But, throwing a party can be stressful and requires planning, setup and supervision. Over the years, I have worked hard to make setting up and hosting a party faster, easier and less stressful - that way I can enjoy the time with the people that attend.
Here are a few things I have learned that have helped me:
- Set up a trash / recycle area, away from the food area(s).
- I have a pvc pipe trash bag holder that is easy to put together. It holds two bags - so I can mark one with a sign for trash and one for recycling.
- It helps keep people from digging in my cabinets trying to figure out where I hide my cans.
- It helps the flow of traffic around the food area(s).
- It breaks down to store easily and doesn't take up much room.
- I can easily wash the pvc pipes if they get dirty.
- I place trash bags under the open bags, that way I can swap them out easily during the party, when the bag is full.
- Put out extra towels and an extra roll of toilet paper in your bathroom.
- This saves me having to check the bathroom off and on during the party.
- Dedicate a shelf/shelves in your cabinet(s) to hold party bowls, platters, etc.
- I have two shelves that are high and require a stool (or John) to reach the partyware. I keep it all together on these shelves, to make it easy to find when I have a party. It also keeps it out of the way of my normal daily bowls and plates.
- Keep your paper products in a box.
- I have a box that I put all my paper products. If I know the party is a paper-product sort of party, I can just pull out that box and everything is there (bowls, plates, utensils, koozies and napkins). I also keep an electric strip in this box, in case I need to plug in crock pots and warming trays.
- This keeps my cabinets clear and I can store it near the pvc trash can so I can grab everything in one trip.
- Put beverages in a cooler or tub.
- If the party is larger and I am concerned about every thing fitting in my frig, I put out a few beverage coolers or larger, round tubs.
- This helps keep the food area less crowded.
- This allows people to help themselves.
- For my tubs, I put down a plastic bag, covered with a beach towel, to help absorb the condensation. Helps keep my floors safer and ensures no one slips if water builds up under the tubs.
- Put out chairs and tv trays (or small tables) to allow people to make themselves at home.
- You don't need to be fancy with this, just set them around - people will move them to fit their needs.
Most importantly, remember that people are there to visit with you and other people. They are not there to do a white glove test or check your baseboards for dirt. You don't need to deep clean before the party. You don't need to have everything perfectly arranged. People want to feel at home and enjoy the time together. They will make it work and probably feel more relaxed if your house is not perfectly set for the party.
I have found, over the years, I can put together most of the party in the morning. I then catch a nap. I set up the rest of the rest of the party right before people start showing up, or while they are showing up. The chaos of new people appearing helps cover my last minute grab for serving utensils or toothpicks for appetizers. Remember - the idea is to have fun and everyone else should have fun also.
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