Hosting a party is one of the most enjoyable parts of the holiday season. Follow our easy tips, and your NYC home will be ready for throwing a fabulous fête in no time!
Get Organized and Clean
Don’t wait until the night before your party to start cleaning. That’s a recipe for stress! Start now and determine your problem areas. Clear the clutter, then create a plan of attack for keeping things clean.
Maybe you need to schedule a regular cleaner. If you prefer doing things yourself, set up a plan. Schedule small cleaning tasks for each day of the week to keep things manageable. This roundup of free weekly cleaning schedules will get you started.
Image Source: Flickr/Kenneth Lu
Stock Your Pantry
Hosting a party is easy when you have a well-stocked pantry, plus you’ll be able to throw an impromptu gathering with little to no planning!
Start by cleaning out your refrigerator, cabinets, and pantry — if you are one those New Yorkers lucky enough to have one! Get rid of or donate items you’ll never use and toss anything that’s expired.
Now that you have extra room, stock up on party essentials. Shop ahead of time and look for deals on napkins, cheese, crackers, olives, and other nonperishable foods, plates, glasses, and anything else you’ll use regularly during the holiday season. You can even buy these items in bulk if you’re planning to host multiple parties and have room to spare.
Stick with What You Know
It’s tempting to try out a bunch of intricate, delicious-sounding recipes when hosting a party, but resist the temptation!
Instead, stick with what you know. Do you have a recipe that always garners rave reviews? Make that. If you come across a recipe that you just have to try, do a test run ahead of time. You’ll know what to expect come party day and will be able to work out any kinks.
Similarly, create a music playlist filled with your favorites and keep decorations simple, yet festive. There’s no need to go over the top!
Image Source: Flickr/Jennifer
Set Up a Simple Bar
Plan ahead and set up a simple bar so you’re ready to entertain once the holidays arrive.
If you’re starting from scratch, purchase the basics: liquor (gin, whiskey, vodka, etc.), aromatics, and mixers (juice, club soda, etc.). With these ingredients, your guests will be able to prepare a variety of classic cocktails. A Beautiful Mess has a great guide to stocking a bar based on a variety of budgets.
If you’re not a drinker, you’ll want to have a variety of nonalcoholic choices, too. Why not create a signature mocktail for your party? Prepare a pitcher ahead of time for easy serving.
Have Fun
Having fun in the most important part of any party, so set yourself up for success. Do as much ahead of time as possible, such as prepping dishes, cleaning, and setting the table. Rely on NYC’s fabulous delivery options rather than running from store to store. And don’t be afraid to ask for help from a friend.
Once party time arrives, stop working and start enjoying yourself. Forget about the little flaws that only you’ll notice and have a great time!
Main Image Source: Flickr/Susanne Nilsson
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