Everyone loves a good party. You’ve got great food, tasty drinks, and fantastic company, all of which add up to a brilliant time. However, planning a good party is far more difficult than you might think. It might seem like a good idea when you first think of hosting a party, but then all of the little complications start to show up.
If you want to host a party that everyone will remember for the right reasons, you need to be prepared well in advance. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be as stressful as you might think. Once you know what you’re doing, things can simply fall into place. First, you just need to get there.
Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash
Plan Your Theme
Parties are by no means created equally. There is a huge variety of parties that you can host and the type of party that you’re planning changes so much about how you plan it. First, how many people will be at the party?
A small get-together is a far cry from a huge party and will determine how much you need to spend and how much help you will need. The amount of people also impacts the type of party you host. For example, if you want to host a dinner party from home, then you can’t invite too many people.
Once you know how many people are coming, you can decide on what theme to have. You could host a relaxed party where you and a few friends simply get together and enjoy each other's company. Or you might go all out on a themed party, with costumes and activities for everyone to get involved in.
If people are expected to wear costumes or do something special for your party, then make sure that you tell them well in advance so that they can prepare accordingly. This means that everyone is bound to have a great time.
The type of party will impact who you invite, what you serve, what you do, and how you decorate your home. This is why it’s the first thing to consider.
The Guest List
The most important part of any party is the people. It doesn’t matter how amazing everything else is, if the guest list isn’t right, then the party won’t be what you hoped it would be. One pitfall when hosting a party is feeling obliged to invite everyone you know.
Sometimes, this is a great idea. If you’re planning a large event, then the more the merrier. However, more people means more complications. You will need to accommodate these people in your venue, which means spending money on a place big enough to safely hold your guests. You might also need to spend more on food, alcohol, and even security.
In most cases, your party will have a set guest list. This prevents things from getting out of hand and allows you to plan an event that everyone will enjoy. You can include plus ones on your guest list or not, just make sure you know who’s coming well in advance of the actual party.
If possible, ask people to RSVP beforehand. This makes your life easier. True, sometimes things crop up and people can’t make it, but you ideally want to invite people who you can rely on. It’s also a good idea to ask people to bring something, whether it’s food or drink. This lowers your costs and means that everyone has something that they like.
The Venue
Depending on the number of people coming to your party, you will need to consider where you’re hosting it. A small party can be easily hosted in your home, which is cheaper and far easier to prepare. However, sometimes it’s necessary to hire a hall or other venue. If this is the case, then make sure that you have a venue well in advance so that you can get it ready.
No venue will be automatically ready for your party, including your home. You will at least need to spend a few hours tidying the place up, but you might consider decorating the venue to reflect your theme.
If you’re hosting at home, then try to get the decorating and cleaning done a few hours before the party starts, so you’re ready for anyone who comes early. Don’t be afraid to rope people into helping either.
Outside Help
Some larger parties would benefit from hiring some outside help. For example, caterers and mobile bars can provide professional-quality food for your party, as well as cutting down on your workload.
You can also hire entertainers, such as a live band, to make the event really special. Just make sure that your venue can accommodate their needs as well as everything else, and that there is food available for service providers.
If you’re hosting a large party, then it could be a good idea to hire an events planner or a party planner to help with the details. They will know other vendors and could help you get some great package deals for an easy yet amazing party.
Food and Drinks
While the people are the most important part of your event, food and drinks are up there in importance. If people are hungry and thirsty, they aren’t having a good time. The type of food and drinks that you provide depends on the kind of party you’re throwing, as well as your guests.
If you’re hosting a dinner party, then the food matters far more than if you’re hosting a dance party or a film marathon. You will need to put together a menu and make sure that you accommodate any food allergies or other restrictions. Ask people what they can and can’t eat beforehand so that you’re prepared.
Otherwise, you can simply put together some easy party foods and a few drinks. Ideally, choose food that you can prepare the day before so that you’re doing less on the party day itself. This is also true for dinner parties, as it makes you less stressed and allows you to enjoy yourself as you should.
As mentioned before, it’s often appropriate to ask guests to bring something to contribute to the food and drinks. This lowers your costs and means that you have one less thing to worry about.
Activities and Gifts
When you plan the theme for your party, you should also come up with different activities. Most parties do have something to keep people entertained, even if its something as simple as some music for people to listen to.
Other parties are based around certain activities. For example, a themed murder mystery dinner party is a great deal of fun and involves people being able to relax, enjoy a good meal, great company, and solve a mystery while pretending to be someone else. Some themed parties include costumes and characters, which are a great deal of fun.
Other, more relaxed parties could include playing video games or watching films. Movie marathons aren’t just for kids, they can be a great way for adults to get together and chill out while enjoying snacks. You can go all out and have a party themed around the films or franchise, or have a slumber party. Just make sure that everyone is happy with the entertainment.
It’s often nice to include gifts so that people have something to remember the party by. Whether you’re hosting a party for children or adults, party bags as provided by Mato & Hash can include goodies for people to take home with them.
