In the past year we've been asked for tips on obvious blunders to avoid when hosting a party. For some people hosting seems nearly natural and effortless; but most folks can use help with what to avoid.
No worries! We've compiled a list of our top 5 don'ts so that if you're planning on hosting a party soon, especially if you don't hire paid help, you won't be the fodder of gossip, real or cyber, for weeks.
1) Don't give a party if you don't have enough money--Nothing is tackier than a host/ess who needs all the food, beverages, props, etc., donated. One exception: if you're graciously honest about it, such as by telling people or stating in the invite that you are only providing the space. And if you have to borrow that too, save up and host a party when you can afford it so you won't be labeled cheapo behind your back.
2) Don't put out folding metal buffet tables without a tablecloth to the floor--the legs of these tables are ugly! Rent, borrow, or beg a table covering to the floor unless you want your party to look like a homely church picnic. Or use sheets or quilts, even if you have to overlap them. And UNFOLD the table covering--don't put it folded in ANY WAY on the metal buffet tables because you'll still see the ugly table legs.
3) Don't set out food on a buffet in the package it came in--This is so obvious as to boggle our minds, but young people, especially, do this. At least put purchased food like burgers, wings, chicken, taquitos, etc., on a PLATE. Any plate is better than leaving it in its box on the buffet. Also, put the glasses on the beverage table and the plates/cutlery on the food buffet table--Make sense?
4) Don't forget to put some kind of flowers or a potted plant or something decorative as a centerpiece on your buffet table--This goes in the middle as you are looking at the table, but toward the back. This really "makes" the space, makes it more festive, and is appropriate unless your guests are all under 5 years. Centerpiece ideas: pillar candle, bowl with water and flower petals or heads or even just leaves, a bowl with shells--and your centerpiece doesn't have to be frilly. It can be anything related to the event--golf, horses, scuba, a promotion, whatever the party theme. And related to this: don't let guests cover up your centerpiece with potluck dishes. At a party last year a friend arranged some flowers on a buffet and then her daughter's friends put bags of cups, bags of chips, and a box of wings leaning against the flowers so you couldn't see them when there was plenty of room on the table.
5) Don't count on supermarket near-instant appetizers to impress your guests--Those little oven appetizers turn hard as a rock and dry in less than 5 minutes and people recognize them a mile off. At a party we attended a couple of years ago the hosts made this mistake and not only did the guests only eat chips and salsa, they gossiped about the rocklike appetizers for weeks. Rethink the party if necessary--do wine or beer and a couple of cheeses or two desserts or buy some good sliders from a restaurant (and put the sliders on a TRAY). Avoid hot foods if you can't keep them hot.
The same way the Web notices and puts out for all to see poor products and services, your guests notice your party blunders. But by keeping in mind a few don'ts, you'll avoid the worst blunders.
Warmly,
Kristina
Kristina Ríos de Lumbreras, Ph.D.
Director of Sales and Operations/Event Manager
Fandango Catering and Events
info@fandango-catering.com
http://www.fandango-catering.com/
(713) 522-0077
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