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Be a good party host from prep to parting gifts
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Whether you're throwing a raging party or a small gathering, you want your guests to have a good time. By making basic preparations and inviting a dynamic group of people, you can ensure your event will succeed. Hosting a good party is all about preparation, so if you get everything ready ahead of time, you can be assured that you and your guests will have a good time all night.
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QuestionWhat are easy ways to be more budget-friendly when planning birthday parties?Rachel Weinshanker is a Certified Event and Wedding Planner and the Owner of San Diego Life Events, an award-winning wedding and event planning business based in San Diego, California. Rachel has over eight years of event planning experience, and her work has been featured in many notable publications. San Diego Life Events has been awarded the Wedding Wire Couple's Choice Award in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Rachel is a graduate from San Diego State University.
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QuestionI want to throw an end-of-school summer party, but I don't want too few or too many people there. What should l do?Tom De BackerTop AnswererFirst, determine the exact max number of people you want. This depends on many factors: budget, capacity of the location, how many people you can keep in line, etc. Next, make a new list of all the people you would hope to see there, ignoring your max for a moment. Next, compare the two numbers. If you have fewer than the max, you're fine. If you have more, you'll have to cut some people. Send out personal invitations, by name, so they know they can't just bring more people. If you feel bad for cutting some people, consider a pre-party, or an after-party at a bar where everyone is welcome and pays their own way.
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QuestionI want to throw a party for the people at my school, but I'm not sure what to do, since I want a lot of people there. What do I put in the invitation to make sure they come?Community AnswerIf you want your party to be attended by a lot of people, make the invitation on Facebook or your social media accounts. You don't have to put anything special into the invitation, except for the date, time, theme (optional) etc.
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Tips
- Keep things simple. Don’t make your party process so complicated that you never want to do it again. Prioritize big impact items, like cleaning your bathroom over cleaning your pantry or serving up a homemade entree over a fresh-cut fruit tray.Thanks
- Serve food and drinks on paper products. While this shouldn’t be done all the time (for environmental reasons), it can make your cleaning process much easier after a big party.Thanks
- Turn up the air conditioning before guests arrive, especially if you’re hosting in hot weather. Having lots of people in your home can make temperatures rise quicker than you might expect.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Choose just ONE dish to make that will impress your guests. If you've traveled somewhere this year or watched a movie set in a different country, try making something from that cuisine, like homemade sushi or a jar of sangria.
- It's easy to get stressed as a host, but try not to lose your patience or shout at anyone. This will quickly spoil the atmosphere of your party.
- For birthdays or holidays, use themed banners that spell out things like "Be Mine" or "Another Year Older."
- Make guests feel like they are at home. Give them plenty of space and seating so they feel comfortable.
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Warnings
- Ensure your guests are drinking responsibly. Stop serving if anyone’s behavior is becoming erratic, and make sure no one who seems inebriated is driving themselves home.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://jezebel.com/how-to-host-a-good-party-5805917
- ↑ https://jezebel.com/how-to-host-a-good-party-5805917
- ↑ http://www.townandcountrymag.com/the-scene/parties/a1817/how-to-be-the-best-hostess/
- ↑ http://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/12/20/how-to-be-a-party-host/
- ↑ https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/how-to/g1740/birthday-party-ideas/
- ↑ https://www.oprah.com/food/how-to-throw-a-terrific-party_1/all
- ↑ http://www.townandcountrymag.com/the-scene/parties/a1817/how-to-be-the-best-hostess/
- ↑ https://jezebel.com/how-to-host-a-good-party-5805917
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/party/birthday/themes/party-drinks-calculator/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To host a good party, send out invites ahead of time with a request for an RSVP so you can plan how much food and drink to buy. On the day, greet everyone warmly when they arrive and offer to take their coats so they feel welcome. Additionally, have upbeat music playing in the background to create a positive atmosphere. Once the party gets going, try to spend time with each guest to check that they're engaged and having fun. If you feel the conversation is dying down, mix up groups of people or introduce a shy guest to new friends. For tips on how long you'll need to prepare and how to tidy up after the party, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "People are always asking me to host something for them. I guess I look like a hostess or like I know what I'm doing! It's strange how people can see in us what we can't see in ourselves. To make a long story short, I have decided to find out more about planning events and am going to give it a try. Thanks for creating such a great site! Your wikiHow answers are always on-point and given with honesty. " ..." more
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"People are always asking me to host something for them. I guess I look like a hostess or like I know what I'm doing! It's strange how people can see in us what we can't see in ourselves. To make a long story short, I have decided to find out more about planning events and am going to give it a try. Thanks for creating such a great site! Your wikiHow answers are always on-point and given with honesty. "
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"Definitely a great article. I was planning a party with my friend and needed some information. After reading this article, I knew exactly how to host a good party. Absolutely brilliant article."
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"Introduced the common needs and environment of the guests and host. I am relieved to not have any true expectations aside from having fun. This article was truly encouraging."
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"It was a nice article. Very helpful, as it lists and reminds of the small things people tend to forget while planning a party. "
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"I like everything you do because pepole that don't know what to do, they see what to do from your website"
