10 Ways To Ruin Your Party

So, there may be a bit of sarcasm behind the title “10 Ways To Ruin Your Party!”  On Friday, I had the pleasure of speaking at the Foodie Friday Event in conjunction with the Arkansas Woman Bloggers Conference in Hot Springs.  I offered 10 Tips that will hopefully not “ruin” your party but only help, and I would love to share them with you…
Jana Hunter Interior Designer
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“Show and Tell”…  Examples of place settings…this one is from my article in At Home in Arkansas!

Tip 1:  PLANNING!

  • Event? (a shower, holiday, celebration, or just for fun)
  • Guests? (friends, family, guests you know/don’t know)
  • Sit-Down, Buffet, Potluck?

Tip 2:  MENU!

  • Theme?
  • Seasonal food
  • Number of Guests/Budget?
  • Make it simple and be creative
  • Magazines- great ideas

Tip 3:  COCKTAIL!

  • Signature drink (fun and budget friendly)
  • Ice and Garnishes
  • Non-alcoholic version/water
  • Fun paper products

Tip 4:  INVITATIONS!

  • Theme (event, menu, cocktail may influence)
  • Printed, handwritten, phone call, evites
  • RSVP vs. Regrets Only: I like RSVP.  This allows you to call your guest list if needed.
  • Be specific with information (event, date, time, place, dress)
  • Send at least 2 week in advance if not earlier

Tip 5:  ORGANIZATION!

  • Organize your dishes, tablecloths, napkins, serving pieces, etc. to be visible and accessible
  • Spiral, Phone, Calendar (Keep notes with you while planning)

Tip 6:  PRESENTATION!

  • Use theme/reason for setting the table
  • Centerpiece (flowers or decorative object(s))
  • Mix and match dishes
  • Place cards (may be favors as well)
  • Set the table in advance

Tip 7:  WALK THROUGH!

  • Go through checklist in spiral
  • Food prep
  • Straighten house (save deep cleaning for after the party)
  • Clean bathroom (fresh roll of toilet paper!)
  • 20 minutes before: lights on, candles lit, appetizers out)
  • Sweep front porch/walk
  • Cocktail/Bar ready

Tip 8:  ENJOY YOUR PARTY AND GUESTS!

  • Relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor
  • No one is perfect and no event is perfect
  • Ask guests if they need anything and make them feel welcome in your home
  • Sign of a good party: guests stay late and lots of laughter

Tip 9:  HAVE A HOUSE PROJECT? ENTERTAIN!

  • Endless list of house projects will be achieved if you throw a party
  • Plan these projects/honey-do’s in advance

Tip 10:  DON’T BE AFRAID! HAVE CONFIDENCE!

  • Reward yourself and have friends/family over
  • Start slow and ask one friend over or one couple

My goal was to encourage and inspire at least one person to entertain!  And guess what?  I received a tweet, and she will be starting slow and inviting one couple over!  Thank you to Debbie Arnold for a great event and to Tayla Boerner for a kind introduction!

Go Entertain and Enjoy the Day!

Jana

 

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