Hosting a party can be a lot of work, but it's definitely worth it when you see your friends having a good time. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips and tricks for throwing a successful party at home.
We'll cover everything from choosing the right food and drinks to keeping your guests entertained. So, whether you're planning a birthday party, holiday celebration, or just-for-fun get-together, read on for some helpful advice!
How To Entertain At Home
- Get a headcount.
- Plan a menu.
- Decide the drinks.
- Buy decorations.
- Entertainment
- Invitations.
- Set up the party space..
- Pull out entertaining pieces.
- Do a test run.
- Greet your guests.
- Make sure everyone is having a good time.
- Take pictures.
1. Get A Headcount
This requires planning ahead.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's worth mentioning nonetheless. The worst thing you can do when hosting a party is wing it. Planning ahead will save you a lot of stress (and money) in the long run.
Get a headcount first. This requires asking for guests to RSVP. Set a deadline early enough for you to plan properly.
Make a list of everything you need to do and buy, and give yourself plenty of time to get it all done. This way, you'll be able to relax and enjoy the party instead of running around like a chicken with its head cut off!
2. Planning Out The Food Menu
One of the most important aspects of any party is the food. You want to make sure you have enough for everyone, and that it's something your guests will actually enjoy eating.
If you're not sure what to serve, try asking your guests in advance if they have any dietary restrictions or food allergies including vegan options. This way, you can make sure everyone has something they can eat and enjoy.
As far as quantity goes, a good rule of thumb is to plan for two to three pieces of food per person. This may seem like a lot, but remember that people tend to grazing at parties rather than sit down for a formal meal.
It's always better to have too much food than not enough but approximate the portions the best you can!
Here are some of my favorite party foods:
59 Mini Appetizers For Any Party
38 Bite Size Foods Perfect For Catering
Baked Ham n' Cheese Sandwiches
3. Decide What Drinks To Serve
Another important consideration for your party is what drinks to serve. You can serve upscale drinks or simple mocktails.
If you're serving alcohol, be sure to have a variety of options for your guests. This includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. You don't want anyone to feel left out or like they can't participate in the festivities because they're not drinking alcohol.
Check out my best cocktails you can serve!
Check out my best mocktails to serve!
If you're not sure what kind of drinks to serve, try asking your guests in advance if they have any preferences. This way, you can make sure everyone has something they enjoy drinking.
4. Decide On Decorations
We can't forget about the decorations! A few simple streamers and balloons can go a long way in transforming your home into a party haven.
You can also get creative with this and personalize your decor to match the theme of your event.
For example, if you're throwing a Halloween party, hang some spooky spider webs around the house. Or, if you're having a summer bash, put up some brightly-colored lanterns and umbrellas. If it's a tiktok party, stick with the color theme of teal and pink!
5. Entertainment
No party is complete without some form of entertainment. Whether you choose to play music, have a movie marathon, or just catch up on some conversation, it's important to keep your guests entertained.
If you're stuck for ideas, consider hiring a band or DJ, renting a photobooth, or setting up some fun games like charades or trivia.
6. Invitations
One final tip for throwing a successful party is to send out invitations in advance.
This will give your guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and RSVP. You can either hand-deliver the invitations or send them electronically via email or social media.
Just make sure you include all of the important details, such as the date, time, location, and dress code (if applicable).
7. Set Up The Party Space
First, you'll want to make sure there's enough seating for everyone. This may require pulling out extra chairs or even renting some additional furniture.
Second, you'll want to create a clear path from the entrance to the exit. This will help guests move around freely and avoid any potential accidents.
Last, you'll want to think about the lighting. You don't want your guests stumbling around in the dark, so be sure to turn on all the lights and open up any curtains or blinds.
Cleaning the house before your event is extremely necessary unless you want your company over run your house. No one likes a messy house, not even your own mother. If you want to avoid the pre-party jitters, make sure your place is clean before everyone arrives.
This also requires setting the mood with music. Select a playlist that will definitely set the mood for your party. You should have a mix of fast and slow songs to keep people entertained and dancing all night long!
8. Pull Out Entertaining Pieces
This is something no one talks about but is super important.
Every item you plan on using for food, drinks and serving, pull out in advance.
Label the items with a post-it note and place them aside but still visible so you don't forget about them. Plan on what foods and drinks you will be serving in what.
Place all utencils you plan on using to serve the food next to or inside the serving platters.
Set out all ingredients that are shelf stable near the items if possible.
10. Do a test run.
Make any food or drinks you plan on serving in advance if possible. This will allow you to determine how long it will take for everything to be ready.
How long can the food be left out? How will you keep the food warm? Will crispy foods stay crispy? If not, maybe we wait until last minute to prepare the fries or chicken.
Does the pasta dry out faster than you thought? Think about adding the sauce last minute.
Will the drink you plan on serving be watered down quickly? Maybe we freeze fruit in advance instead?
11. Greet your guests.
This is SO important and something that guests appreciate SO much.
Imagine walking into a home. You don't know anyone. You can't find the host. And you don't know where to go.
It's a miserable experience off the bat and can ruin the night.
For the host, it just takes a minute to say hi and introduce your guest to others.
So keep an eye on the door or better yet, hang a sign on the door that says, "Come On In!". This is my favorite thing to do that people appreciate.
12. Make sure everyone is having a good time
Yes this IS your job. If you notice some guests are bored, think about introducing them to another guest you think they will get along with.
It's a good idea to always have a BACK UP PLAN in mind.
This could be a few fun shooters, a frozen daquiri or some simple store-bought appetizer up your sleeve.
Tip* Purchase the pre-made appetizers like eggrolls, taquitos, cheesesteak bites or spanakopita that just need to be reheated OR some pre-mixed cocktails you pull out of your freezer and toss in a blender.
13. Take pictures
This is something I ALWAYS forget to do. If you keep your phone handy, it will be easier.
Or designate someone to be the photographer. Then they can simply airdrop or send you those photos after the party.
Don't forget to snap photos of the food, decor and drinks!
Guests will appeciate the memories and so will YOU!
Final Hosting Tips
Hosting a party can be a lot of fun - but only if it's well-planned!
By following these tips, you're sure to throw a bash that your friends will be talking about for months to come. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your next big event! And don't forget to invite me! I wouldn't want to miss out on all the fun!
Do you have any tips for throwing a successful party? Share them with me in the comments below! I have tons of great ideas to help you make the most of the warmer months! Until next time, party on! 🙂
Tried the recipe? I'd love to hear your thoughts below!