PARTY HOSTING HACKS THAT YOU MUST KNOW ASAP
Throwing a party can be stressful, and often the stress doesn’t fully set in until the party has begun and you are dealing with a handful of situations at once. Welcoming your guests is all about anticipating their needs, which comes with time and practice. But by doing some research in advance, you can circumvent some of those issues you may encounter and skip ahead to being a master party host!
Whether you're throwing a big holiday bash or an intimate gathering, you want your guests to have a good time. Here are some party tricks every host or hostess should have up their sleeve.
SET THE RIGHT MOOD
Getting too anxious? The vibes you send out have just as much impact on ambiance as proper lighting or the right music. A frazzled host can make for a tense party, so try following Ina Garten’s tip for setting the right tone: greet your guests at the door, casually dressed in slippers, socks or even barefoot — to convey the chill factor right off the bat.
COOK SMART
Choosing a high-maintenance menu when hosting a dinner party is not the way to go. Try to steer clear of dishes that require too much babysitting to get to the table. Menu items like risotto or other dishes that require constant stirring or checking means you’ll be stuck at the stove and miss all the fun. Think of it like this: If you can’t chat and sip a glass of wine while you make it, it’s not worth it.
SERVE SANGRIA
In most cases, sticking to wine and beer will be fine. If you’re having a barbecue or summer soirée, then focus on one extra cocktail that can be mixed in advance. Think sangria, margaritas or another fresh, fruit or herb-infused drink.
MAKE A BRUSCHETTA BAR
If you’ve got cocktails, you’re going to need to set out some pre-dinner snacks for your guests. A simple and small cheese plate or this amazing DIY Bruschetta Bar will keep guests from over-indulging in the wine to fight off hunger pangs.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE MESS
Watching a host obsessively clean while trying to enjoy yourself can be a real buzz kill. To help manage the mess, clean as you go and make sure the dishwasher is empty before the party starts. Feel free to do a bit of tidying up while mingling, but save the deep clean for after the guests have left the building.
References: 15 Tips to Being the Perfect Party Host, FoodNetwork, Available at: [http://www.foodnetwork.ca/entertaining/photos/tips-to-being-perfect-party-host/#!dishes-in-dishwasher]
