Let’s face it: the weekend means party-time for many of us. But when it’s you who has to do the hosting, TGIF can turn into a lot of work and headache.
So, whether you like quiet, intimate affairs or elaborate, Gatsby-esque parties, follow these items religiously and you will never go wrong.
1. Set a date
This seems easy enough, but it can really make or break your party.
Setting the correct date will determine the success of your weekend party. It should be far enough in the future that it allows you ample time to plan, yet not so far away that people simply forget about it.
It should also be noted that the day of the party should not fall near any other holidays. If the holiday is expected immediately after your weekend party date, chances are people will either have already left town or will be rushing around completing last-minute tasks for the holiday.
On the other hand, if your weekend party is scheduled after a holiday, people will be too tired to enjoy themselves.
Or, as Sheldon Cooper would say, “Everyone’ll be partied out”.
2. Lists are your friends
Once you’ve decided on a date, you’ll need to start making a list. Specifically, a list of all the lists you will need to make your party legendary.
Start out with an invitation list to see how large your party will be, taking into considerations such things as the venue.
Once the venue is decided, it is time to decide whether your weekend party will have a theme, so another list is required. Themed parties are all the rage nowadays. They are especially helpful in setting the tone for drinks, foods, music, décor and dress code.
Keeping track of all these lists can become cumbersome, but you can use any free online task management tool to track of all your tasks.
3. Budget like a boss
Hosting a party can be stressful business. Your social standing may depend upon the success of your party, so the temptation to overspend is intense.
Crush that impulse.
Carefully plan your party budget. Cut down on excess expenditures. Can’t afford custom decorations? Make your own. Bargain hunt if you have to, and keep everything within your pocket.
Again, you can use task management software such as nTask to keep track of your budget. Using this software, you can even assign a certain percentage of the budget to each respective category to figure out how you will be spending your money beforehand and where corners need to be cut.
4. Invitations are crucial
Not only do your invitations let people know what, when and where the event is; they also help people identify what kind of party it is going to be.
For example, birthday invitations are colorful and fun, and thus you expect a fun-filled bash.
Bridal shower themes can range from elegant to frivolous, and thus the invitation sets the tone of the event in everyone’s mind.
5. Present a clean front
If you are hosting the party at your place, then clean-up can creep up on you. Most people have the tendency to overlook this important aspect of throwing a successful party.
Chances are that you are so concerned with finalizing all the lists that you shoved cleaning to the back of your mind and now it is staring you in the face.
This being said, there is no need for you to douse your house in antiseptic nor devote whole days to the task. Set aside regular intervals each day to clean small sections of your home. Before you know it, your house will be clean and guest-ready.
6. Study up
Most of us equate having a good time with good food and good company. To make your party a success, you need to study what type of food your guests prefer. Does anyone have allergies? Does anyone only eat vegetarian food? Has one of your friends recently joined the fitness brigade?
Your spread should be lavish enough to accommodate everyone’s preferences without breaking the bank.
7. Expect the unexpected
No matter how much you plan, the unexpected will rise up. Whether it’s in the form of uninvited guests or an unexpected expenditure, it pays to be prepared.
Set aside a portion of your budget for unexpected expenditures and do not touch it. Solicit the help of your responsible friends in making sure they help you deal with whatever crops up.
8. Don’t take on more than you can handle
This is the most important item of them all. While going over and perfecting all the lists, you might end up taking on more than you can handle.
This can happen in many ways. Maybe you made one flower for décor then suddenly your home is covered in flowers and everything else still needs to be done.
Make sure you set realistic expectations for yourself and ask for help if you can’t finish everything on your own. Ask friends or hire a student to cater to lift some of the burden off your shoulders.
9. “Have an ice breaker, why don’t you?”
Your party is likely going to include people from all parts of your life — people who do not necessarily know each other.
For this reason, it is important that you have a strategy in place to encourage people to mix and mingle. Think beforehand which of your friends would pair nicely together.
Do you have a perpetually curious friend? Introduce them to your entomologist friend. Place chairs around the sitting area so people are forced to interact.
10. Stock up
This sounds like a given, but building up your supplies is vital. Whether it’s cleaning supplies or food, make sure you have enough stocked up to face anything.
This little tip will also make sure that you do not spend your last minutes before the party rushing around to gather supplies, instead of getting ready for the party.
All the best for your weekend party — we hope you have lots of fun. Let us know how it was and what tips you used to plan it. Happy weekend!
