Organizing Summer Shindigs
June 22, 2011, By Eric Brennan 0 comments
The grill is sizzling away, the kids are having a blast in the backyard and your summer party guests are enjoying themselves so much they may never go home. OK, so you might not want that great of a barbecue, but being a better summertime host can make your gatherings more enjoyable for your family and friends.
- M.C. good times. Greeting guests as they arrive and showing them around always breaks the ice. You wouldn't like to be thrown into the mix with strangers as soon as you arrive at a party and neither do your guests. A meet and greet between strangers, with you as a liaison, helps to strip away a bit of the mingling anxiety as guests arrive at your shindig.
- You gotta keep 'em separated. As guests begin to spread around your summer bash, keep them interested and entertained. Certain areas of the party can be dedicated to particular guests. While the big screen is the perfect spot for the sports crowd when the game is on, not all of your guests are going to be comfortable there. Setting up areas for people to congregate can give all your guests a chance to party in their own way. This is especially true for children. Creating a few entertainment areas away from the crowd makes even the little ones think you're the host with the most.
- When do we eat? As any good summertime host knows, your guests are hungry when they arrive. Providing eats around the house makes for a perfect summertime party. Chips and dips, veggie platters and finger sandwiches are always the mainstay for party food, but a creative host can use finger foods to their advantage. Setting up eating stations throughout the party not only keeps guests circulating, but it also makes sure everyone gets a snack.
- More please, sir. If you're cooking from the grill for the big feast, serving the food in shifts helps to break up the chow line and prevents it from looking like a scene from "Oliver." This approach will make sure everyone gets fed while the food's hot and ensures all of your guests get their fair divvy of the grub.
- Make me smile, make it snappy. Now that their glasses are topped and their bellies are full, your guests are going to need some entertainment. This is where your excellent skills as a summertime host come into play. Not everyone is going to be into throwing the football or playing cards. Once again, sectioning certain areas for certain games allows everyone a chance to enjoy their favorite pastimes, or to politely decline embarrassing themselves by singing Gloria Gaynor songs on the karaoke machine.
Being a better summertime host is not about throwing the fancier party; it's about making your guests happy and having fun in the process.
