How to plan the perfect party

Dec 23 2010

If you’re reading this, you’re already half way towards planning your perfect party.

You see, the key to an unforgettable event is admitting that you need to prepare. Not only will advance planning help you create a party worthy of legend, it will also allow you to enjoy yourself. Rather than burning the vol au vents, mopping up wine spills or dashing to the store for ice, you’ll be doing what your best at: entertaining your guests.

The best way to ensure your party goes according to plan is to create a checklist. Of course, every party is different, so you should definitely add to the list below, but this will give you a perfect place to kick off your preparations. If you do end up looking for more ideas on party planning and inspiration, there are tons of good ideas over at Jackpot Party.

Plan Something Wonderful: You have to be behind your party 100%; there’s no point in having it otherwise. If you really want to hook people in, consider throwing something a bit more daring than a standard house-party… what about fancy dress, a murder mystery or a games’ night. When you send out your invites, give your party an original name and make it sound fun! At the same time, don’t forget to include all the important information… the address, the start and end time, the food and drink situation and the dress code. Provide a way for your guests to RSVP so you can at least get an idea of numbers.

The Guest List: A party without guests is a sad affair; your friends are the most crucial ingredient in a perfect get together.

- Friday and Saturday nights book up quickly, particularly around Christmas time, so make sure you give your guests at least a few weeks’ notice if you’re aiming for a weekend party.

- Don’t expect everyone on your guest list to come, even if they say they will. It’s better to have too many guests than too few so err on the side of caution when it comes to writing your guest list.

- Social tools like Facebook are perfect for organising parties as they allow your guests to RVSP really easily, but do be careful of unleashing the virality of the platform- you don’t want a ‘Facebook Party’ on your hands! - Remind guests about your party a few days before the event, just in case it’s slipped their mind! - Ask a few of your most reliable friends to arrive an hour or so early – this will help get you in the mood and will avoid that awkward situation of early or overly punctual guests.

Be Considerate: If your party’s going to be late or loud, make sure you let your neighbours know a few days ahead of time. Ideally, you should invite them along to the shindig but, if that’s not possible, let them know what time you’ll be finished and give them a number to contact you on should they have any problems.

Food and drink preparations: Even if you’re not providing your guests with all their food and drink for the party, it’s a really good idea to have a few treats up your sleeve to make them feel special. There’s no reason this has to get too expensive – here are a few cheap ideas for drinks and nibbles: cheese straws – easy, cheap and delicious; dips – a big pot of humous will go a long way at a party. Use sliced vegetables instead of crisps as your dipping tool and you’ll cut the price down even further.

Spiced cider – a big bottle of cheap cider isn’t a particularly stylish drink… but warm it on the hob with a dash of rum, a few cinnamon sticks, an orange and clove or three and you’ll have guests fighting over the ladle; sangria – another cheap and tasty drink that can be made to serve lots of people. Buy a few cheap bottles of red wine and then glam things up with orange juice, plenty of chopped fruit, a spoonful of sugar and some ginger ale.

All these party foods and drinks can be prepared in advance. You don’t want to be slicing limes while blow drying your hair, so either find an accomplice you can delegate to or get started on the prep a good day or half day ahead of kick off. If you’re providing finger food, you don’t need to worry about plates and cutlery, but you will have to provide enough glasses for your guests. If you’d rather avoid using paper cups, small pyrex tumblers are cheap, sturdy and feel rather more sophisticated than you might expect.

Atmosphere Fact: a bad atmosphere can ruin a party, even if all the other ingredients are spot on. Here are a few things to bear in mind: lighting – if it’s going to get dark outside at some point during your party, make sure you have some subtle lighting to complement the occasion. A bright, overhead light never works – don’t do it to your poor guests! music – take the time to prepare some kind of playlist for your party. If you don’t have the time or the tracks to do this properly, why not ask your music-loving friend if they would do you the honour? seating – it’s almost a given that you won’t have enough chairs for your guests. Some people will be happy to stand or sit on the floor, but make sure you provide at least some alternatives, for example a rug with some cushions; smells and scents – if you’re cooking cheese straws and spiced cider your house should smell delicious without any need for extra attention. However, if you really want to push the boat out, a stick of incense or a scented candle will work wonders.

Good luck and have fun!