My first time having a party help!

uscalma34

Hello,

This weekend we are having a house warming/baby shower at my house. While I've helped throw parties before, they have never been held at my house. I'm a little nervous. Is there any tip/ pointers/ ideas for hosting a party at your house? Thanks for any words of wisdom. 

 

 

erosa

Try to do as much as possible ahead of time... If you're cooking anything try to cook things that just need reheating.  The last thing you wanna do it be cooking while pple are in your house.  Also, solicit some help.  If you have any close friends, designate different people to be in charge of different things.

sjb&apa

I always try to do as much cleaning and food prep as I can the day before to make the day of the party go smoothly and be less stressful.

For your first party, I would try to plan food & drinks that are easy. For example, cold appetizers can be made in advance, as opposed to hot things that you'll have to bake/cook after guests arrive. Beer & wine is more simple to serve than mixed drinks. An entree like lasagna can be assembled in advance so all you have to do during the party is stick the pan in the oven.

Don't forget to plan some time on the party day to get yourself dressed and ready - you don't want to be so rushed with food and house cleaning that you don't have time to get yourself ready.

I always make lists of every little thing I need to do, so I'm sure I didn't forget anything. I'm a compulsive list maker :-)

lsgarver

Weeks ahead of time, make a list of tasks and assign deadlines for them.  You can order online invitations weeks in advance, you can buy decorations 2 weeks in advance, you can clean the guest room and guest bathroom days ahead of time, you can vacuum 2 days ahead of time, you can make food and set the table the day before, etc.  Some things like making perishable or hot food, buying balloons or flowers and taking the final sweep of pet hair off the sofa can only be done the day of the party.

Take a look at that list and find at least 3 things that you could do without--give these low priority.  If you get to them, great; if not, the party will still be a success.  For me, these are often things like extra desserts, signature drinks, fancier tablescapes, favors and entryway or outdoor decorations.

Set your last deadline at least an hour before the start time to give youself time to shower and get ready.  Just before the start time, go around the house with a bin to pick up stray clutter, a spray bottle and paper towel to catch over-looked dust and a lighter to light candles.

Know that it's very likely something will get spilled or broken and prepare yourself to deal with it gracefully.  If you've ever been to a party where the hostess flips out over a shattered wineglass or meatball gone AWOL, you know how awkward that can be.

The morning of the party, empty your dishwasher so everything you use to prep food on the day of can go in there, hidden away and ready to be cleaned as soon as the party is over.

Stock the bathrooms with extra toilet paper, soap and handtowels.

Don't forget lots of ice--people will make do with different beverages if their favorite is out but there's not much you can do without ice.

Make a playlist way in advance so all you have to do it turn on the iPod.

Don't make dishes you've never made before--surprises can crop up and you want to be totally in control of how the menu tastes and is prepared.  Don't sweat it if you aren't an experienced cook or don't have the time.  Warehouse clubs and grocery stores have a decent selection of apps that just need to be heated.

Consider your set up.  In my house, the dining room table is usually in the middle of the room but parties flow better with it pushed up against the wall.  Think about moving your furniture, especially seating, slightly to allow traffic flow and easy access to a place to sit.

Don't underestimate the power of throwing all your crap in a bedroom closet and shutting the door.  If it's down to cleaning the bedroom or taking a shower, throw all the crap in the closet and take a shower.  No one will know/care.

HAVE FUN.  A stressed hostess will kill a party and make everyone feel uncomfortable.