| Hosting a great party is challenging, but a skill that can | | | | 5. Plan your menu according to the event. Do you plan |
| be mastered nonetheless. As the host, it is your duty | | | | to cater for the event yourself, or will you be hiring the |
| to ensure that your guests feel comfortable and have | | | | pros? Remember that some of your guests may |
| a great time | | | | have specific dietary requirements. |
| Being a great party host is, however, not without its | | | | 6. Now comes the fun part. What do you have in mind |
| pitfalls. It can be nerve-racking, stressful and more | | | | entertainment-wise? There is such a large array of |
| often than not, you, as host, will very often not get too | | | | entertainers out there these days that it should not be |
| much time to enjoy yourself. Take heart, it does not | | | | difficult to find one that meets both your occasion and |
| have to be this way. To ensure maximum success, | | | | your pocket. Allow enough time for the entertainer to |
| follow these 10 tips to become the greatest host | | | | set up, if necessary, before the guests arrive. No party |
| hostess in your neighborhood! | | | | is complete without music. Set up your sound system, |
| 1. The first thing to do is decide on a budget for the | | | | give your CD's a good clean and make sure that all |
| event. This will assist you further down the line in way | | | | the speakers are working. |
| of entertainment, food, decorations, etc. | | | | 7. Using a critical eye, take a walk through the venue, |
| 2. Decide on a theme. This does not have to be | | | | the evening before your party. Spruce up where |
| anything elaborate but will go a long way in helping you | | | | necessary; pack away all valuable and breakable |
| to plan around it. Examples: Graduation party, | | | | items. Flowers give an instant face lift to an area, so |
| engagement party, christening, bar-mitzvah. | | | | the rule of thumb here would be there can never be |
| 3. Decide how many guests you can accommodate, | | | | too many! |
| and then draw up a guest list. It is always a good idea | | | | 8. The big day has finally arrived! Take a long bath, try |
| to invite people who will liven things up a bit. This is not | | | | to relax and get yourself dressed and ready at least |
| the time for old family feuds to be settled or internal | | | | an hour before. |
| politics to come to the fore. Your guest list will make or | | | | 9. Greet each of your guests personally. A welcome |
| break your party so it is imperative that you choose | | | | drink is always a pleasant touch and helps everyone |
| your guests with care. | | | | to relax and gives them something to do. If there is a |
| 4. Design invitations and ensure that you send them | | | | formal seating arrangement, escort them to their |
| out at least 2 weeks before the big event. This will | | | | respective places. |
| give all your invitees enough time to plan their schedule | | | | 10. Stick to the program. Above all else, relax, smile and |
| around the big event as well as enough time to RSVP. | | | | have fun! |