If you’re prone to using any excuse for a party because you love gathering your family and friends in one place, then you know it is incredibly challenging to host one if you’re doing it all by yourself. If you’ve planned more than a few this year, then you are an experienced organiser and know the things that make a party successful. How about those looking to plan one of their own for the very first time? If that’s you, you’re in the right place.
So you wanna throw your first party but unsure how to do it? You need to first define what kind of soiree you want to do so you can plan accordingly. There are elements in some types of party that would be out of place elsewhere. In contrast, there are components that apply to almost all parties. Here are the things that you need to know:
Mind the Food
No matter what kind of party it is, there is no doubt that food is one of the highlights. And as such, you should take special care when deciding what foods to present to guests. First off, occasion-appropriate foods are a must and you need to prepare enough and maybe more in proportion to how many people are attending. It would be out of place to have chocolate pudding at a rave-party where guests could potentially drip all over their outfits in the dark. Similarly, it is inappropriate to provide greasy food like pizza for brunch at a baby shower event.
You will also need to know if you’re serving full meals or just snacks because food can take a huge portion out of your budget if you’re not careful. If the party is in a grey area, you can tell your guests ahead of time what kind of foods will be available so you can set expectations. It’s not ideal to let guests go hungry or else the party will be over before it’s halfway because most of them will be going home to grab some grub.
Cracking a Cold One with the Boys (or Girls)
Wines and beers are great for any occasion just as long as kids are not given access to it. When the gathering is tame and everyone’s had their fill of food, it’s perfectly normal to follow it with the above alcoholic beverages. They are the easiest to pour and there is no mixing involved.
For parties that are child-free, it’s time to bring out the big guns. If you have a cocktail reception, make sure it can accommodate everyone on the guest list and if you need to, hire more bartenders so that everyone gets served faster. Tastes can vary so have the basic liquor on hand as well for those who prefer to sip, sit, and talk.
Create the Right Atmosphere with Lighting and Sound
The party’s atmosphere can be set with the right sound and lighting even if it’s at night. Leaving it to silence and the occasional chatter could kill the party and can result in guests going home early. It is ideal to create a playlist for the party as it can move people to dance or energize them back to liveliness. If you have the budget or an aspiring DJ, a DJ system of your own is a worthy investment so you can impress your guests with your mixing skills. If you love throwing parties then you can reuse it over and over again.
As for the lighting, what good would a party be if everyone is literally in the dark with little to no way of seeing anything? It can be dangerous for your guests and there’s a chance they won’t ever come to one of your parties again. If you have a stage, proper lighting is essential because otherwise, no one can see anything up on the stage.
Location & Decor
If you’re having a party at home, you’re not renting anything bur the least you can do is to put up some form of decorations. Party decor can be done in a lot of ways; you can either buy pre-made stuff or make your own. If you go for either one, make sure it fits with the theme and age bracket. There are a lot of Pinterest tutorials that you can check out for inspiration.
For parties that are on rented locations, you should look out for venues that have packaged deals that include the place and food. This is useful if you want to stay on budget. Additionally, it’s best to read up on the inclusions and exclusions of the place so that you can make an informed decision.
End The Night in a Grand Way
Ending the party in style is a surefire way to get your guests to keep talking about in the next few days. Fireworks is certainly a grand exit but make sure that it’s safe for everyone.
What other things do guests look forward to in an event? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
