Who ever said you needed to be perfect to host a party? There is so much stress these days to hosting the perfect party. We see it in magazines, online and, of course, on social media. Let me assure you, you do not have to be perfect nor do you even have to host the perfect party for your guests to have fun. Here are my five top party hosting tips. Remember, the focus should be on the guest’s enjoyment, not making the party social media picture perfect.
These tips will help you get through hosting your party with ease.
1. Use Paper
Use paper products instead of dishes. Save time before and after the party by serving the meal on paper or plastic dishes rather than your daily dishes. There are so many designs and colors to choose from these days you are sure to find something perfect for your party.
2. Simplify the Menu
Keep the food simple
If you can, prepare as much of the food a day ahead of time. This will allow you more time on the day of the party to focus on last minute details that couldn’t be done earlier. It also gives you more time to relax. (Need a last minute checklist to get you ready for your party? Check out my Last Minute Party Checklist here)
Buy pre-made foods
There are so many affordable options available at grocery stores these days that taste great! Find some things you have already tried and really like and buy it for the party. Focus your time and energy on preparing party foods that are your specialty dishes.
Simple appetizers
While I could make a meal out of appetizers, you don’t want the guests to fill up on appetizers if you have been slaving away making a full dinner. Buy some simple appetizers like cheese and crackers for the appetizer. Grab some olives and other marinated or pickled items at the olive bar at the grocery store and set this out before dinner as a snack. Place some bottles of wine mixed in on the cheese board and you just stepped it up a couple notches!
3. Decorating Made Easy
Reuse Decorations
If decorating, use what you may already have in your house. Or use decorations from previous parties. You can also find some great seasonal items at hobby and craft stores at reasonable prices.
(Check out my post How to Recycle Your Party Decorations )
Easy Centerpiece Idea
Just need a quick centerpiece? Buy some fresh cut flowers and place into a vase. Personally, I have recently noticed beautiful and reasonably priced flowers at Trader Joe’s. I’m also loving the flowers at the local farmer’s market this summer.
4. Dress it up!
Buy premixed drinks – such as Jose Cuervo margaritas and pour them into a pitcher. Voila!
Transfer store bought items into your own serving platters. If you’re going to buy items from the store, dress it up quickly and easily by transferring it to a serving dish. There are a couple places near us that have amazing salads. I’d rather buy that salad than buy all the ingredients to recreate the salad. (Big time saver too!) When it’s time to serve, I dump the salad into a nice serving dish I have (or even a plastic dish, if the dish matches the theme decor) and serve it that way instead of in the takeout container. If a guest asks for a recipe of something I bought, I openly tell the guest where I bought the item. I have no shame in doing that.
5. Let the Music Play
No time to create a perfectly tailored playlist? Leave it up to a music streaming app that has radio streaming services like Pandora.
You ARE the Perfect Party Host
These five tips can help you create a fabulous party that will make hosting a breeze. And when your guests are having a great time, take a picture of that! Your picture perfect party should be of you and your guests enjoying each other’s company, and post that on social media. You don’t need formal dinnerware, a gourmet 10 course meal, or social media perfect decorations to have a perfectly enjoyable party with your friends. So stop stressing and start hosting!
Get your free copy of the Weekly Pre-Party Planning Checklist to help you plan your party.
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