If you’re planning to host a party in your home you’re probably very aware that there is plenty of organizing to be done.There’s nothing wrong with a little healthy competition and rivalry between friends or family. It can be fun to try and one-up your friends when you are planning an event and this is certainly the case with house parties. You’re going to want to give them a party that they’ll remember for a long time.

Show Off Your Best Rooms

Showing off your best rooms will definitely impress the guests at your next house party. Your living room, front room, kitchen, or any other room you love will show them that you’ve worked hard to create a house that you’re proud of. Maybe your living room has a large, fancy television, or your front room has a comfortable couch that you want them to see. Having a house party gives you the perfect opportunity to show off the rooms in your house that you love the most.

Move Outside

Moving the party outside to your patio or deck is a good idea if you want to open things up. Things like outdoor fireplaces, heaters, light, and other things that can add to your guest’s experience. When the weather is right, it can be nice to be outside. Barbecuing or roasting marshmallows on your firepit can be a great and memorable experience.

Stick to a Theme

There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a few friends over for dinner and drinks, but you can make the occasion so much more special if you add a theme. It can relate to something that is occurring either in your family or the community, or it could simply be something that everyone attending enjoys. For example, you can have your own “dinner and a movie” night with cuisine appropriate to the film you are going to run. You might even cook up something that the characters in the movie enjoy!

Offer Appetizers

Food is always a good thing. Keep easy to prepare snacks and drinks available at all times. One fancy way to offer appetizers is bite-sized foods on custom bamboo toothpicks. Make sure you have age appropriate food as well (for children and elderly).  A snack drawer, drink station, and deli drawer in the fridge are great options for guests. It’s also a great touch to put snacks in different parts of the house too. A good snack will also be a nice welcoming gesture. Prepare a special drink to toast to when you welcome your guests to your home. Make sure your guests drink alcohol if you’re offering them alcohol. Have the right wine and other liquor on hand for those interested, but make sure that people do not have too many drinks before they have at least had a few appetizers. Feeling slightly buzzed is relaxing and fun, but too much alcohol on an empty stomach is trouble for some people.

Clean

Order and cleanliness are paramount when visitors are received. Clean the living room, the dining room, the kitchen and the bathroom. Keep all the things in the corresponding places and put all the furniture in such a way that they do not hinder when walking past. It’s a no-brainer to make sure to clean your home before guests arrive. Take an hour to fluff the pillows, dust the furniture, wash the dishes, empty the trash, vacuum and mop the floors. But try also getting some more luxurious products for guest bathrooms and bedrooms in addition to freshly laundered sheets and towels. Adding a seasonal candle, hand soap, lotion, and shampoo to a guest bathroom goes a long way.

Menu

Think about foods that complement each other, while also adding some variety. Don’t pair up extremes like, say, lobster tails and chocolate covered bacon, but also don’t have too many of the same thing. Make sure that your schedule also allows you plenty of time with your guests. Conduct an informal survey amongst people you plan to invite in order to get some ideas. This is also a way that you can solicit information about possible food allergies and any accommodations you might need to make. 

One option to impress guests would be to explore some new recipes that they won’t have tried before and may have never even heard of. In doing so, you can guarantee that your house party tastes and feels completely fresh and unique. It can be tempting after so many preparations to just plop some vanilla ice cream on a plate and pass that around for dessert. Don’t forget that dessert is the treat of any dinner—it might be the only time this week when guests watching their figure get to indulge. Provide a sweet and satisfying finish for your meal that leaves everyone full and happy.

Entertainment

It’s great if you can have a wide array of options available to your guests, whether it’s a game of Monopoly, a dip in the pool, or an On Demand movie rental, offer your guests something to do. have age-appropriate tasks for guests to help you with. Guests love to contribute and feel like they’re part of your home. If your party is including children, you should have something for them to do while the adults are catching up.

Create Atmosphere

Display fresh flowers, light a candle, lay a cozy blanket on the sofa, and make sure the thermostat is set to a comfortable temperature. You can also offer the adults their own robe and slippers. Go above and beyond for them!  You want your guests to feel at home. An inviting atmosphere is key. Welcome your guests with open arms and an inviting home. 

This list is how you will be able to impress the guests at your next house party. In doing so, you will be able to make sure that your event is a hit and set the bar high for the next friend who decides to plan their own dinner event. 

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