The party days may be over with salmon croutons and tangerine punch, but the art of entertaining guests is always all the rage. If you need to organize a reception, formal or informal, and you don't know how to get started, this article could help you. It's easier than it looks; with a little organization, good food, drinks, lots of conversation topics and some recreational activities during the party, you will be able to really entertain your guests and the party will be a success.
If, on the other hand, you are looking to make people laugh and entertain them in that sense, read this article.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Preparations
Step 1. Arrange the space for the party
Start organizing the place where you will hold the reception. You will likely need to move furniture to provide plenty of space for your guests, whether standing or seated, so they can have a friendly conversation. You may also want to consider setting up a separate quiet area for those who need some quiet time.
- Try to divide a large space into several small areas, so you encourage conversation between small groups that normally form at receptions.
- If you are short of space, move the furniture to the outer edges as much as possible or put the excess furniture in a room that will not be used.
Step 2. Tidy up and clean the area
Once the space is organized the way you wanted it, start cleaning. You need to make a good impression on your guests. What you need to clean depends on the location you have chosen, here are some ideas to get you started:
- Take out the trash and other items that can emit a pungent odor.
- Vacuum and scrub the floors.
- Clean the glass and windows.
- Reorder.
- Thoroughly clean the kitchen and bathroom.
Step 3. Remember to clean those corners that are usually left out or forgotten
There are many places that are often overlooked, and a party is a great excuse for a "spring cleaning". Try to be thorough, collect items you generally leave around the house, and be sure to clean any spaces left free by the furniture you have moved.
- For example, many people forget to clean under the toilet seat. Women may not notice this, but men do!
- Another forgotten spot is the front yard or garden. This is the first place in your home that guests see and is your chance for a good first impression. For this reason you need to make sure it is tidy, clean and good looking.
- Don't forget the inside of the refrigerator. The guests will open it for drinks and it is not the case that they see the dry juices of the steak on the shelves!
Step 4. Remove any items you don't want to be on the party venue
Now that everything is clean you need to do a mental checklist and decide if there are any items that need to be moved. There are many reasons why you would not want to keep certain items where the reception will take place. For example, delicate and precious glassware or other fragile objects. Store this in a safe place until the party is over.
For example, in the living room, there may be your grandfather's precious pocket watch. If you don't know all the people who will be attending the party, perhaps it would be better to store it in a less obvious place
Step 5. Add some decoration
Once the venue is well organized and clean, you can add some finishing touches to impress guests. In this regard the decorations will be of great help to you. You could use the ribbons you used for your birthday or Halloween spider webs, but don't just think of that for decorations. There are many options available.
For example, is the party to say hello to a friend who is moving away? The theme for the decorations could be where he will go, so that he understands that you will always be with him even if only in spirit
Step 6. Don't forget the music
When everything is ready, you need to focus on the background music. This could make the party a success or ruin it altogether, so you need to be precise in your choice. The volume must not be too loud, people must be able to speak and listen to each other.
- Try to adapt the music to the theme of the reception or the tastes of your guests. However, if you are unsure, choose the songs that are widely appreciated. Queen or Laura Pausini are always good for an indoor party in the winter, while for an outdoor summer party you can think of Bob Marley or the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
- You can entrust the music to a DJ who moves the party for you, or search various websites. Don't make the music monotonous and varied pieces. You can also tune into online radio stations which often offer seamless theme music.
- This article tells you how to connect speakers to your computer and set the music for the party.
Part 2 of 4: Preparing and Presenting the Food
Step 1. Start with some appetizers and snacks
Appetizers, snacks and snacks are essential in a party as they are easy to munch between conversations. A full meal takes up the mouth for too long, making interpersonal relationships difficult. Incidentally, as long as you have enough appetizers, you won't even need "proper" food.
Some ideas are crackers with cheese, small individual cups of salsa, rolls and panzerotti. Do not forget the timeless chips and vegetables in pinzimonio
Step 2. Follow up with some more substantial dishes
If the party coincides with mealtime, you should offer more than a few snacks. Someone too hungry could raid the buffet of appetizers leaving others with a dry mouth. Plan ahead and prepare something quick and easy to cook but doesn't cost too much.
For example, burritos and stuffed wraps are cheap and easy to prepare. They also lend themselves to many variations to respect everyone's tastes and food restrictions
Step 3. Don't forget the dessert
Everyone loves dessert. Even if the other dishes are a bit meager, remember that a great dessert will leave all guests with good memories of the party. You can buy it in the pastry shop (don't skimp and buy something special) or prepare it yourself.
You know full well that your cheesecake never fails you and you can make it in a few simple steps with milk, sugar, cream cheese, cookies and a blender. Pour the cream over a pre-made pasta base and garnish with fresh berries
Step 4. Plan your cooking time very carefully
As you think about what to offer, try to imagine how you will prepare it and how long it will take. You will have to give yourself a lot of time because you certainly don't want to find yourself segregated in the kitchen while your guests are enjoying themselves at the party. Choose dishes that you can prepare the night before or even 1-2 days in advance, so you only need to put them in the oven when the guests start arriving.
Let's say you are hosting a formal dinner party. You can marinate the roast overnight, stuff it with garlic, and let it soak in the juices. You can mash the potatoes the night before and reheat them when the guests arrive. All this can be accompanied by a salad that is prepared quickly, put the roast in the oven a couple of hours before the party begins
Step 5. Make sure there are plenty of drinks
Calculate that everyone should have at least 2-3 drinks available during the reception. If you can indulge in more, so much the better. Remember that they must be different drinks, as each has their own tastes; also take into consideration the theme and type of party in your choice.
