What To Keep in Mind When Throwing a Party

I'm no party planner, but I love a good get-together. In fact, parties are one of my absolute favorite things. Here are a small number of things I've learned from hosting a handful of parties.

1. Size doesn't really matter, at least not when it comes to a party. (Ahem.) No matter how many people actually show up, a successful party isn't about size. I've been at a party with four people and a party with fifty, both with similar invite lists. Both fun.

2. With that said, embrace the mindset that the more really is the merrier. Meaning, be welcome to new people, people you may not know well or have personally invited. Maggie wrote something that's become my new party (and, hell, life) philosophy: "if I'm going to screw up somewhere I want it to be because I don't have enough chairs, not because I left people off the invitation list."

3. How much fun you're having will translate into how much fun your guests are having. Fine, the stuffed mushrooms were burnt and that girl over there really dislikes that other one over here but as the hostess, relax, smile, enjoy yourself and everyone else will follow suit.

4. Too much food and drink is always preferable to not enough. You don't have to make everything from scratch. Hell, you don't have to heat everything up yourself. Just have lots of whatever it is you do serve. (And, hell again, it's okay to go pot-luck style. People don't mind bringing things when they're invited to a party. At least they shouldn't. If they're normal.)

5. Don't make yourself crazy. You should see our extra bath on party nights. Actually you shouldn't. It would make you talk badly about me behind my back. But, seriously, don't kill yourself scrubbing every corner and folding every piece of laundry. Throw whatever you didn't get to into a place you know your guests won't wander.

6. Details, details, details. I try to spend a little time writing down all the things I'd love to do at an upcoming party if time or budgets were of no concern. Then I try to pick one thing from that list and do that. This could mean a signature cocktail, a thoughtful favor, a really incredible dessert. It could mean anything, but just be thoughtful and genuine. For instance, after Kyle's birthday party, I mailed printed-out pictures from the party to guests who had great shots snapped of them. I also handmade the thank-you notes, which I think was a nice touch. Little things, details, thoughtfulness. Oh, it matters.

Plan a party. Enjoy yourself. Celebrate. And, invite me, if you wouldn't mind.

(Kidding about that last part.)

(Maybe.)

***

This weekend I hosted a mimosa (sunset) brunch with my best friend, Natalie. Here are some pictures from that particular shindig.

Comments

[natalie]

I love these tips... and now I want to throw a party! And I would totally invite you. DEFINITELY.

[Life of a Doctor's Wife]

I have thrown only a couple of parties ever, and it's always a Big To-Do. Which led my husband - before the last one - to say that we can never do another party because I am so crazed before hand.

Your tips seem very helpful in terms of Keeping the Crazy at Bay.

Do you have any tips for getting your spouse to a) help plan and b) be a more conscientious host? (My husband is kind and caring and very welcoming to people, but when we have people over, he seems to forget basic niceties like offering drinks in favor of mingling.)

[Heather]

That Thank You note is STILL on my fridge. It's a very joyous picture, and it reminds me to just feel happy about cake, or anything really. And you do throw a great party, and I am still a little sniffly that I had to miss the mimosa brunch. :)

[Home Sweet Sarah]

Good advice, m' lady! Now I just need some friends to invite over for a party!

[Roz]

Amen to #4. Even if there is "enough", having more than enough won't make me feel badly for going back for seconds (FINE - thirds...)

[auntie]

I like your idea about only doing ONE of the things on your Perfect Party list. I always make myself crazy because I want everything to be handmade and original and cute and blah blah blah! and it just can't be done. But I think just choosing one of those things would make me happy!

[Maggie]

I thought of you in church Sunday (WAIT, I have a POINT) because the sermon was all about inviting people to the Banquet and it was just... oh, I just loved it. I might have to write about it. The main points were: everyone is invited, even if you don't have enough food, even if you don't have enough space, simply because all are welcome. Even if they only get 1000 page views a month. (Okay, sorry, just had to throw that in there. It's out of my system now! Whew!)

[Kristie]

I really need to get over my fear of throwing parties that people won't have a good time at. I'm working on it.