How to Host a Stress-Free Party

A party’s bar is its focal point. Prepare appropriately and this will be a great asset. Set the bar up to look beautiful and make it easy for your guests to serve themselves and replenish it as needed.

• You do not need a literal bar to keep your guests satiated. You just need a spot you can dress up a bit that is optimally located – somewhere easy to access that won’t get too congested if a few people are congregating around. Dressers, desks, kitchen islands or an entryway console will all work.
• Top with an attractive fabric you’d like to put on display and set out water, alcoholic beverages, snacks, cocktail napkins, glassware, a bottle opener and any utensils that will be needed.

Your bar will also need a solid ice setup. Have at least two ice buckets set out. One designated to keeping drinks cool (this one should be large and wide to allow for easy bottle nestling), and another that guests can self-serve from (a mid-sized bucket and scoop works well for this).

• Keep backup ice in the freezer and prep some crushed ice, which is always a crowd-pleaser and makes self-service much easier. Crush ice by placing cubes on a dish towel and layering over to cover, then hammer-away.
• Crushed ice also makes for easier bottle storage. Fill your large bucket halfway with crushed ice, shimmy bottles into the bed and then pour water on top of the ice. This will position the bottles to slip less and be better submerged, keeping them cooler, longer.

Tip: No ice buckets? Sub in a planter, stockpot or even a mixing bowl. Just make sure to put a cloth napkin or dish towel underneath to keep the surface dry.

• An impressive display of water is a must. Place sliced citrus, herbs, berries and/or cucumbers into a pitcher and top with water. This will be a great addition to decor and will keep your guests happy and hydrated.
• Have at least one water pitcher at the ready and a second sparkling option is also a solid choice. Some stellar flavor combinations include lime and mint, grapefruit and rosemary, cucumber and basil.
• Drinks are up to you, but our advice: Don’t go too complicated. Drinks that cannot be made in batches or anything that involves super-delicate herbs or requires muddling aren’t ideal. A spritz, sangria or a cocktail like a paloma, which can be made by mixing equal parts grapefruit juice, club soda and tequila, are all excellent go-to’s.
• It’s nice to have at least one wine and one beer option for your guests. If your party preparation to-do list is getting a bit overwhelming, do not hesitate to outsource beer and wine to your guests. Ask that they bring their favorite bottles and you will have one less thing to worry about, and ensure your guests get to enjoy their preferred beverage.
• Be sure to include a non-alcoholic option for your guests. This can be kept simple; no need for fashioning a complicated mocktail. Instead, your go-to’s should be lemonades, ciders or seltzer water with a bit of fresh fruit.

Tip: When deciding on a non-alcoholic drink offering consider this rule of thumb: seltzer plus a fruit juice of your choosing plus freshly cut fruit of your choosing.

Snacks are an integral part of the party. They should be tasty and simple. Your guests will appreciate things that are easy to eat and you’ll appreciate keeping things straightforward.

• You should provide snacks that are easy to prepare and easy for your guests to eat. Remember, snacking won’t always happen at a dining table. This means crostini, olives, cheese and crackers, chips and nuts are all your friends. These snacks are easy to eat in just one or two bites and require no prep at all. You will just need some pretty bowls for display and a utensil or two.
• Avoid selecting anything that must be made “à la minute” or right before serving. For a fuss-free party, choose snacks that can be made before guests arrive.

• Cocktail napkins are very important when you’re serving bites like this. Also, when it comes time to clean up, you will be thanking yourself for selecting as many disposable serving tools as possible. So, go ahead, invite guests to use cocktail napkins as plates – that way, you will have no plates to wash!
• It is a good idea to scatter a few snack stations around the party space. This will keep the party from developing any bottlenecks (or hungry attendees).

Tip: Alongside your snack bowls, be sure to set out clear trash receptacles. For foods like olives, vegetables with stems or nuts with shells, place a small bowl alongside with a clue like a pit, stem or shell. Your guests will be tipped off as to what to do with their leftovers.

Take stock of your space before filling it. What will it ideally look like when the party is in full swing? Do you want people to mingle throughout the home, congregate in an especially sunny corner or enjoy the patio? This should guide your seating and decor decisions.

• Generally, it makes sense to set things up so that guests aren’t tied to a specific spot. Unless you’re throwing a formal dinner party, setting places will keep guests from chatting comfortably and feeling at home.
• Make it easy for guests to move around the party to mingle and access snack stations by peppering seating options around the space.
• Use dining chairs to create conversation corners throughout your space. Clusters of three and four seats in a semicircle are ideal. Avoid long rows.

For those who don’t have endless folding chairs stashed in the attic, stock up on throw pillows. These, along with poufs, are great multipurpose items that contribute to a space’s aesthetic and create a laid-back seating vibe. Stack them on the floor to encourage floor-seating and folks will be content to get cozy.

To minimize party prep stress, you need to whittle down your to-do list.

• Make sure that as many of your party fixtures as possible serve you in more than one way. Food and drink should add to the party’s look and feel, as should seating.
• A few purely-for-aesthetic touches will serve you, though. Flowers and candles are simple and pack a punch. If you don’t have vases or candle holders on hand, Mason jars are the perfect stand-in for either of these. You can also choose to place a single stem in a tumbler for an elegant, minimalist touch.
• Candles will help set the mood with a pretty glow, but you should be mindful of lighting beyond this. If you can, skip the overhead lighting and opt instead for table lamps or floor lamps.

• Set the music beforehand and have a playlist that will last through the night.
• Prep a stockpile of supplies (extra napkins, glassware, utensils and water) and leave everything in one easy-to-access spot in your kitchen.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help – beforehand or during the party.
• When it’s time to wrap up the party, serve your guests coffee. It’s a great way to finish off the evening.
• Avoid overhead or bright lighting to keep a relaxed vibe.
• Keep a window open in the kitchen, or elsewhere. Most people gather in a kitchen and an open window can keep it from getting too warm.
• Check the bathroom regularly to tidy and stock supplies as needed.