Today I want to talk about a few things that we all could benefit from. We've all either hosted or have been hosted at a party, and I'd like to throw out a few tips for these occasions. I am guilty of a few of these. Lord help me to be more gracious and kind!
Being Hosted:
1. When you're going to a party, make sure you're on time.
It is extremely RUDE and insensitive to show up an hour after the party has started. If you're going to be under 30 minutes late, call, or text, and explain. Then get there as fast as you can. There is NO excuse for being an hour late unless there has been an emergency. (By emergency, I mean, someone is hurt; not your hair needed washed.) If you are having a time management problem, check out my time management planner idea. (See below) It is better for you not to show up at all than for you to show up extremely late.
2. Ask if you can bring anything.
It's very polite, and your host will love it!
3. Communicate.
Are you arriving at 6? Or eating at 6? Knowing these things will help you make an informed judgement. For instance, if you have children, you know that they can't always wait until 6. You may need to feed them before you go.
4. Decide whether you're attending or not.
A few days in advance you need to let your host know that you're going, or not. Emergency aside, NEVER, ever, ever, change your mind last minute. A lot of work, time, and money goes into hosting a party. Unless you want to be a mean person, avoid this.
5. Make sure your children are invited.
If someone is having a couple's party, please don't take your children without asking. It might not bother anyone, but it's always best to check with your host first.
6. Offer to help clean up.
Hosting:
1. Issue an invitation, and give them time to think about it.When you're planning a party, it's always best to give your guests time to RSVP. It's a good idea to double check with everyone the day before to save you from heartache.
2. Give details.
What are you eating? When you are eating? What you are playing? Who is coming? What is the party for? These are things that guests need to know. Some people don't get along well together, and you may not know it. It is very embarrassing for a guest to have to explain that they don't like someone, and why, so ALWAYS make sure you tell them who's coming BEFORE you ask for their answer. I would avoid inviting anyone else last minute, unless you are absolutely SURE that your guests are okay with that person, and then it would still be polite to ask them if they're okay with it before you do any extra inviting.
3. Get out your notebook and plan.
Not everyone can manage 100 things in their head. If you stink at time management, I recommend planning ahead by writing everything down. (See example below) Make whatever you can ahead of time and ALWAYS make sure you can eat when you said you were going to be eating. It is horrible to make people wait at your house for hours while you're still cooking, especially if they have children. If this happened to me, I would want nothing more than to walk out and leave. (I probably wouldn't, but I would really, REALLY want to.)
4. Know your guests and pair them well.
Maybe everyone gets along, but there are some guests that blend better together than others. (You know what I mean.) If you're not a conversationalist, invite someone who is. Believe me, there are some people who can carry the conversation all night long. Also, know what food and games your guests enjoy. You wouldn't want to invite a diabetic to a pie tasting, or a tone-deaf to a karaoke contest.
5. Clean up.
Do a little (or a lot) cleaning the day before, or if you have children, during nap time. It's nice to go to someone's home where you know they're clean, and you don't have to worry about sitting on the floor, or about the quality of the food they put in front of you. Clean your house, light a candle, make it nice.
6. Put your pets away.
Yes, I know. You love your pets, I love mine too; but they have a time and a place, and it's not at a party. Sometimes we get sitters for our children, sometimes we get sitters for our pets. (Or at least put them in their room.) If you are clueless as of how to restrain/hide your pet, check Pinterest. I'm sure it's on there.
7. Think!
Walk through your house as if you are a guest. You'll get a lot of insight. Is there toilet paper in the bathroom? Soap? Hand towel? (Tip: keep a lit candle in the bathroom. It will make your guests feel better in case there is a ...situation.) Remember! T.E.E. Talk, Eat, Entertainment = Fun party!
Time Management Planner:
*If you're making food that will make you smell like a hog, add shower/cleanup time in your planner after you cook. Find a way to keep the food warm.
*I have 2 ovens, and I don't do anything slow. Plan for the time YOU need.
*If you're GOING to a party, your planner could look something like this:
Party at 6pm.
1:00 pm. Make potato salad for party.
2:00-4:00 __________________.
4:00 Shower and wash hair.
4:30 Pick out party clothes.
4:45 Dry and fix hair.
5:00 Start getting kids ready.
5:40 Load kids, and potato salad in car.
5:45 Leave for party.
I understand that there's more in a day than making potato salad and showering, but you get the point!
