Last week as I was working away on a party planning piece for HGTV, I sought a little help from the Twittersphere and posed a big question: What makes a great party? Well, all of you savvy hostesses blew me away with your smart responses, so I’m sharing the best tips (take notes!) Thought I’d accompany them with beachy images of my favorite glamour girls having a blast…’cause after all, isn’t that what summer entertaining is all about? By the way, please share what YOU think makes a great party in the comments section so we can add to the list!
- Get organized – the pre-party prep work is worth it if you can have fun at your own party.
- Delicious seasonal cocktails, and plenty of ‘em.
- Visually appealing appetizers. People might arrive starving!
- Lively, upbeat music in the background keeps people relaxed.
- Lighting that casts a flattering glow.
- Great food…and have too much of it!
- Decor that wows!
- A lively mix of guests (who also know when it’s time to go home.)
- Setting things up so that guests can help themselves, leaving you to be the perfect host.
- The hostess behaving as a guest at her own party!
Any more great tips to share?
It depends on the party, but I think a great party is one where there is something fun for the guests to do – besides eating, drinking and socializing. For instance, for my 40th b-day party I collected images from throughout my life and posted them on a board with trivia type questions for each. The guests participated by guessing the answers and the person who got the most questions correct, won a prize. My friends really had fun with this one, and it was fun for me to watch them try to pry the answers out of my family.
Another detail for a great party is making sure everyone is set up to enjoy the party (and the food) equally. Allergies, dietary restrictions, etc…. Part of this is knowing who is on your guest list, so you can make sure you accommodate them. I’ve been to way too many gatherings where the host prepares everything to suit their personal taste. Spicy foods for a group of sensitive eaters…or cheese in absolutely everything despite serving vegan guests… Of course there’s a limit to catering to the needs of every guest, but there’s no reason to play completely dumb!
you have a definite audrey hepburn vibe girl. you know how awesome my parties have always been
. i aways pray about who’s coming and why we are gathering. then i think about how to make these folks feel the most loved, welcomed and …joyful! that’s it. love you to pieces chick.
I think what makes any party great is remembering it’s about the people NOT the food or the decor. True, it’s great to have a beautiful setting, but some of the best parties I’ve been to were in a tiny NYC apartment with nothing more than takeout served on the coffee table with everyone sitting on the floor. Don’t let fear of not achieving everything you see in a magazine stop you from throwing a party.
Question: Why is there no attribution — photographer or source information — listed for the photos? Check out http://linkwithlove.typepad.com/
Hi Anne – thanks so much for the link. I’m very familiar with it and think it’s awesome! If you check our other posts, you’ll see that we always do our very best to attribute photographers to every photo. Unfort, I discovered each of these via pinterest, and the sources were bloggers who did not give attribution. I haven’t been able to find original sources, but if anyone can help me out, please share! I’d love to be able to add them in! xo
Great images Camille, some real classics in there! Where did you find these? I love the retro oranges and reds. Great tips too!
Never running low on yummy food or beverages!
I think through EVERY detail well in advance and love to put an effort into great table settings. At several successful dinner parties I have a pre-prepared question at each guest’s setting to keep the conversation flowing. Guests love it. I’m on the board of Capital City Scribes, so the questions come in the form of beautiful calligraphy.
A relaxed hostess and the accompanying relaxed atmosphere, fantastic music and a good group of people. Those and some yummy drinks are the main things to get the party started in my book
I always ‘lie to myself’ and pretend that guest are coming an hour earlier than they are. I really always need that extra time, no matter how far ahead I’ve planned.
I also often ask a girlfriend to come an hour early… that way I can get out of the kitchen and change / freshen up.
I always make a water station–pitcher, glasses, cocktail napkins and a little bowl of sliced lime or lemon. It’s important that guests can drink as much water as they want!
I also always try to have a fun mocktail or lemonade or fresh coconut! or iced tea for people who are preggers or alcoholic or just need a break between drinks!
i am planning a small surprise bday dinner for my boyfriend (prob. 12-14 ppl). usually when we have ppl over he’s the one grilling or cooking & i just decorate & mingle. but since it is a surprise i will be in charge of all of the above!!!! so…. i need HELP! what do i cook that is easy & delish?!?!?!? i need something that fills everyone up & still leaves me time to be a good hostess!
please HELP!