5 Easy Steps to Hosting a Wonderful Party!

Have you ever wanted to have the reputation of hosting the BEST parties in town?  Well, here are some easy steps to acquire that reputation you’ve always wanted, without spending a lot of cash!

1. After you’ve decided to have that special get-together, the first thing to do is send out invitations.  Not just any old invitation, but an invitation that reflects the type of party you’re having.  Your invitations set the tone for the festivities!  For example, if it’s a formal dinner party, send an invitation that looks like a tux with a bow tie, or send a note with all the party info attached to a real bow tie.  Find miniature bottles of champagne or fake bottles and attach a beautiful handwritten card as the invitation. Whatever the theme, your invitation should convey it.  Use your imagination and peak everyone’s interest. 
2. Plan your menu.  Whether you’re planning a full dinner or just appetizers, keep it simple.  Don’t try a new recipe for the first time for this occasion, unless you have a backup plan in case the new dish doesn’t turn out like you planned. Instead, use a tried and true menu that you’ve cooked many times.  Whatever you decide on, be sure that it’s something that you can prepare ahead of time, like the day before the party.  If you can’t pre-cook the entire menu, you should be able to prepare at least 98% of it in advance.  This saves time and stress on party day.  Besides, who wants to cook all day and try to party all night?
3. Choose and decorate the venue.  Whether it’s outside or inside, you’ve got to set the mood.  You will do this by decorating the space and setting it up for the party. Again, the rule of thumb is keeping it simple.  It can be simple and still look fabulous if you plan well.  Be sure the party site is inviting.  If it’s an evening setting, us lighting to set the mood.  Indoors or out, candles and other forms of ambient light can be used.  Use flowers, candles, and wonderful scents to set the mood.  To make this party memorable you must engage all the senses: sight, smell, sound and touch.   When your guests arrive they should see the beautiful setting you’ve arranged for them, also set out flowers and potpourri to send nice fragrances throughout the space.  Have appropriate music playing in the background, not too loud, so that conversation can be held without shouting. Place small favors at each place setting or if this is a cocktail party, have favors positioned on a tray or table in an imaginative way.  For example, if you have favors in small gift boxes or small Chinese take out boxes, stack them in a pyramid in the center of the dessert table.  Each person gets to take one box off the pyramid. Again, use your imagination!  Also, give thought to traffic paths.  Make sure guests can move around freely and have several places for guests to congregate.
4. When you host a party for more than 10 guests, enlist the help of friends or family to help you mingle and make sure everyone is having a good time.  If you’re serving drinks, hire a bartender or ask a friend to do this.  Check with bartending schools in your area. The students won’t charge as much because they’re learning and this is a good chance for them to get experience.  Now, you are free to mingle!
5. Enjoy the party.  If you’ve planned and prepared ahead of time, you’ll be refreshed and free to enjoy yourself.  Now, you’ll be the talk of the town!