Tell me your party hosting secrets

[parrty]

AIDBU because i'm using this board purely for traffic but tomorrow I am hosting a party for 20 people (before anyone gets their knickers in a twist i'm not in the UK its is 100% legal where I am and myself and my guests are happy covid is well controlled enough here that its safe to go ahead)
Now my question is I have never actually hosted a party before, please can you tell me your top hosting tips, things i've probably forgotten and need. Timing is late lunch, food will be served in buffet/help yourself form so if you have any crowd pleasing failsafe food suggestions that would be great also.

I'm probably over thinking it but I moved a the start of the year and due to covid didn't get much of a chance to settle and make friends now things have gotten back to normal i'd really like things to go well and not get myself a reputations as the areas worst hostess.

parrty so lots of cheap indigenous labour working for white people?
Who need dogs to protect themselves because of high crime rates caused by disgruntled locals?

cocktails but to make this easier, make a large receptacle of a punch or something like that. Make a bar area too, where people can re charge their glasses when they wish.
Lots of food. Don't scrimp! So not just bowls of crisps! And if possible do two rounds - so have savouries out for arrival then about 2/3 of the way through the evening swap for the sweet stuff.
Playlist. This is the most fun it. i love making a play list!
Lighting. Fairy lights and candles. Always.

@speakout that's quite a leap, my partner is an indigenous local as you put it as where 50% of my guests. My dogs are more likely to lick someone to death than guard me. But yes labour is cheaper here than in the UK so I do have a maid and a gardener to look after the dogs while I'm at work. That but you got correct

Everyone seems to have covered off most things already but for me it’s always the little touches which ‘wow’ you when walking into someone’s home for the first time/makes a last impression

When we host a party DH always makes sure there is nice background music (we have a good Bluetooth speaker which we set up in a corner of the garden which allows for the music to travel).
I always have at least one vase of nice flowers in the main room (on the Buffett table if there’s room) as it can make a room look ‘dressed’.
Reed diffuser in the toilet, nice hand soap (we have a posh hand soap which only comes out when the guests come round, the rest of the time it’s Asda’s own brand )
A scented candle lit in the entrance hall for guests arrival.

I love afternoon parties, pre COVID we would have a party about every 6 weeks in the summer.

My advice is good food and lots of it, drinks, cocktail or two, fabulous music and some garden games that people can play if the want. We have jenga, connect four and snakes & ladders.

Ha e a great time, I’m very jealous

Generally, as. I do this for about fifty most years

Make sure you have cover. Ie a marquee or whatever. And outside lighting
Plenty of mixers and ice, cold beer, wine, Prosecco, spirits.
Plastic glasses, several times more than you think you need, as people will often use new ones, and bamboo or disposable plates.
Bins for rubbish, plus also do a few runs your self with a bin bag.
Booze laid out, and people bring what they brought on the same table.
Plenty of music that fits the group demographic
More food than you think you need.
Napkins
More toilet roll than you’d assume you need,
Seating that is sociable and enough for everyone to sit down.
Flit about the group ans don’t stick with the same people and wander round asking people if the want another drink, some folks will be shy to help themselves.

Is this possibly the most inappropriate thread ever?

Yes I read you're not in the UK, but even so....

@FuzzyPuffling

Is this possibly the most inappropriate thread ever?

Yes I read you're not in the UK, but even so....

Why’s it inappropriate?

@FuzzyPuffling

Is this possibly the most inappropriate thread ever?

Yes I read you're not in the UK, but even so....

Why on earth is it inappropriate?

you're not in the UK, but even so....

Even so....what?!

Definitely lots of chairs. Decent music.

Lots of ice! And jugs of water people can help themselves from.

Lots of simple snacks in case people don't want a full meal, are drinking a lot or stay for hours, get lots of big bags of crisps, you don't need to open them all and they'll keep.

@FuzzyPuffling why is it inappropriate I have followed every Corona rule that has been in place this is now perfectly legal and myself and my guests where happy to go ahead. Nobody would've been judged for not wanting to attend.
It was also posted on Friday before the UK was in lockdown so wasn't intended to rub that in or anything

@FuzzyPuffling

Is this possibly the most inappropriate thread ever?

Yes I read you're not in the UK, but even so....

Why is it inappropriate?

And why the most ever? So the poo and period trolls are ok but the OP is inappropriate?

parrty so lots of cheap indigenous labour working for white people?
Who need dogs to protect themselves because of high crime rates caused by disgruntled locals?

