It seemed like the perfect plan when you dreamt it up, suggested and confirmed it as in the diary after a few margaritas. Everyone round to yours tomorrow, for a huge feast, lots of booze and lots of laughter. But in the morning, with the headache and realisation of the work ahead both bearing down on you, things don’t look so rosy. Well, for those impromptu times when you’re seeking to impress, we’re here to help. Here are our 10 tips for hosting the IDEAL get-together.
DON’T BOTHER WITH SPOTLESS CLEAN
There’s absolutely nothing to gain by cleaning your home from top to bottom to an immaculate level, prior to the party. By the time just one or two guests have arrived, chances are it’s going to be messy again. Get your guests in a similar state, and no one will notice anyway. They’re here for the food, the fun and the laughter. Instead, straighten a few things up and get the rooms, such as bathroom, which people will definitely see, looking shipshape.
REARRANGE YOUR FURNITURE
Arrange the layout of the venue strategically so that your guests have no choice but to mingle; too many comfy seats equals a sedate, solemn occasion. Distribute snacks and drinks in various strategic points about the place which encourage standing, removing any temptation to simply sit around and not get involved.
BUFFET, FINGER FOOD & SNACKS
Always remember that finger food and snacks are significantly easier to coordinate than a full-blown, sit down, three course meal. What’s more, guests usually feel more comfortable helping themselves, as and when they want to. If you’re pressed for time, it’s also worth remembering that just about any food of any quantity on the face of the earth can now be delivered. Save yourself a huge amount of time and effort by ordering out, rather than catering yourself.
GET A CATERER
Continuing with that theme, why not consider hiring large self-catering accommodation for the party, rather than using your own home? If you simply do not have the space and facilities to cater to the crowd, short lets or party houses really can be a godsend. You even could pretend it’s your own, if you have a devious streak.
BE MINDFUL OF THE GUESTLIST
With the risk of offending your nearest and dearest, be realistic when it comes to how many people you can and should invite. It’s far better to have a relatively small guest list than one you cannot cope with when they all turn up at once. You really don’t have to please everyone.
SET A SPECIFIC BUDGET FOR YOUR PARTY
As we all know, food and drink can get expensive and the spirit of party enthusiasm can get us carried away. Instead, set a specific budget for your party, in order to ensure a level of self discipline in the party planning phase. Get-togethers have a habit of becoming quite expensive if not carefully budgeted for, from start to finish.
ASK YOUR GUESTS TO BRING SOMETHING
Another budget friendly option, this; make it clear to your guests that they are ‘welcome’ to bring something along. Alcohol, soft drinks, snacks and so on – sharing the responsibility and the expense can make things that little bit easier for everyone. If your cooking’s terrible, this could save you a fair amount of embarrassment. If it’s great, then the favourable comparisons will do your ego no harm at all.
HAVE A CONTINGENCY PLAN
If planning a get-together outdoors, you’ll also need to bear weather-based threats in mind. After all, it’s not as if the Great British weather can be counted on even at the best of times. To save your soiree from the rain, have a gazebo ready, or indoor space big enough to accommodate, to avoid any unnecessary, unexpected scrambles from an outburst of heavy rain.
DON’T FORGET THE MUSIC
Think very carefully about the music or any other entertainment you intend to provide for your guests. It can be something of a balancing act, given that you need to ensure it suits the tastes of everyone at the party. Always remember that just because you like it, it doesn’t mean the same can be said for your guests, so go for something (and we hate to say this) inoffensive.
DON’T STRESS
Last but not least, remember to not to stress yourself out. Everyone is willing the event to be a success, for your sake as well as for selfish reasons, so let your hair down and enjoy yourself!