Thursday, July 9, 2009

5 Little Facts That Will Create Awesome Parties

By Kathy Baldwin

Some people know just how to create the perfect party, either an elegant dinner party with clear cut crystal and fine linens or just a casual backyard pool party. They seem to come complete with a manual of successful dinner party recipes, tips, tools and techniques that others just can't seem to find. They create the ideal party that everyone just remembers.

For some it just doesnt come as easy.

Do you know what the single greatest factor is for any great party? It is you, the host or hostess. You are the biggest contributor to the success of your party. By expanding your personal knowledge, style and skill level, you are able to increase the level of success for your parties. Here are some suggestions that you can add to your repertoire of party skills.

1. What is your reason for wanting to host a party? Is there a special occasion or event that is prompting your party? Whatever your reason, just how much time do you have to prepare for this party? You can easily plan a last minute, spontaneous, impromptu party with a little know how or take all the time you need to plan every last detail with a longer length of planning time. However your actually party is set, use your schedule and plan.

3. Planning is the critical element in your party to ensure that you do not go over budget financially or with your time. The planning element also includes your menu and recipe selection. It is critical that you effectively choose the right recipes, with the correct ingredients to allow your party to be a success. Your effective planning also includes creating a shopping list that maximizes your time instead of wasting it. A party can be a huge use of your time or can easily be managed by effective planning. Your party plan will make or break your schedule, budget and overall outcome of your party so do not overlook this critical component.

3. Decide on a theme. You can extend your theme from your invitations all the way through to the decorations, tableware and napkins, and food. Having the right food can set the whole tone for the party! If you like, you can ask your guests to dress according to the theme"Hawaiian style if you are having a luau, or elegant evening ware for a Titanic-themed dinner party. There are so many wonderful ideas to choose from!

4. Do you need to or even should you include alcoholic beverages in your party planning? This can be an area of your party planning that might involve controversy. If you choose to include a cocktail, your choice must also include the glassware and party style along with your drink choice. Prepare to include a food element whenever providing alcohol. Make sure that you also consider providing a non alcoholic beverage for those who choose not to imbibe. Depending on the size of your party, you may consider hiring a dedicated bartender to oversee the serving of drinks.

5. If you envision a more casual event, make certain you have coolers available for bottles or cans of soda pop and beer, and plenty of ice. For a backyard barbecue, some of the best dinner party menus center around burgers and hot dogs seared on the grill. Whatever you dont have, you can rent"extra grills, a tent, paper lanterns, a dance floor"look up party rentals for your neighborhood on the internet or in the phone book.

As an effective host it is critical that you provide more than just food and location you must also prepare for the entertainment of your party with the use of conversation starters and party games. A great host is one who can set the stage of great conversation and build rapport with all the guests who are invited. Make sure that you can mingle and move around within the party ensuring that everyone is having a good time.

Hosting an awesome party and creating an event that will be the stuff of memories is done by utilizing all your hosting skills. This is the time to pull out all of your best stuff and enjoy yourself as well.

Hosting a party that will result in wonderful memories for you and guests can be done by learning all of the necessary skills regardless of where you are starting from today. Do not use any lack you currently feel to stop you from learning what you need to learn and go out and hosting the kind of party you and your friends are craving!

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