Hosting a Party? Here’s Exactly When to Shop, Prep (& Pour)
Home parties can come in many different shapes and sizes, right from a formal office party to a low-stakes gathering with friends, family and a few cocktails to give company. If you plan on crafting and serving a few drinks to your guests (provided they’re cocktail enthusiasts), your party can seem like a lot of constant prepping and planning — a never-ending task. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Your most frequently posed questions, right from how to go about inviting people to how to conduct yourself on the day as a friendly and approachable host who makes everyone feel at home, here are the answers in our short and informative guide for beginners and connoisseurs alike.
Where should I start planning for my home gathering?
Don’t worry, you can start small by simply looking at your calendar and choosing a date that works best for you. Whether that’s any time over the weekend, or a Friday night, the date is yours. Ensure to lock in this date and also try not to crowd too many activities on the said day. If at all you’re preoccupied during the day, you can block a few hours in the evening before the soirée to give yourself time to get everything in place for the party and also a breather after you’re done the prepping.
I don’t know how many guests to invite. When and how should I send out invites?
If it’s a Friday night or a weekend, chances are most people’s social calendars can be filled up really soon. In that case, ensure you send out invites early enough based on when your party’s taking place. The guest strength will also depend on how much space you have for your event and the kind of event you’re hosting. To make things simpler, if you’re inviting friends and family and want it to be a close-knit gathering, try targeting fewer people to keep the party as intimate as possible. You don’t want it to get too loud and bustling for other guests who are quiet and get easily overwhelmed.
When you’re inviting people, you must send out thoughtful invites to let them know you care about your gathering and about making all guests feel welcome. Adding a personalised message can help get the word out with ample care, thought and respect for the invitee.
What should I shop for and when?
Stick to the basics first. Keep your home bar stocked with versatile liquors like vodka and single malts which mix well with most cocktails and once procured, head to your local market or grocery store to grab suitable non-alcoholic mixers — garnishes, mixers like fruit juices, soda water and cola, and even an ice bucket. For starters, and depending on the size of the gathering, you can stock a standard 750 ml bottle of Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka or any other vodka of choice or based on availability, since vodka is most well-known for its clarity and neutrality. Citrus juices and soda or blended water are also universally loved and consumed.
Ensure you purchase these items by allotting some percentage of your budget for them in order to be light on the pocket while also stocking everything at least a week in advance. The earlier you secure your liquor, the more time you get to chill and store them appropriately in your home bar. You don’t want to go around looking for ingredients at the eleventh hour when your guests are just a few hours away! If you do so, you may also run the risk of not being able to find the right ingredients for your hosting event.
Also Read: Here’s A Simple Quiz To Find Out Your Party Hosting Style – And What You Should Serve
How do I make my guests feel welcome at my party?
Here’s your moment to truly shine at this party and make everyone turn their eyes at you for being a generous and gregarious host. Calm the nerves before your guests start arriving by delegating a few hours to yourself. In this time, you won’t be prepping for the party or laying down any appetisers; this time is for you and you only.
Once your guests start making their way to the venue, exchange pleasantries and guide them to the seating area. Also, ensure you have some engaging activities planned for the gamut, that is, activities both for the shy ones and those who are louder and more playful. Your job is to make everyone feel at home, irrespective of their personality, likes and dislikes.
When you’re making your guests drinks, you can experiment with everything from simple highballs to more complex cocktails that involve more ingredients. You can also start out with a classic gin and tonic, screwdriver or a vodka cranberry whose citrussy zing and sweet flavour profile are palatable to most. Along with these drinks, you can make these home appetisers that are sure to impress your line of guests.
[https://in.thebar.com/articles/house-party-appetizers-to-impress-your-guests].
While you’re at the beck and call of your guests almost every step of the way, it’s alright to sometimes leave them to fend for themselves. For instance, you can leave 2-3 ice buckets for your guests. Instead of making frequent trips to the kitchen and missing out on the party yourself, leaving an ice bucket or two provides easy self-serving pouring and demonstrates expert hospitality, letting guests know that you’ve taken the time to consider the comfort and enjoyment of their chilled drinks.
However, if managing the party alone gets daunting, you can also opt for a beloved family member or friend to help you out. There’s no shame in asking for help at these events, and everyone just wants to see you succeed as a host and have a fun time.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
