Dancing in the Moonlight: How to Keep Your Party Humming
There are so many good reasons to throw a party. Here's how to make your soiree a standout event
Whether it’s for Christmas, the New Year, a birthday or any other celebration (hey, it’s the weekend, let’s dance!), if you’re planning a party there are some simple steps you can take to make sure it’s the event to be at. Here’s how to stop your party ending with a whimper, and make it a night your friends will remember.
Let me introduce you
There is a fine art to a good introduction and the most important thing is to get people’s names right. Do whatever it takes to remember names… or simply call on someone else to get the name for you by leaving two strangers together with a simple “You two are really going to like each other,” and slinking away (with ears on, listening for the name you’d forgotten).
Then start looking for connections. Don’t limit yourself to people’s jobs or professions, think outside that square. You know that a circle of friends have a book club, introduce them to some friends that you think would be interested in joining. One friend a cyclist, the other a runner? They could entertain each other for hours on the finer points of endurance and protein powder recommendations.
Hook up friends that have recently renovated, or are looking to move. Find the friend who is obsessed with Game of Thrones and introduce them to the Vikings fan. Surely there’s common ground in there somewhere, even it is just love for a good period drama.
There is a fine art to a good introduction and the most important thing is to get people’s names right. Do whatever it takes to remember names… or simply call on someone else to get the name for you by leaving two strangers together with a simple “You two are really going to like each other,” and slinking away (with ears on, listening for the name you’d forgotten).
Then start looking for connections. Don’t limit yourself to people’s jobs or professions, think outside that square. You know that a circle of friends have a book club, introduce them to some friends that you think would be interested in joining. One friend a cyclist, the other a runner? They could entertain each other for hours on the finer points of endurance and protein powder recommendations.
Hook up friends that have recently renovated, or are looking to move. Find the friend who is obsessed with Game of Thrones and introduce them to the Vikings fan. Surely there’s common ground in there somewhere, even it is just love for a good period drama.
Snacking and socialising spaces
Create situations where people will want to talk. Provide seating, but not too much because everyone will sit down and nobody will move around. A few chairs placed in groups of three does the trick, then when two couples meet, all will stand, inviting more people to join them.
Have small side tables ready with coasters for drinks and nuts or olives, so a snack is within easy reach, but keep most of the food together. When food is on a large, central table, people will naturally gravitate towards it, and strike up conversations while admiring your cheese platters.
Create situations where people will want to talk. Provide seating, but not too much because everyone will sit down and nobody will move around. A few chairs placed in groups of three does the trick, then when two couples meet, all will stand, inviting more people to join them.
Have small side tables ready with coasters for drinks and nuts or olives, so a snack is within easy reach, but keep most of the food together. When food is on a large, central table, people will naturally gravitate towards it, and strike up conversations while admiring your cheese platters.
Mingle, mingle!
Encourage guests who look really uncomfortable, or who maybe came alone, to busy themselves. Give them the platter of canapes and ask them to offer it around. While a table laden with food is wonderful, food on the move is fabulous for keeping conversations flowing, and it’s another great way to check on your guests without being obtrusive.
Listen out for offensive comments and dull conversation, and quickly whip out a pig-in-a-blanket to change the topic.
Encourage guests who look really uncomfortable, or who maybe came alone, to busy themselves. Give them the platter of canapes and ask them to offer it around. While a table laden with food is wonderful, food on the move is fabulous for keeping conversations flowing, and it’s another great way to check on your guests without being obtrusive.
Listen out for offensive comments and dull conversation, and quickly whip out a pig-in-a-blanket to change the topic.
When the lights are low
Create intimate spaces where people can leave the buzz of the party and really get to know each other. Look for the corners of your backyard that are more private, hang a candle or lantern or two, maybe a blanket for cold knees, or a picnic rug on the grass with a few oversized cushions or bean bags.
If your party is inside, consider a lamp in a hallway with two chairs, or a softly lit study opened up with a decanter of whisky. Keep your bedroom off limits, and don’t even think about the kids’ bedrooms.
Create intimate spaces where people can leave the buzz of the party and really get to know each other. Look for the corners of your backyard that are more private, hang a candle or lantern or two, maybe a blanket for cold knees, or a picnic rug on the grass with a few oversized cushions or bean bags.
If your party is inside, consider a lamp in a hallway with two chairs, or a softly lit study opened up with a decanter of whisky. Keep your bedroom off limits, and don’t even think about the kids’ bedrooms.
The powder room
Remember to create a lovely space for guests to freshen up. Nobody wants to see how people ‘really’ live at a party, so put away the kids’ bath toys, get out the Missoni bath towels, and give the bathroom a good wipe over.
Fold up a few hand towels, so guests aren’t forced to dry their hands on your damp ones, and invest in a beautifully scented hand wash. In keeping with the theme of the party, put a lamp in the bathroom and hang a few fairy lights around the window. And, make sure you have plenty of toilet paper on hand.
Declutter Your Outdoors in Time for Party Season
Remember to create a lovely space for guests to freshen up. Nobody wants to see how people ‘really’ live at a party, so put away the kids’ bath toys, get out the Missoni bath towels, and give the bathroom a good wipe over.
Fold up a few hand towels, so guests aren’t forced to dry their hands on your damp ones, and invest in a beautifully scented hand wash. In keeping with the theme of the party, put a lamp in the bathroom and hang a few fairy lights around the window. And, make sure you have plenty of toilet paper on hand.
Declutter Your Outdoors in Time for Party Season
To play or not to play
When did we get too old for party games? Smaller, more intimate gatherings such as dinner parties are ripe for an after-meal board game; think Trivial Pursuit, Cards Against Humanity, even good old Monopoly works wonders on jaded adults, reminding them of happier days when real estate was cheaper.
