Planning a Party? Tips for Hosting the Perfect Party

We all love parties, don't we?

Running through the hectic schedules of our busy lives, we keep looking for reasons to break the monotony, let loose and celebrate. Hosting a get-together is not just an opportunity to make merry but also a good way to strengthen relationships between friends, family and co-workers.

However, playing host to a flawless party requires a lot of groundwork and planning, and is not an easy task, to say the least. An unplanned or shambolic bash can turn into a disappointing affair, and hence it is important to be well-prepared so as to delight your esteemed guests.

Here, we have a bunch of tips for hosting the perfect party. Read on, and throw the most memorable party to your guests:

Preparations: Start with making a basic checklist of all the items that you will need, and ensure that you have them at least a day before the party. A little extra is always good to have as buffer, but do not be over-generous as it may lead to wastage and you may end up exceeding your budget.

(Flickr/Kid's Birthday Parties)

Invitations: If you think you will surprise your guests by inviting them at the last moment, you will probably be the surprised one when only a handful of them turn up at your doorstep. Send invitations at least a week in advance, as your guests may have a busy schedule and would need to block their calendars accordingly. As a general rule, hosting a party at the threshold of the weekend makes more sense.

(Flickr/Parker Knight)

Food: Make sure there is enough variety for vegetarians as well as non-vegetarians. Also, though it is good to have a varied menu, it is advisable not to try a “never-before” recipe as you would be unsure of what the outcome may turn out to be like. Preparations must be done well in advance, and the food items should be stored in containers which can be instantly reheated.

(Flickr/zoutedrop)

Music: Music is the life of the party, and the choice of music can enhance or collapse the mood of the party. First things first, have a ready playlist that can run throughout the party, as you wouldn't want to keep walking up to the audio system to flip through audio tracks during the party. Also, bear in mind that the music should match the taste of the guests, and not just that of your own. For formal gatherings, use light, relaxing ambient music.

(Flickr/_Fidelio_)

Converse: It is bad manners to invite guests to your party and leave them on their own. Make it a point to converse with everyone in a party and acknowledge their presence. In bigger gatherings, you can even introduce members of different circles to ensure everyone finds company even if you can't be around them all the time.

Make use of these efficient tips for hosting the perfect party and flatter your guests.