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Ten Tips for a Successful Holiday Party
By Sarah McGurk
Hosting a party can be stressful and challenging for anyone. Barbara Lubar,
director of Events Management, successfully plans more than 20 university events
per year, ranging from 30,000 people at convocation and commencement to dinners
for 20 at Mathy House. Through her experience, she has found ways to alleviate
some of the stress and make an event pleasantly memorable:
- Don’t stress out. Above all else, keep your perspective. “The
purpose of any party is for you and your friends to enjoy themselves,” says
Lubar.
- Make a budget. This step should come first when planning any event.
Budget affects all other aspects of the party including the number of guests,
the amount of food, and the location.
- Make a time line of tasks. A time line and checklist are essential
tools to help you keep your focus and avoid panic a day, or an hour, before the
party.
- Plan a guest list. A guest list will help you determine the amount
of space and food needed. If out-of-town family will be attending, invite and
introduce them to people with whom you think they will be compatible and share
common interests. Children can add spark to a party but be sure to have a separate
room where they can escape from adult chatter.
- Think about food. Will you cook or hire a caterer? How can you lay
out the food in the space available? Making the food accessible for an even flow
of people is more important than having a pretty display.
- Think about your space. Use space to your advantage and determine what
setup will allow the best flow of and interaction among people. Decorations and
a theme are nice additions to an event, but guest enjoyment is more important.
- Don’t become obsessed with tiny details. “If you drive yourself
crazy with details, you won’t be able to enjoy yourself,” says Lubar.
“You are allowed to enjoy your own
party.”
- Don’t expect perfection. Don’t count on things to go exactly
as planned—they won’t.
- Be hospitable. The host’s most important task is to greet each
guest as he or she arrives, making everyone feel welcome and comfortable.
- And again don’t stress out. Once the party has begun and you
have greeted your guests, sit back and enjoy the festivities!
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