3 Tips to Help You Throw a Good Party

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June 14th marks eight years that I’ve been married.

Eight years ago I knew absolutely nothing about event planning. And by nothing I mean – a rabid squirrel had more qualifications.

Fast forward to today and what do you know – I’ve been working a job where, for the last 5 years, I’ve had to plan close to 20 corporate events for over 60 people (oh, the irony).

I’ve learned a thing or two at this point and can successfully feed/entertain adults on a large scale (take that, rabid squirrel!).

So whether you’re planning a wedding, birthday party or need to start now on a super bowl shin-dig, these tips will help!

1. Plan Ahead

We’ve hosted a New Year’s Eve party at our house ever since we’ve been married.

One year we had just walked in with groceries and I frantically started making Mexican lasagna as our guests were walking in the door. #planningfail

Make your food plan with reality in mind. If you’re not going to have a lot of time that day, plan for things that can be made the night before. You want to enjoy your event and careful planning and scheduling helps you do that (and helps you be a calmer host).

Also, be aware of your time. If you’ll plan to have everything ready an hour before people arrive, you’ll have plenty of time for last minute touch ups AND will look pulled together in case anyone arrives early.

NOTE TO GUESTS: DO YOUR BEST NOT TO BE EARLY FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE!

2. Put yourself in the guests shoes.

Remember the last time you were at a party…what were some things you liked and didn’t like?

I don’t like the awkward period when everyone is arriving and no one knows what to do with their hands. So I make sure to have a focal point of interest like a drink table or a nametag station where people can go and do something with themselves. It generally gets conversation going so that as more people arrive it looks like a happening place.

I like it when people go for the food right when it’s ready. Why do we all play that game like we’ve never eaten before?

The food is ready? Oh. What is this “phood” they’re speaking of?

Drop the pretense. Hand out plates to get the line going.

Whatever it is you like or don’t like, take note of it next time you’re at a party and work to fix it at your next event.

3. Think about flow.

If the drinks and food are all in the same spot, then you end up doing the juggling act of balancing them both on your arm. That’s no fun.

Break up the two so your guests can set their plate down before getting a drink.

This also helps to prevent party clogs. A party clog happens when two people get into a deep conversation while pouring drinks and now hungry people (who are in the back of the line still pretending they don’t know what food is) have to wait even longer while Suzy sorts out her personal problems over Sprite.

Put the drinks in one spot and the food in the other and make the people mill about!

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