Are you looking to throw the best party at home but don't know where to start? Let me help you! Below I put together the ultimate guide to throwing a memorable party where your guests will be thankful they came! Before we dive in, let me share a quick story about what got me hooked on hosting memorable parties.
It was parent-teacher night.
I set out freshly baked cookies and waters on the desks at the front of the room and waited for the parents. My colleagues walked in my room with a shocked look on their faces. "Cookies Aleka?!, Really?".
Little did they know that hosting was in my blood. I can't stand but enjoy making people feel comfortable especially when they enter my space. Even if it was a math classroom.
I got this from my mother. She is a natural born hostess with the mostess. She is one of those women who thought of everyone else first. To a fault.
She would prepare everything for hours cleaning and cooking but often sacrificed sleep. She never made time to get herself ready and when her guests showed up, she looked like she got hit by a train...always with a smile.
This made her guests feel uncomfortable. Like they couldn't fully enjoy themselves because they felt guilty.
So I learned. Always take care of yourself first. Get ready. BE ready.
And since I resigned from teaching, I try to channel a few different idols of mine. Other than my mother, I love Ina Garten and her approach to hosting. She is my spirit animal.
I published a post where I share answers to common hosting issues. Check that out too!
Tip#1 Setting A Budget
Alright, first things first, we need to consider the occasion. Whether it's a birthday bash, holiday blowout, or just a good ol' fashioned get-together, knowing why you're throwing a party sets the tone for everything else especially your budget.
Do you want to spend $100? $500? $1000+? Having a budget and sticking to it will ensure your party planning has a limit which will keep things on time and limit any arguments with significant others. (Which DOES happen quite frequently I must say.)
Tip #2: Invitations
Alright, once the budget is determined, let's talk invitations! This is where the excitement for your party starts to build, right?
Remember, it's 2024 and things have changed QUITE a bit. There are:
- Electronic evites (Paperless post & Evite) are VERY popular these days. They're easy to keep track of, allow guests to quicky RSVP, and will even send reminders a week or days prior to the party.
- Facebook events are another very popular way to send invitations to friends and family. Just create the event, add a photo if you want, write the details for the party and post it! This is only good if everyone has a Meta account (aka Facebook) though.
- Paper invites are old-school but still my favorite way to send imvites! They are much more personal and fun IMO. I sent some really classy ones for my Halloween Party a few years ago using Zazzle.
Whether you're going old-school with paper invites or keeping it modern with digital ones, your invitations set the tone for the whole shindig.
For a formal event, you might opt for elegant stationery with fancy fonts and embellishments. But if it's a casual get-together, you can keep it simple and fun with colorful designs and playful wording.
Consider Timing!
You want to give your guests enough notice to clear their schedules, but you also don't want to send the invites out too early and risk them forgetting about the party. Aim to send them out about 3-4 weeks before the big day, depending on how elaborate your party plans are. A 5-6 week notice might be more appropriate for bigger parties.
Now, let's talk about the nitty-gritty details. Make sure your invitations include all the important info:
- date
- time
- location
- RSVP deadline (don't forget this one!)
- contact info
- any special instructions or party info like what to bring or wear
Oh, and one last thing: don't be afraid to get creative with your invitations! Add a personal touch by hand-writing a note or including a fun photo that captures the spirit of your party. The more excited your guests are when they receive their invitations, the more excited they'll be to RSVP "yes" and join in on the fun!
Tip #3: Theme Time!
I truly believe every party should have a theme. Pick a theme, any theme! Whether it's a '90s throwback party, a classy cocktail soirée, a spring gathering or a dinner party serving just Greek food, it is unique and unique parties are always the most memorable.
Tip #4: Plan The Food & Drinks
This is the hardest part. You have a few different options here:
For the food:
- Serve heavy appetizers- This is my favorite approach and ideal for parties with less than 15 people. I will make 3-7 different appetizers that are filling and set them out on the island or kitchen table. It's usually more than enough food if you choose the right kind of appetizers.
- Serve buffet-style- This is the most common type of food service for larger parties. It's also a favorite and can be stress-free if using chafing dishes. Setting them up isn't hard. The hardest part is prepping the food in advance. Consider picking up food from your local restaurant's catering menu or grocery store!
- Potluck party- This type of party is ideal for parties with less than 20 people. Too much food and it can be overwhelming with where to put it and how to heat everything up. Make sure to tell everyone what to bring so you do not have 5 chicken dishes or 10 desserts!
- Sit down dinner- Ideal for parties with less than 10 guests. Set up 2 or 3 folding tables outside if you don't have the space and plan the menu. You can get this catered as well or even hire a private chef if your budget allows.
- Catered menu- This option is the least hands off option for feeding a larger crowd of 25+. Most restaurants and catering companies will place the food in larger pans that are ready to serve. They will also include utencils and condiments so all you need to do is get your tables ready!
For the drinks:
- Serve an open bar if you want your guests to help themselves. This is best for parties smaller than 20 guests and fancier parties at night.
- If you have more than 20 guests, consider offering one or two pre-mixed drinks that are served out of large drink dispensers or pitchers. My Large Batch Margarita Recipe can serve up to 14 people while my Pink Rosé Sangria can also serve a large group at once.
