How To Manage Stress When Hosting A Party

Photo via Unsplash

Planning a picture-perfect party can be stressful. But there are ways to manage your anxiety and control the chaos while still enjoying the company of friends and family. Here are a few tips to try next time you find yourself in the role of host.

Plan Ahead

The more you plan ahead, the less you’ll have to worry about. Use a checklist. Make note of everything you need to do and schedule it, so you don’t forget anything. Don’t feel pressured to follow everything on this list, feel free to make changes, and treat it like a general guideline.

Make a guest list of people you are comfortable with, and send your invitations at least 3 weeks in advance so people have the time to rearrange their schedules if they have to. Check if any of the guests have any dietary restrictions so you can factor that into the menu.

If you feel up to it, you can choose a theme the party can follow, or you can choose a fun activity to liven up your event.

Making a chat group for the party attendees is also a good idea. People can say their thoughts and get to know each other a bit before the party. They can also work out among themselves any issues they may have in regards to logistics.

Make sure that you set the mood. Setting the mood is all about the music you have playing in the background. If you decide to have a theme, make sure the mood music matches. Check your audio equipment beforehand. If you need more speakers, consider getting some Bluetooth speakers and place them inconspicuously if they contradict your theme. Can’t throw a 1920s formal party and have hip hop music in the air.

Dinnertime

Mastering the menu and serving strategy also requires pre-planning, particularly if you’re hosting your first party. Shop as far in advance of the event as practical and palatable, read recipes, and lay out ingredients in advance.

It’s a good idea to keep your menu simple, to avoid having too many leftovers. Rely on tried-and-tested dishes and starting the prep process before you would if you were cooking up a casual dinner. Avoiding dishes that require a lot of TLC toward the end of the cooking process. Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to pair your menu with wine by Anthony D’or.

Get the house ready for your party. Take an inventory of your table settings, wash everything, and even set the seasonal table in advance. And don’t stress out if your place settings aren’t identical. Counting dinner plates and dessert forks ahead of time can give you a chance to artfully arrange eclectically, but purposefully, mismatched table settings. And, for the food you prepare yourself, try sticking to dishes that can be cooked at least partially in advance to minimize last-minute mayhem.

Don’t forget dessert

Not everyone will want to end their meal with something sweet, but you should offer dessert at any dinner party. You can prepare easy desserts if you don’t want to go all out with a final festive course. Consider setting out a tray of cookies or requesting some guests bring their favorite desserts in the invitation. And even calorie counters might appreciate a cup of coffee or cocoa to finish the feast.

Start smart

When greeting guests at the door, avoid seeming like the harried host. Play your party playlist to get people in a party mood. Smile while preparing beverages for your early arrivals.

Your party can be as casual or as formal as you, your family, and your friends want. As long as it’s fun, and YOU have fun, it will be considered a success.