Throwing a successful, fun party takes more than just the right decorations and food; you also need to consider how to ensure the guests remain entertained throughout the night. Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or an extravaganza, there are key steps you can take to ensure your event is remembered for all the right reasons.
Benefits of Planning Ahead
The key to any great event is in the preparation: setting a time and place, issuing invitations, and making sure there are enough refreshments for everyone. Making one special effort, such as shopping for flowers or placing a centerpiece on each table, can make all the difference. You should also make sure that you have enough furniture and seating available to accommodate all your guests. Having sufficient planning time ensures that you’re not scrambling at the last minute to get your venue prepared.
Ideas for Creative Decorations
No party is complete without the right decorations, and with a bit of creativity, you can give your guests something to remember. Although balloons are a classic choice, there are many unique alternatives that can set your party apart from the rest. Assemble wall hangings from old picture frames, and line them with antique photos or family artwork. For an outdoor venue, adorn trees and bushes with strings of twinkling lights or colorful paper lanterns. Or, if your event is put on with a particular motif in mind, be sure to use decorations that reflect the theme.
Music and Entertainment Options
No party would be complete without music! Whether you prefer a low-key background soundtrack or a high-energy dance setting, be sure to choose music that will bring your guests together and get them in the party mood. Live music, such as bands or DJs, is also an excellent way to fill the room with sound while providing some fun and unusual entertainment. Depending on the size of your event, you can also think about involving some type of comedic performance, like a magician or improv troupe.
Tips for Engaging Conversation
If your event is likely to involve strangers or people who don’t know each other well, it’s important to create an environment conducive to conversation. To encourage people to mix and mingle, consider preparing fun icebreakers such as a “Name That Tune” game or a trivia challenge. Or perhaps pick a whimsical theme for the evening, such as “Come As Your Favorite Film Character” or “Dress To Match Your Heritage”. Setting up an interesting discussion topic, such as “What Change Would You Make To The World?” is also an effective way to get people interacting with each other.
Ideas for Fun Party Games
Who doesn’t love a laugh-out-loud game? From Twister to Cards Against Humanity, party games can turn any evening into an unforgettable occasion. If you’re hosting a themed party, choose classic board games such as Clue or Monopoly that can easily be adapted; combine two wildly different ones such as Apples To Apples and Trivial Pursuit; or take advantage of the wide range of games available now on your smartphone or tablet. You could even create you own game with household items such as egg cartons and rubber bands!
What to Serve at the Party
Choosing the right food for your event can be a difficult task – getting the balance between cost and taste is always a struggle. On one hand, you want to make sure people have something yummy to snack on during the night; on the other, you don’t want to overspend on expensive gourmet foods. A great way to have your cake (or in this case, your cookies) and eat it too is by combining homemade dishes with store-bought items. For something substantial, put out platters of cheese and crackers beside hot dishes served in mini-casseroles.
Strategies to Keep the Party Running Smoothly
Though planning ahead is essential, it’s also important to be prepared for potential problems that could arise during the event. Having extra drinks on hand never hurts; likewise, it’s wise to plan ahead for potential over-indulgers. Also, it’s always prudent to have someone designated to monitor games and activities in order to ensure everyone is having fun safely. If the weather isn’t cooperating, create inviting nooks using couches and blankets for people to retreat to.
Dealing with Uninvited Guests
An uninvited guest can turn an otherwise wonderful evening into an unpleasant experience, so it’s important to be prepared if one turns up at your party. The polite way to handle this situation is to politely explain that the guest isn’t supposed to be there, and offer them a quick tour of the venue if possible. Letting them know that the party is private and not open to anyone else may be sufficient, but if they persist in being unwelcome – politely calling the police may be necessary.
Importance of Cleanup After the Party
Taking care of responsibilities after your party will ensure that you don’t have any extra work after everyone’s gone home. Choose a designated area or room where you can store all of your decorations, plates and cups so you can easily locate them later when it’s time for cleanup. Designate someone who will take care of all of the rubbish that has accumulated throughout the night – this could be someone’s responsibility for the duration of the party, or everyone can share in chips clean up duty. Taking care of all the details before your guests arrive ensures that you’ll have plenty of time in the morning to relax and reflect on the memories made during your event.
