12 Essential Tips For Hosting & Being A Great Host
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Here is everything you actually want to know about how to host a party. These essential tips for hosting will elevate your hosting game to the next level.
Table of Contents
How I Learned To Host Great Parties
Like all skills, hosting is a muscle that must be trained, and that can only take place over time. While some people may have more insight or a bit of a head start, anyone can learn to host an amazing event.
I began hosting parties as early as high school. I distinctly remember gathering supplies for my Barack Obama Inauguration Party. I was doing it all on my own, even though I’d only invited 4 or 5 people. I began hosting friends for sleepovers, game nights, and even study sessions. I also planned any events I could with any organizations I was a part of.
With each event, I took notice of what I did and did not like, what I would do differently next time, and what I would keep the same. Over 15 years later, as I host birthdays, game nights, dinner parties, and more, I still take note of those same things, constantly moving forward.
How I Decide What Type of Event to Host
Before deciding on almost any other aspect of your party, you will have to decide the type of party you want your event to be. That means size, tone, vibe, and feel are priority number one. Here are the different types of parties and what each one looks like.
Intimate vs. Standard vs. Grand
Everyone’s ideas around intimate vs grand will differ, so ultimately you will need to follow your own intuition for this. However, for me, an intimate event is 20 people or fewer because I’m usually hosting from home. These events can be hard because there is not really anywhere to hide anything. The awkwardness, lulls, and things that don’t land can be a bit more on display, so prepare for that.
20-100 people is a standard party size for me, and these are often hosted at a venue, so the range is a bit wider.
Anything above 100 people is a large event. These events will take a considerable amount of time and planning to ensure everyone is enjoying themselves.
These numbers are what I keep in mind when I’m sending invites out, and as RSVPs roll in. If I invite 50 people, but see only 20 are able to make it, I may make adjustments to scale certain aspects back to work for a more intimate environment.
What Makes A Great Host
A Great Host Considers The Guest Experience
Every detail of your event should be planned from the perspective of a guest. While you may know your intentions and be comfortable in your space, someone else may not. Think ahead and plan around any obstacles that a guest could encounter. This includes knowing whether shoes are allowed, locating the bathroom, not being seated too close to a speaker, and even how to plate their food. I always do my best to inform guests that we are a ‘no shoes’ house, even then I offer up shoe covers, guest slippers, or clean socks just in case they forget!
A Great Host Rolls With Imperfection
Not everything will work out perfectly, every event. The sooner you learn to either roll with it or quickly adjust, the more you will be able to enjoy yourself as a host. Most of the things that the host sees as going wrong, guests never notice.
A Great Host Plans and Then Plans Again
There is no such thing as being too prepared. Create an initial game plan, and then create contingencies. If the contingencies fall through, see the previous point. I personally use a combination of vision boards and my own party planning checklist. You can get yours for FREE here.
Secrets for Introvert Hosts
As someone who hosts often, people don’t think I am an introvert. However, hosting is perfect for introverts because it involves interacting with people, on their own time, in their preferred place, and then going to bed!
Go With What You Like
There are plenty of rules and handbooks on how to host a party, but ultimately, it’s your space. While your event is for your guests, if you are uncomfortable in your space, you cannot meet your potential. If something has the ability to make you too uncomfortable or out of your element, skip it.
Don’t Be Afraid to Keep It Short
Don’t be afraid to set an end time to the event and don’t be afraid to usher guests out around that time. If you’re not comfortable being direct, slow the music and begin cleaning up; at least one guest will get the point and begin an exodus.
Set Boundaries Clearly
Set your boundaries clearly and from the start, this allows you to reallocate the energy you would’ve spent addressing those issues, on socializing instead. This can be anything from no shoes in the house to nobody is allowed to change the music.
How To Host A Party That Stands Out
Unique Ideas and Special Touches
Look for opportunities to create a special touch or unique spin anywhere you can. Anything that can be customized or flipped in some way will add details that guests will appreciate. I often do this by creating custom name place cards that fit the theme. As seen in the image below, each place setting had a menu with the guest’s name on the tail of the ribbon (omitted for privacy) to indicate their seat.
Attention To Detail
Pay attention to the details. If you’re setting a table, you should be able to look down your table at eye level and have your plates and utensils lined up just as they should be. Your napkins should be wrinkle-free. The bathroom should be fully stocked. The ice should be accessible and near the drinks. Pay attention to the small things.
Lean Into Socializing, Not Away
If you plan to host a party, a game night, or whatever else, you have to get comfortable socializing. Know this far in advance and prepare yourself. If you feel like you’re still learning to socialize, think of some interesting questions or topics to bring up and start the conversation. If you feel a break in the momentum, direct the conversation to an extrovert who can swiftly pick it back up. Either way, don’t be afraid of the social aspect of hosting.
12 Essential Tips for Hosting
These are some tips on how to host a party that I have gathered over the years, and always make sure to refer back to them anytime I host.
- It’s never too early to start planning. A plan is just a plan until it’s put into action, so there’s no harm in getting started early. This also allows you time to change your mind about certain things or make adjustments.
- Plan in a way that works for you( e.g., charts, vision boards, outlines, etc.. If you work better with a detailed outline than a vision board, don’t waste your time on a vision board, and vice versa. This is your plan being put into action; it should work for you. Don’t feel obligated to stick to one type of organizing either, I do To-Do Lists, Outlines, and Vision Boards.
- Set the tone and expectations with your invitation. If you’d like the event to be more upscale, show that by putting time and effort into your invite. Want it to be laid back, send an event that feels more relaxed and casual.
- Be clear about the dress code; you can also provide inspiration photos. There is nothing to gain from being ambiguous about the dress code, and so much to gain from being direct.
- Plan your menu, serving layout, and serveware. The more you plan, the less that can go wrong. After finalizing your menu, choose what each food item will be presented in and how guests will interact with it.
- Curate the music to fit the tone of the event.
- Shop your home for decor and materials first. You have much more than you realize that can be temporarily repurposed, especially if you buy items with reusing them in mind. Take a look at what you already have and get creative.
- Pay attention to the small details like place settings, napkins, etc.
- Consider every space with which guests will interact and add nods and special touches. This means that if guests will be allowed in certain rooms, hallways, or bathrooms, try to look at them through the eyes of a guest and see what details you can add and where.
- Create a ‘Day Of’ schedule or plan. You may not hit every mark, but having an idea of what needs to be done is much easier than trying to remember it all.
- Schedule tasks to leave time to greet and interact with guests as they arrive. It’s better to finish the risotto after the guests have arrived and carry on a conversation than to be stuck in the middle of making the risotto and unable to stop and greet your guests and make them comfortable. Think about every task in this manner.
- If you don’t want extra food, have to-go boxes available.
Party Planning Checklist
If you want to skip the legwork, you can have FREE access to my personal party planning checklist! This checklist is as comprehensive as I need, and while everything does not apply each time, I like to still have them on the list in case I forget to consider them. This digital version allows me to check and uncheck items as needed.
You can get your own copy for FREE here!
If you’d like some specifics on how to host a party outdoors, you can check here. Any other hosting content can be found here.
