It’s not always easy to be a host. You’ve got to think about all sorts of aspects of your party experience when planning, from keeping people entertained to ensuring you’ve got enough space. However, one of the things that should be top of your list is keeping people comfortable. Nothing is worse than going to a party and feeling awkward or not being able to make yourself at home, so here are some tips to ensure your venue is welcoming.
Create a chill out zone
Even if you’re throwing a wild club night, it’s important to have a smaller, separate area where people can go to relax. Clubbing is pretty tiring, and sometimes you just want to sit with your drink and catch up with friends, so you’ve got some energy to dance into the small hours. All you need is some big pillows, soft lighting, and a chill out music playlist to get the right atmosphere.
Get the right temperature
Nothing will annoy your guests more than turning up to a party that’s either baking hot or freezing cold. If your party is too hot, then people will migrate outside, ruining the atmosphere, while if it’s too cold, people will have to get bundled up and will ruin the look of their party outfits. Get your air conditioning serviced before the party and set it to a comfortable room temperature. Once you have a crowd, you may want to turn it down a little as things heat up when lots of people are in a small space.
Keep everyone hydrated
Yes, lots of alcohol will no doubt make your party into a lively event, but you should also think about providing water and other soft drinks to ensure people don’t get drunk too early in the evening. This is especially important during the summer months when it’s easy to get dehydrated without even noticing.
Never under-cater
You may make the assumption that people coming to the party won’t be interested in food, but it’s surprisingly easy to underestimate how much people will eat. You should calculate the amount of food and drink you’ll need for your event beforehand, rather than just winging it, as this will help you avoid waste. If you’re still unsure about amounts, ask your caterer, but make sure you choose to cater to all guests and not just a percentage of them.
Don’t leave it too late to eat
If you’re throwing an event that involves food and drinking, then make sure you don’t leave the food until too late in the evening. Lots of free alcohol plus empty stomachs can leave guests grouchy and fed up, or even heading off to get food. This is especially true at weddings, where guests may have to wait around during photos before they get fed. If you want to eat later, provide canapes in-between drinks to keep people going.
Throwing a party isn’t always easy, whether it’s a club night or a casual gathering of friends, but if you put your guest’s comfort first and make sure basic needs are met, you will throw a party that’s remembered for the right reasons.
