Decide upon a theme for your party.It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate but it should be the reason friends are gathering to celebrate.A friend’s homecoming,an engagement announcement,or a block party to meet the neighbors are only a few examples of party themes; Pick your party theme and plan the rest of the party around it.
Send out the invitations.Optimally,guests should receive their invitations two weeks before the party.This gives them enough time to schedule the event into their time table,such as,arrange for baby-sitters or make travel arrangements.If a guest will be traveling a long way,the earlier they get the invitation,the better.
Create proper party atmosphere.If you’re hosting the party at home,firstly provide adequate seating for your guests,and then look at your surroundings with a critical eye.Put knick-knacks away for a clean look and add a banner or decorations to make the room more festive.
Schedule the party events.Allow enough time for guest arrival before serving a meal,especially when you’re planning a sit-down meal.If your party centers around a televised sports event or a film,plan for guests to arrive at least 30 minutes before the event starts.
Plan your food-list and do shopping a few days before the party.You should prepare enough dishes in advance and freezing the food can save you much time on the day of the party.If you’re hiring a caterer,he/she will need lots of advance notice of your menu and the number of guests you are expecting.Popular caterers are usually booked months in advance.
Double-check the details the night before the party by doing a quick walkthrough,starting at your front door,as if you were a guest,and proceeding through your home.Make sure there is an area for guest’s coats,extra soap and clean hand towels in the bathroom.Make sure there are enough serving plates and glasses.
Dress up early for the party to prevent last minute dashing.Preparation is the key to a successful party.Some guests may arrive early and you’ll need to be ready.