Um...wtf? This is just a thread about party hosting tips. Chill out over there

Scented candle lit in the loo(s) and have the hand towels changed over the course of the day
Water! God I’ve been to parties where the hosts have plied guests with the fines booze and left me sticking my head under a tap to rehydrate! Particularly since you’re going from mid afternoon, make sure someone circulated a few times with the water.
Also (on the assumption your party friendly haven is somewhere hot for some reason) - something effective to keep the bugs off your buffet. You may of course be in Norway in which case - a patio heater for the smokers, along with ashtrays and matches

Definitely give people jobs - especially anyone who is a bit shy and can mingle with a bottle of wine, topping up as necessary. Have plenty of non-alcoholic drinks as well. Over here, I would have tea and coffee available.
Please tell us where you are, I don’t need to know but am very nosey.
I am also veggie and invariably the veggie food goes, leaving no seconds for poor old veggie guest.
“Oh, Brie and cranberry, my favourite!”
“”Just one more falafel for me, they’re delicious”
“Oh these stuffed mushrooms are great,”
“Veggie food is really tasty, isn’t it.”
Gets right on my nerves as I see “my” food disappearing onto meat-eaters’ plates.

@FuzzyPuffling

Is this possibly the most inappropriate thread ever?

Yes I read you're not in the UK, but even so....

What's the other end of that sentence, @FuzzyPuffling? Even so what?

Every hour or so tidy a few things up/away.

Don’t put a scented candle in your loo. If someone has one too many and knocks it over your house could burn down. Don’t leave unattended candles.

Please no scented candles anywhere. Or anything else with strong smells. My DH gets headaches from all artificial smells and strong flowers, a bouquet with lilies we got for DD’s birth had to be given away.

Air rooms properly on the day and put some flowers up with a small smell for a visual impact.

It's so interesting to read all the different perspectives of what makes a good party.

As a guest (as opposed to a host) I enjoy parties where the following things are attended:

I like to be introduced to other guests by the host. Though I'm very socially able and my work frequently involves hosting so I'm good at making conversation / walking up to people and introducing myself

I like to be offered a nice drink (cocktail or bubbles) as soon as I arrive

I do not want to be given any 'jobs' - I really hate this, although if asked by the host I will do it without visibly flinching but I will not like it

I want someone to take my coat etc and put it away somewhere and tell me where it is . I don't want to be crumpling my coat up on the floor in a corner etc

I like a clean bathroom with nice soap, fresh towels and plenty of toilet paper to be availble (have been to some parties where the hosts clearly forgot to check the downstairs toilet for kiddy mess -wet towels / kids soap bottles in the sink) before guests )

If there's food (and I always hope there will be ) I don't want to be preparing it or given jobs around it - other than perhaps calling other guests to the kitchen / table etc

I love flowers & nice candles

I like a proper glass to drink from especially if I'm drinking wine. I hate plastic cups

I really dislike when hosts start cleaning up and washing up all around the guests, it makes me feel really in the way and that the primary aim is to clear everything away asap.

Good music, good food, plenty to drink and good company

@SpeccyLime

Do not allow any guests to bring any alcohol/food/gifts all

I’m intrigued - how do you stop this without being rude? I always tell guests there’s no need to bring anything but nobody ever turns up empty handed (and I would never go to a party without bringing something for the host / hostess!)

Haha - no way am I spending a fortune on alcohol for other people to drink!

I missed that comment, why can’t folks bring booze food or gifts, I can’t Imagine turning up empty handed to someone’s party that’s the height of bad manners. So I’d not force anyone else to do it. For mine folks usually turn up with booze, flowers, chocolates, that kind of thing. Booze goes on thr booze table, as does food ( seldom does anyone bring food, the only thing I’ve ever had was a massive thing of lovely olives; , and flowers in vases, it’s no biggie.

• More loo roll than you think you need

• Jugs of water and glasses around so people don't have to come into the kitchen

• If it's warm where you are, bottles of booze in ice buckets outside so they can help themselves

• Music not so loud that people can't hear what they're saying to each other

• Plenty of places to sit

• Ashtray in a corner somewhere for any smokers

• I like to do lots of baguette with nice butter alongside any other 'proper' food so that there's something that most people can eat

• Don't do anything complicated food wise, otherwise you'll be in the kitchen all evening / afternoon rather than spending time with your guests

@caperplips I tell you what, I’d love to go to that party, right now. With an elaborate dress code and your actual high heels.