Common Hosting Questions & Answers

How do I plan a party timeline?

• Planning a timeline of events will ensure the party goes smoothly. To do this, have rough timeslots for when you want things to occur.
  • For example: How early set-up will be, when will YOU get ready, when will you be serving food, approximate time dessert/coffee will be set out, what time you expect guests to leave, etc.
• Having a ROUGH timeline will allow you to stay in control and stress-free while still allowing room for delays or set-backs.

Tip* Always allow an hour or so cushion for late arrivals, food casualties, or delayed deliveries and don't expect things to go perfectly as planned.

What are some easy appetizers I can make for my guests?

• We all want impressive party appetizer recipes that can be prepared ahead of time and served to guests upon arrival.
• I suggest serving party appetizers that are finger food friendly or can be made in advance. This way you can set it out and forget out.
  • My favorites are Crostini, Individual Dips, and my Arugula Feta Flatbread w/ Balsamic Glaze.

Tip* Serve heavy appetizers that are filling so you don't have to serve a main course. My Lamb Meatballs and my Pull Apart Philly Cheesesteak Sliders are great go-to's!

How do I create a welcoming atmosphere for my guests?

• Creating a warm and inviting ambiance is absolutely CRUCIAL for any gathering! It's easy to do this with some seasonal decor, lighting hacks, and a few other things that are inexpensive.
  • Turn OFF the overhead lights. They are often too harsh for a cozy welcoming get-together. Setting up flameless candles around the room will help to create a relaxing atmosphere.
  • Turn ON all lamps around the house.
  • Turn ON some background music before guests arrive. (Choose the music based on the party.) Lively or relaxing? It will determine the mood for the entire party.
  • Offer comfortable/extra seating. This may mean purchasing extra chairs, poofs, ottomans, or stools.
  • Set out some appetizers or snacks for guests to nibble on while waiting for food.

What are some fun activities or games I can incorporate into my party?

• The best hosts look for ideas to keep their guests entertained and engaged throughout the event, whether through games, activities, or other forms of entertainment.
• Some of my favorite things are games that can be played either individually or with a partner.
• Popular games are:
  • Cornhole- One of the most common games to play outdoors that everyone loves.
  • Tiki Toss- This is a great outdoor game to play on the deck or patio in the warmer months.
  • Charades- An easy party games to play without having to set much up. Just pull a card and start acting! There's no limit of payers either.
  • Processo Pong- A fancier version of beer pong that allows you to use champagne glasses and bubbly!
  • Truth or Drink: A fun game to break the ice with your guests that doesn't require any money since all questions are online.
  • Trivia Game: This can be party of the party theme or general trivia.
• Popular activities involve:
  • Karaoke- This may require a karaoke machine but is 100% worth it.
  • A DIY food bar: My Nacho Bar and my Fountain Bar are both hands-on and super fun to create your own edible creations!
  • A Blind Wine Tasting: This is so fun to do with a group of 12 or less. Serve with a cheese board and I bet everyone will enjoy themselves!
  • Photo Booth: This is a popular thing for both kids and adults to enjoy. It can be themed or general. Set up a table with these props and a backdrop for all to take photos.

How do I accommodate guests with dietary restrictions?

• Good hosts want to ensure that all of their guests can enjoy the food and drinks offered at their party, so try to find out if any of your guests avoid certain foods or drinks.
• The most common allergies are dairy and gluten which is why I recommend having at least one dish that is both DF and GF like my Fried Zucchini Chips or my Melitzanosalata (served with GF pita!)

What's the best way to handle RSVPs and manage the guest list?

• Managing RSVPs and keeping track of the guest list can be challenging. It's best to find an efficient and polite way to handle this so you aren't being pushy or unwelcoming.
• Without knowing the number of guests to expect, planning a party can be almost impossible.
• I suggest sending evites through email or text. This will automatically send your guests a reminder to RSVP a set amount of days before the party.
• Always have your guests reach out at least a week before!

How can I make sure my party stays within budget?

• Budgeting for a party can be tricky! Many of us want to know how to plan a memorable event without overspending.
• The key is to spend wisely. Think about what you want to serve for food since food often ends up costing the most.
  • To save on food, ask guests to bring your own dish or set a pot luck theme. This way you won't have to worry about spending money or time prepping food.
  • Serve a Pasta Bar! Pasta is incredibly CHEAP and this bar cost me less than $30 to set up!
• Make your own decorations!
  • DIY party decorations don't need to be complicated. Use construction paper and cut out triangles. String a ribbon or balloon string through the top and you have a fun DIY banner!
  • Head to the dollar store. They have a ton of cheap decorations for any occasion.
• Serve a Sangria or Margarita Pitcher: It goes a long way and is inexpensive. I will make a batched sangria in a drink dispenser and set it up early on for guests to help themselves.

What's the proper etiquette for hosting guests in my home?

• Proper hosting etiquette can be tricky and subjective. It also depend son the party and people staying. But some things like greeting guests, introducing strangers, and managing conflicts, are common and need to have a game plan.
  • Greet guests at the door if you can. (With a drink is even better!)
  • If you have people at your party who do not know eachother, introduce them right away and mention something they do have in common.
  • If there's a potential conflict, designate someone you trust be the go-to person to break it up. This might be a personality conflict, agressive behavior, or something else.
• Always tell guests to make themselves at home. Have food, drinks and everything else easily accessible for all to grab on their own!

How do I handle unexpected situations or problems that arise during the party?

• Despite careful planning, unexpected issues may arise during a party.
• How we hostesses handle them can be tricky but takes a lot of patience and grace!
  • First off, ask for help! Most people will be willing to jump in to assist you if something breaks or there's not enough food. Take them up on their help and do so calmly.
  • Laugh it off. Nothing will ruin a party more than an angry or upset host! No one will judge you if something out of the ordinary happens. But they will judge you if you act like a crying mess.

What should I do after the party is over?

• Believe it or not, there IS proper etiquette for post-party tasks, such as cleaning up, sending thank-you notes, and collecting feedback from guests.
• First things first, say THANK YOU! Thanking your guests for coming over and bringing a gift if they did, is part of being a gracious host.
• Secondly, write down the things that you could have done better. Doing this while the party is still fresh in your mind is important.
  • This is usually the small things like, add an extra trash can outdoors, set out more appetizer plates, place the water jug near the food, etc. Things that guests may have asked you for or looked for are clues.
  • What caused you to run around last minute? What did you forget to pull out? What was the most stressful part? Write these answers down so next time, you have a plan of attack.