Besides being polite and cordial when it comes to playing a good host, you also need to know a few ground rules when it comes to hosting a party or a formal sit down dinner. After speaking to a few experts, we have compiled a list of things you must keep in mind to play the perfect host.
Serve a mixed food platter
Food is one of the most important aspects that need to be paid attention to. Right from the starters to the dessert, make sure that you have a mixed platter of the dishes. If you do not know your guests preferences in terms of vegetarian or non vegetarian, prepare both. You don’t want to be left with no food for that odd vegetarian guest. Unless it is a formal sit down dinner, prepare easy to make, quick finger foods. They are a big hit with kids as well.
Have a well stocked bar
If it is a party and unless it is a BYOB (bring your own booze) do, stock up on alcohol. Make sure you have a well stocked bar. If you can afford, get a bartender or request a friend who is good with it to help you out. Very important – have a lot of ice handy. Limit yourself to one or two drinks because you don’t want to be passing out at your own party.
Don’t mix and match your friends
You could be popular and have a lot of friends, but when you throw a party, make sure you don’t invite every social acquaintance. It is not a great idea to have a mish mash of friends over, where nobody knows either of them. Stick to a group of friends, either your office folks, your school friends or your family. While it could be a good way to interact with people, your guests should not be left getting bored.
Have a kiddie’s zone
If you are going to have kids at the party, then it is a good idea to have a special zone dedicated to them. Kids are hyperactive and get bored easily so you will have to keep them entertained. You could probably have a room in your house and stock it up with books, crayon pencils, stencils and colouring books. For slightly older kids you could try board games like Pictionary, Taboo, Scrabble etc.
Interact with your guests
If it is your party, you have to make sure you do not stick to one or two people. Take turns to talk to people and interact with everyone, lest anyone fees left out. In case someone is a relatively new entrant to the gang, introduce him/her to all your friends. Strike up interesting conversations and let your guests take it further from there.
Keep it simple
If you are throwing a party at home, don’t go all the way to make the set up extremely elaborate. You don’t have to buy new cushions, curtains, bed sheets each time you have a party, but make sure everything in the house is spic and span. Vacuum clean your house, open the windows, throw in a few cushions, have good music and you are all set.
Have fun
Just because you are the host, does not mean you can’t have fun at your own party. If a glass or two breaks, don’t be stressed about it. Relax and take it easy. You have put in a lot of efforts to put this together, so don’t let minor slip-ups upset you. You guests will help themselves to food and drinks so chill out and have a good time.
Dress up
Your friends may see you million times a week, but when you invite them over for a party, make sure to dress up. Just because it is your home, don’t dress up shabbily, certainly not in a pair of pyjamas. Agreed it is home, but you should we well put together, especially when you are going to have your friends over. Don’t go overboard and dress up like a Christmas tree. Most importantly, be yourself and don’t forget to smile!