If you go to the trouble of hosting a party, the last thing you want to do is forget something or cause offence by making a small mistake.
One of the ways to ensure all goes according to plan is to make a check list.
You should also read up on "party etiquette".
It may be a term we do not come across often but believe me, it is just as relevant to hosting a party today as it was decades ago.
Party etiquette covers everything from formatting invitations to what presents to bring to a silver wedding anniversary.
No matter what type of party you are planning, whether it is a wild hen party or Halloween get together, there will be common elements, such as sending invitations and serving food.
In this article we will explore what is expected of a host and there is no better place to start than the tried and tested rules of party etiquette.
The one thing that no party can do without is the invitations.
Not only do they let people know the basic details, but they also give you, the host, an opportunity to set the scene.
The more formal the party you are planning, the more formal the invitations should be.
We always advise that people send invitations by post.
It may seem strange in this digital age but it is a nice touch, especially if you use festive stamps and calligraphy writing.
Invitations do not have to be complicated, there primary purpose is to convey details of the party to those who have been invited.
That holds true for all types of parties.
However the style of the invitation should accurately reflect the formality of the occasion.
It is very rare indeed to get a shop bought wedding invitation.
They are usually specially printed.
For most parties the guest list usually takes care of itself but the well tried and tested rules of party etiquette gives guidance for those who are not too sure who to include.
For example on a hen night, it is accepted practice to invite the mother of the bride and future mother in law.
This may mean making adjustments to how the night is arranged but it would be rude not to invite them.
For parties at which a formal sit down meal is been served it adds to the sense of occasion if you follow established etiquette.
This includes seating the guest of honour to the right of the host, serving food in a clockwise direction and clearing the table after each course.
Under no circumstances should the guests be allowed to help clear the table or tidy up.
As the party draws to a natural conclusion most hosts look forward to having a sip of wine, after all if you have entertained correctly you will have put a lot of effort into the party, so the last thing you want is a few lingering guests.
The fact that they enjoyed the party so much that they want to stay should be some comfort but hints such as, can I call you a taxi, or would you like a last drink should get them moving.
Hopefully after reading this article you will see that doing a little research into party etiquette can pay dividends.
You can be sure that any query you may have about what to do in certain situations or how a particular type of party should be organised can be answered simply by making reference to any online or offline party etiquette resource.