- Purchase just beer/seltzers and wine. This is ideal for a DAY party that is less formal. Place a few coolers with ice outside and add beer or seltzers in one and red & wine wine in the other.
- Have everyone BYOB! Do this for small parties only and close friends. I would only consider this "good hosting etiquette" if you do not drink alcohol yourself. Otherwise, it's not proper.
Tip #5: Set The Decor
Decorations can be very subtle or 100% over the top. Use your theme to guide the type of decor you use. For ex: boho chic will be completely different than your holiday themed party. Plus, decor doesn't need to be banners and balloons only, it can be anything that's considered "extra".
- Have one WOW factor item. This is what your party should be focused around and what EVERYONE will be talking about. It will most likely take up the most time/money but will be 100% worth it.
- This could be a huge nacho bar, a chocolate fountain bar, a photo booth with fun props, or a DIY cocktail bar.
- Use balloons if they fit the theme. Balloons don't have to look cheap. Purchase different sized balloons and fancy up the tail of the balloon using something other than balloom string. Use clear balloons with glitter or lights inside or set up a balloom garland/arch!
- Chalkboard signs are my thing. Set one up at the entrance of the party to set the vibe. Add a few on the tables where the food or drinks are. Make them classy by draping some faux greenery over top of the sign. Voila!
Sometimes a party doesn't NEED decorations. If that's the case, here are ways to set the tone for the party without going overboard:
- add fresh flowers
- candles, (scent free!)
- the right lighting sets the ambiance (no harsh lighting)
- fun cocktail napkins
- cute glassware
- special ice (ie: iceballs, monogrammed icecubes, etc.)
Tip#6: Declutter & Clean!
I know it seems like an obvious DUH but you'd be surprised to what things we become blind to after living in our house for years. Like that chair in the middle of the room or the pile of books in the corner of the kitchen.
You want your kitchen countertops as bare as possible! That means removing the clutter, extra candles, unnecessary picture frames and any appliances not being used.
Consider moving around the furniture too. Proper party feng shui may mean moving that sidetable in the living room or clearing that stack of magazines on the top of the coffee table.
You might not notice certain things but your guests WILL.
Tip#7: Let The Fun Begin!
This section is the longest because no party is complete without some form of entertainment. From fun games or activities to curated playlists that'll get everyone grooving, you need to have SOMETHING that was purposefully planned.
Whatever you choose, music is a MUST!!! There is zero reason music should not be playing period. Grab an Alexa or bluetooth speaker from a friend and hook it up to Spotify or Youtube. Or, put your TV on Youtube and play some music through that.
Other forms of entertainment that people will love are:
- Games- No it doesn't need to be board games. It can be a casual game like this tic-tac-toe board set, ring toss game (so fun) or some mini tabletop bowling. I prefer to set these around the house on tables for guests to play while sipping their drinks and chatting.
- But if you DO want a game night vibe, you can set up a GAME ZONE with classics like board games, card games, or party games like charades, Pictionary, or Twister. You can also get creative and set up outdoor game stations like cornhole, giant Jenga, bocce ball, or a ring toss.
- Music Madness: Create a killer playlist or if your budget allows, hire a DJ to spin tunes that'll keep everyone dancing all night long. Don't forget to take song requests from your guests to keep the party vibe going strong!
- Karaoke Craze: Set up a karaoke machine or a karaoke app on your TV and let your guests have some fun.
- Photo Fun: Set up a photo booth with fun props and backdrops where guests can snap silly selfies and group shots. You a polaroid camera so guests can immediately print out the photos on the spot to either keep or add to a photo album for everyone to enjoy.
- DIY Craft Corner: Get artsy with a DIY craft corner where guests can get creative and make their own party favors or decorations. Think DIY flower crowns, personalized tote bags, or custom wine glass charms.
- Trivia Night: Host a trivia competition with questions tailored to your party theme or general knowledge. You can play in teams or go head-to-head for bragging rights and maybe even a prize for the winners!
- Interactive Performers: If your throwing a larger party, consider hiring one entertainer like a magician, comedian, or fortune teller to add an extra element of surprise and excitement to your party. (Remember the Wow Factor I mentioned earlier?!)
- Themed Activities: Tailor your entertainment to match your party theme. For example, if you're hosting a luau, you could have a hula dancing contest or a limbo competition.
Remember, the key to great party entertainment is to cater to your guests' interests and personalities while keeping the energy high and the smiles big. If your guests are more low key, then maybe a DJ isn't the best option. That's why your guestlist is so important.
Tip #9: Put Yourself As A Priority
The best hostess's are the ones who look the most put together and relaxed. So make sure you put yourself as a priority the day before and morning of the bash. Get a shower, do your hair and pick out a killer outfit. Your #1 goal should be to not be stressed or exhausted by the time your guests finally arrive.
Be ready to hand out drinks to guests as they walk in. Tell your guests to help themselves. And then pour yourself a drink and relax! (Something my mother never did.)
Additional Party Resources
Need more party inspo? Check out my other blog posts to get more tips on entertaining at home as well as these tips for hosting guests safely. Cheers to unforgettable parties! ?
Tried the recipe? I'd love to hear your thoughts below!