Who doesn’t love throwing parties and getting the opportunity to gather with friends or loved ones from the comfort of your own home? If it’s your turn to host, you may be feeling a bit intimidated by the list of things that need to get done before the big day. However, no matter the reason for the occasion, there are a few tride and true tips that will help your guests remember you as the ‘hostest with the mostest’. So, what are you waiting for? Read on to discover the most honest tidbits of advice that every party thrower needs to hear.
Don’t be Afraid to Go All Out with your Guest List
Curating the perfect party guest list is harder than it seems, especially if you are someone who has friends from lots of different groups that don’t know each other. Despite what you may have been told, don’t be afraid to mix social circles when planning your party! After all, most people love getting to know new faces. So, invite your work connections, long-term friends, your neighbors, your cousin’s girlfriend, anyone and everyone! Just be sure to make a paperless Evite and send it out through text or email, requesting a RSVP within a few days.
Games Make Any Gathering More Entertaining
Games are a crucial component of party planning. Just think about it- imagine that your party starts off on a high-energy foot but dies down slowly after a few hours. If you don’t have any games on hand, your guests are left with nothing to do, and they are more likely to ditch the gathering and return home. But, if you are prepared with a variety of games for different preferences, there are many reasons to stick around. Think about what your friends will enjoy the most, from card games to board games, ‘minute to win it’ style games, or trivia, there are plenty of options. For example, poker is generally a great choice because it is competitive, entertaining, and the basic rules are quite simple to grasp. If you know in advance that your guests do not know anything about the strategic card game, you may want to recommend that they practice online. They can review this map to discover where virtual poker in US is fully regulated. If you are located outside of the states, a quick google search will be able to tell you all you need to know. Also, because over a dozen people can play together at a time, Poker is an ideal party game. This is just one suggestion, but you will need to think about which games are best for your specific group. The bottom line: some games are better than no games!
Decorations Help to Set the Mood
In the same way that games help to liven up a party, so do decorations! Take a little extra time to clean up, and adorn your home with tinsel, balloons, and confetti galore. While you’re at it, why not pick a theme? If you know you’ll be playing Poker, the theme could be ‘Under the Bright Lights of Vegas’, for example. If it’s a birthday party, opt for a theme you know would spark your guest’s interest. Many hosts leave out these trimmings because they assume they are too expensive and ultimately unnecessary. However, there are many low-cost décor ideas that can spice up your space and are not time consuming. Hanging leftover flowers is an example of a small decoration that instantly beautifies any corner of a room, and costs nothing at all! If this sounds interesting to you, check out this useful guide on how to dry bouquets.
If you’re next in line to host your friends, be sure to plan your grocery list in advance so that everyone is well-fed
Prepare all Food and Snacks in Advance
One of the best pieces of advice hosts should keep in mind when throwing a party is to prep, prep, prep! The kitchen is the last place you want to be when your guests are having fun in the other room. To avoid this, try to get all your shopping done beforehand and make appetizer platters that can be stored or refrigerated until guests arrive. Of course, remember to be a good host by refilling your guests’ drinks and plates without them having to ask. Also, there is no such thing as ‘over buying’ for a party, so don’t be afraid to write a hefty grocery list.
