At-home entertaining doesn’t have to be stressful or daunting—especially if you know these quick and easy tips for putting on a party from the comfort of your own home. With the right preparation, planning, and menu, you can make sure that your friends and family remember the event fondly instead of being overwhelmed by too many details. Keep reading to learn more about how to plan an at-home party that people will love!
Preparing Your Space
When entertaining at home, the first step is to prepare your space. You’ll want to choose a room that’s comfortable and has enough seating for your guests. If you’re having a sit-down meal, make sure there’s enough table space for everyone. If you’re having a buffet, clear off countertops and tabletops so your guests have plenty of room to move around. As they arrive, greet them warmly with something cold to drink and snacks on hand. Make introductions if necessary before getting down to business: planning out how much food you need and how long it will take to cook everything.
7 Weeks Before
The holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends, and what better way to do that than by hosting your own party? But before you start planning your menu and guest list, there are a few things you should do to make sure the event goes off without a hitch.
- Make sure your house is in order—clean up all clutter and prepare the food ahead of time.
- Get creative with decorations—use items you already have on hand to create a festive atmosphere or purchase inexpensive ones from stores like Target or Ikea.
- Be mindful of who will be attending the party—it’s probably not worth going through all this trouble if it’s just going to be an intimate gathering of two people!
- And finally, have fun!
Week Before
The week before your party, start by making a list of everything you need to do. This will help you stay organized and on track as you prepare. Then, start prepping as much as possible. Make any food that can be made ahead of time, clean your house from top to bottom, and set out any decor or serving items you’ll need. By taking care of as much as possible beforehand, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the party when the day finally arrives. Plus, all of the hard work will make it easier to manage during the party. If you want to create an atmosphere where guests feel at home in your space, choose some of their favorite foods and drinks. To get more creative with appetizers, add unexpected flavors with fruits like pineapple chunks or grapes; spices like cumin; and nuts like pistachios. Finally, serve these snacks in cute dishes like mini cocottes or Mason jars with handles for easy transportability!
Day of Party
As the day of your party approaches, do a walk-through of your home to ensure that everything is clean and in its place. Once everything is spick and span, start setting up any decor you plan on using. If you’re serving food, begin prepping as much as possible in advance. The goal is to have as much done as possible so that you can relax and enjoy the party along with your guests.
Clean off surfaces before guests arrive, and make sure there are enough linens. If you’ve been having difficulty figuring out what to wear, consult your wardrobe or browse through some stores online for outfit ideas. Pick an outfit that will be comfortable for all the activity yet still put together. Make sure to add some accessories like jewelry or belts to complete the look. Finish by applying makeup and doing hair if necessary.
Clean Up Afterward
The first step to having a stress-free celebration is to set the stage for success by doing a little bit of prep work. Make sure your home is clean and clutter-free before your guests arrive. When the party’s over, don’t leave the mess for tomorrow. Tackle it right away so you can relax and enjoy the rest of your evening. delegate cleanup duties to willing family members or friends, or hire a professional cleaning service to take care of it for you.