Big parties, however, lend themselves to dancing. Don’t skimp on your sound system; I’ve seen a smoke machine and a few coloured lights change a drab backyard into Studio 54 with the flick of a switch. Create playlists that cater for all. People, especially adult people, simply do not get to dance as much as the average human being requires. Pilates and yoga don’t relieve stress in quite the same way.
When did we get too old for party games? Smaller, more intimate gatherings such as dinner parties are ripe for an after-meal board game; think Trivial Pursuit, Cards Against Humanity, even good old Monopoly works wonders on jaded adults, reminding them of happier days when real estate was cheaper.
Big parties, however, lend themselves to dancing. Don’t skimp on your sound system; I’ve seen a smoke machine and a few coloured lights change a drab backyard into Studio 54 with the flick of a switch. Create playlists that cater for all. People, especially adult people, simply do not get to dance as much as the average human being requires. Pilates and yoga don’t relieve stress in quite the same way.
Talking heads
It may sound naff but it’s worth googling interesting conversation topics before you venture forth. Don’t bother with politics and religion, unless you’re keen for an argument, but certainly keep abreast of the news of the day, without relaying your Facebook feed.
If that doesn’t work, encourage your friends to tell their funny stories to other people. People generally like to have the ice broken, so ask your witty guests to share their latest funny travel/family disaster story.
It may sound naff but it’s worth googling interesting conversation topics before you venture forth. Don’t bother with politics and religion, unless you’re keen for an argument, but certainly keep abreast of the news of the day, without relaying your Facebook feed.
If that doesn’t work, encourage your friends to tell their funny stories to other people. People generally like to have the ice broken, so ask your witty guests to share their latest funny travel/family disaster story.
More than party pies
Keep the food simple so you don’t have to spend all night in the kitchen. Do all of your preparation the day or night before, so you’ve only got the basics to take care of on the day.
Instead, save your energy for decorating. People don’t remember the food as much as your beautiful fairy lights and bunting draped along the pergola. Have plenty of cold, made-ahead-of-time canapes, hot stuff to throw in the oven later, and a wheel of cheese, crunchy bread rolls and a leg of ham for people to help themselves.
Whatever you choose, ensure that it isn’t fiddly and doesn’t require you to watch over it. You’ll want to get out there and be with your friends.
See more inspiring outdoor areas
Keep the food simple so you don’t have to spend all night in the kitchen. Do all of your preparation the day or night before, so you’ve only got the basics to take care of on the day.
Instead, save your energy for decorating. People don’t remember the food as much as your beautiful fairy lights and bunting draped along the pergola. Have plenty of cold, made-ahead-of-time canapes, hot stuff to throw in the oven later, and a wheel of cheese, crunchy bread rolls and a leg of ham for people to help themselves.
Whatever you choose, ensure that it isn’t fiddly and doesn’t require you to watch over it. You’ll want to get out there and be with your friends.
See more inspiring outdoor areas
Champagne anyone?
Keep drinks flowing, but also provide plenty of soft drinks and water. Falling down drunk is embarrassing, for everyone. And it sounds like a no-brainer, but don’t forget ice. If you’ve got a standard fridge, it will be jam packed with food. Have laundry tubs filled with ice, ready for people to pop their bottles into. Always have plenty of separate ice for putting into drinks as well.
Cater for more than enough with your glassware, otherwise you’ll run out. You can always buy glasses in bulk and store them in their boxes until the next party, or have a few sets of party goods on the move, loaning them out to a circle of friends when required. It’s far more environmentally friendly than plastic cups, and nicer to drink out of too.
Keep drinks flowing, but also provide plenty of soft drinks and water. Falling down drunk is embarrassing, for everyone. And it sounds like a no-brainer, but don’t forget ice. If you’ve got a standard fridge, it will be jam packed with food. Have laundry tubs filled with ice, ready for people to pop their bottles into. Always have plenty of separate ice for putting into drinks as well.
Cater for more than enough with your glassware, otherwise you’ll run out. You can always buy glasses in bulk and store them in their boxes until the next party, or have a few sets of party goods on the move, loaning them out to a circle of friends when required. It’s far more environmentally friendly than plastic cups, and nicer to drink out of too.
Don’t forget to smile
The role of party host can be gruelling. You’re balancing more than one group of friends at a time, making sure everyone is getting along, all while not burning the sausage rolls and searching for the napkins. Always take a minute or more to look around and see what a fabulous time people are having. Parties are so much fun, and don’t need to be stressful. Kick off your shoes, have a dance, and keep on smiling.
Tell us
Do you have any more tips on how to host a successful party? Share them in the Comments below, and join the conversation.
More
Read more stories about entertaining
The role of party host can be gruelling. You’re balancing more than one group of friends at a time, making sure everyone is getting along, all while not burning the sausage rolls and searching for the napkins. Always take a minute or more to look around and see what a fabulous time people are having. Parties are so much fun, and don’t need to be stressful. Kick off your shoes, have a dance, and keep on smiling.
Tell us
Do you have any more tips on how to host a successful party? Share them in the Comments below, and join the conversation.
More
Read more stories about entertaining
You’ve done all of the preparation. You were up at daybreak to get to the markets in order to source the best ingredients for your table. You bought fresh flowers in abundance, plus plenty of ice and Champagne. The canapes are a work of art. But despite all of this, you look around and see pained faces. Nobody is mingling, no-one is laughing, in fact, people are whispering to their partners. What has happened? How could this be?
First of all, don’t blame yourself, blame your guests! Where are their party faces? It’s time to uncover their inner fun, and it’s your job as party host to help them get into the swing of things.
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