{Collaborative Post} Hosting a gathering at home or a party both inside and outside of the home can be a fun time. However, there is a lot of planning and forethought that needs to go into hosting the perfect get-together regardless of the situation. Be it spending a special day with family at home, or planning a surprise 40th birthday party. It pays to know exactly what you need to do before the day arrives to help you host the perfect gathering.
Define your guest list
Before doing anything else, do
you know who you are inviting? Who or what is the gathering for, and who do you
want to be there? Particular get-togethers will dictate your guest list; for
example, family parties will be family and significant others only, birthday
parties can be anyone associated with the guest of honour and so on. Also, the
size of your space will dictate your guest list or where you are hosting your
party too - some venues are strictly over 18s only, and others will have guest
safety limits and legal regulations.
Stock up the bar
You need a fully stocked bar
with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. This way, you can cater for
guests of all ages and drinking preferences. From beers and wines to spirits
and a cocktail
kit, you can find both alcoholic and
non-alcoholic versions of all the most popular drinks so people can pick and
choose what to drink and whether or not they want to consume alcohol. Have
plenty of soft drinks and water to hand, and don't forget the ice and
garnishes, too - lemons, limes, berries, mint etc. are all great additions to
drinks and can set your "bar" apart.
Have plenty of snacks
A good gathering always has
plenty of snacks, and you don't want to run out. This is as well as a meal if
you are providing this. Keep things light and tasty with nibbles and finger foods people can dip in and out of. Chips and dips are a popular addition, as are nuts if
no one has an allergy. Cheese, crackers, and canopies are all excellent
choices. Tailor your snack choices to the theme of the party and your guests to
ensure there is something for everyone.
Choose a theme
Certain times of the year are
better for hosting events than others. If there is a specific reason for your
gathering, like a birthday or holiday, it will make it easier to plan.
Depending on the time of year, you may have specific limitations regarding
weather, noise or hosting outside. This is where a theme can help you steer
clear of these issues.
Get the guests mingling.
While it's essential to chat
with all of your guests, getting them to interact with each other is even more
critical. To help encourage mingling, you can plan a few party games
or activities to get guests talking and
interacting with each other. You can have guests play a trivia game, play a
card or board game, or even host a mini-version of a talent show. Any of these
activities will get the guests talking, laughing and interacting.
Conclusion
Hosting an event can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be. Now that you know what to do, you can host the perfect gathering at your home. Following these tips can help make your gathering a fun and memorable experience for you and your guests.