- Successful parties never lack daiquiri, wine and ginger ale.
- You can also arrange the drinks in a particular way if you wish. For example, you can make a bowl of ice for fruit punch.
Step 6. Arrange the food
When everything is ready, you can start setting up the food in the party room. If it is an informal occasion you can use a table as if it were a buffet, in a corner of the room. Just remember not to leave foods that spoil quickly outside. Hot or piping hot dishes should be served when guests have arrived.
- Arranging food at different heights or on top of risers makes it easier for guests to serve themselves. Just be careful not to put food where it can fall, you certainly don't want the cocktail sauce to drip into the fruit salad!
- If it's a stand up party, choose simple foods to eat even without sitting down. Some dishes, like soups, could be a real challenge!
Part 3 of 4: Being a Great Host
Step 1. Welcome the guests
When people arrive, you have to welcome them. Don't ignore them or hastily abandon them with other people they don't know, even if it's an informal occasion. You would make your guests feel unwelcome and ignored.
Even just a simple one: “I'm glad you came. Make yourself at home! " it's enough
Step 2. Show them the house
If you have time to do this, show the guests the party area. There is no need to organize a guided tour of all your knick-knacks, but pointing them out where the bathroom is and where they can find food is a sign of hospitality and courtesy.
You can also show where they can put their things and what the basic house rules are (e.g. no shoes in the room or no smoking indoors)
Step 3. Introduce your guests to each other
A good host introduces people who have never met before and helps them communicate. You need to wait for a conversation to stabilize before leaving the group and dealing with other people.
For example, if you know two people who love the same singer, you might say: “Oh Francesca I'm sure you will like this: Giulia has just been to a U2 concert in Milan. Giulia, Francesca is a true U2 fan”
Step 4. Make sure nobody feels left out
As the reception progresses, try to talk and interact with everyone. There will likely be some people you are more intimate with and you may be tempted to spend the evening with them, but that would exclude everyone else. Try to hang out with everyone for a while, if only to offer another drink.
Try asking at least one question to each attendee throughout the party. This will show interest on your part and that you care about their presence
Step 5. Greet your guests at the end of the reception
When the party is coming to an end, say goodbye to those who leave and thank them for coming. This makes people feel appreciated and respected. Forgetting to say hello can hurt people's sensibilities and spoil the impression your guests had of the party (even if they enjoyed it).
Part 4 of 4: Animating the Party
Step 1. Find ways for attendees to have fun together
Obviously this is a party and you need to be sure that the proposed activities allow people to talk and interact. You also have to adapt them to the number of guests, their tastes and personalities.
- Invent activities for large groups. If there are a lot of people at the party, you need to organize at least some entertainment for a lot of people. It could be a “spontaneous dance” competition where everyone moves as they like regardless of how they appear. You could hire a karaoke car or hire someone to organize and teach group dances. Obviously take into consideration the type of guests. If it's quiet older ladies, a decoupage teacher will be more appreciated than a hip-pop dance master.
- Organize activities for small groups. If the party involves a few close friends, you have a few more options to involve everyone. Organize a game of darts or grab some board games. Don't limit yourself to Monopoly, there are many other fun ones for a party of around 10 people.
Step 2. Give space to introverts too
Remember that not all of your guests are chatty and socializing just because they are at a party. Give those who are more shy a quiet space to escape the hustle and bustle from time to time. However, don't forget to give them the opportunity to integrate and socialize without feeling uncomfortable. Some ideas:
Create conversation starter cards. These contain a couple of questions or topics of conversation; arrange them anywhere at the table or in the center of the room so that people can use them when they see fit
Step 3. Mix outdoor activities with indoor ones
If it is a garden party, you need to think about games / entertainment that can be done outside the home. If it's an indoor party, plan accordingly. You can also consider both possibilities. However, remember that outdoor receptions could be affected (or ruined) by environmental factors such as rain. So make sure you always have a "plan B".
- If the party takes place in the garden, organize village fair games or a puppet theater.
- If it develops indoors, why not think of a fun photo booth (all you need is a camera, a background and some easels), an exchange of hideous gifts or henna tattoos?
Step 4. Choose a theme
The party theme will help you choose a subject for the games. On some occasions, the content may be obvious (such as over the holiday season). In other cases you have to unleash your creativity and think of something original that entertains and interests the guests.
- A party for the "Roaring Twenties" could be enhanced with a monitor broadcasting silent cinema films and casino games. You could also make "fake alcohol" cocktails if there are people who are too young at the party.
- If it's a men's party, hire a craftsman to make cigars. Get a personalized tobacco blend for the occasion and make sure all guests have their own handmade cigar.
Step 5. Pay attention to formal receptions
If you are organizing such an event, you need to use a different approach when it comes to entertainment. Remember this when planning the party. Formal parties are often more complicated because people are less likely to be friendly and socialize. This means that you need to provide them with ideas to talk and interact.
- You could organize the "Who Am I?" Game. It involves writing the name of a famous person on a card or postcard which is then attached to each guest's back. Each then has to ask questions to the other guests to try to understand which character he is.
- Gadgets and gifts that encourage guests to try their hand at various activities are of great help in formal receptions.
