!”
For a laid-back gathering, chips with dips, party mixes, candies or nuts are perfect offerings. On the other hand, if you do have a theme for your party, you may want to prepare some snacks and dishes that resonate with the look and feel you’re going for.
Likewise, if you enjoy cooking or baking (or both), you can always whip up classic party dishes or exciting new creations to show off your culinary skills and treat your guests to new ingredients, textures, and flavors.
Ensure that you spread out the food and beverages so people will have to move around to get to them. This will encourage them to talk with others and not remain in one place.
3. Prepare a great playlist.
The music you choose for your party will undoubtedly dictate the mood of your event. Prior to the party, create a playlist filled with well-loved tunes that you know everyone will be familiar with — singing together and moving along to the same music are some of the quickest ways to encourage forming new friendships!
For a theme party, it’s a must to keep the playlist relevant. For example, if your party is ‘90s themed, make sure you include all the top hits from that decade.
Additionally, you can use a popular radio station or utilize a music streaming service like Spotify, Apple Music or Tidal to make a music playlist. Many of these streaming services already have pre-made playlists specifically made for parties.
When you are playing music, you want the sound level to be audible, but not so loud that no one can converse with each other.
4. Use scents and lights.
To create a comfortable ambiance for your event, you may want to switch off your main lights and use an assortment of fairy and string lights, lamps, and candles instead. Not only will such a setup create a relaxed and friendly mood. It will also make your space seem bigger than it actually is, while making it feel warm and welcoming.
Introducing lovely scents to your event, say through scented candles, can add another dimension to the occasion. Not only is it proven that scented candles enhance memories by 20 percent, but they also help to spark people’s imaginations, awaken nostalgia, and heighten their visual enjoyment of their surroundings.
5. Hone your hosting chops.
As a party host, it’s your job to encourage guests to mingle and chat — especially if there are people who don’t know each other yet. You’re the reason that these people have gathered together, so it’s up to you to act as the bridge between them!
If you know someone is shy, take some time to introduce them to a couple of other people you think they’ll get along with and initiate the conversation. Don’t spend all your time with one group. Ensure that you circulate and chat with everyone to help your guests feel comfortable and have a great time.
Get Ready to Party
Parties are fun but can be tiring to plan. However, with these easy-to-follow tips, you’re sure to successfully pull them off. Have fun!