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