How to Entertain Like A Professional Host

I’ve heard all the excuses: “I don’t have time to have fun,” “I’m not good in social situations” and the ever popular, “I’m just not the outgoing type.” Having fun is as crucial to your health as working out. Yep, you read that right. Every giggle is worth a lap around the track. So start the ball rolling and be the one in your group to instigate the party plans. Make it your mission to connect with people you can laugh with. Follow these tips for stellar entertaining and no one will know you were formerly known as "the shy one" in your group.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Food and beverage
• Accents in the party's color scheme
• Lemons and limes
• Self-service bar accessories (glasses, bottle openers, swizzle sticks, ice, towels, drink menu)
• Name tag stickers and pens
• Drink garnishes (lemon wheels, lime slices, fresh mint, cranberries, pineapple chunks)
• Signature cocktail
• Music
• Candles, scented and unscented
• Wood bowl

1. Keep it simple. Everyone loves a party, and confident hosts love throwing them. Being poised is about having a hosting style and not about being extravagant. A simple party starts with what the host knows best. Famous for your bartending? Cocktails it is! Are you a gourmet cook? Dinner’s at 8!
2. Go with the season’s coolest color. Remember when you were a kid and you made choices based on your favorite color? Your room, clothing and toys reflected the color du jour. Whatever color you pick, try mixing it with white and silver to create a grown-up palate.
3. Surf the Web. Look for simple ideas you can expand upon with what’s in your pantry. Embrace the ideas you love and mix in a few of your own to create a party that fits your simple style. Look for inspiration at Plum Party (see link, below).
4. Be prepared! Isn’t it ironic that the impromptu parties are often more fun than the ones you sweated over for weeks? It’s all about attitude. Keep your spur-of-the-moment party fresh by stocking the party pantry with the basics like ingredients for a signature cocktail, some sassy décor and your favorite music.
5. Take it outside. Forget being Architectural Digest perfect. Alfresco parties are less stressful because you don’t feel obligated to restyle your interior, they’re less formal and require minimal cleanup. Check the path guests will take to get to the party, then concentrate on your new rose bush. Too cold to be outside? Style the inside space as an outside area with patio furniture and potted plants. The gathering will still have the casual feel of an outdoor party.
6. Select a signature cocktail. Pick one that’ll spark interaction. The Fuzzy Navel’s comeback is a perfect example. Make it by the pitcher and let guests serve themselves.
7. Get inspired. When in doubt about décor, turn to Mother Nature. A large wooden bowl filled with lemons and limes is a decorator’s eye candy. Need to trim your trees? Great! Arrange generous amounts of the trimmings in vases or urns. Got extra mint? Spread it around in a variety of vases. Don’t forget to put a bouquet in the bathroom. Find great accents at West Elm (see link, below).
8. Accessorize. Let your guests dress up their cocktails. Before the party, prepare an area to customize cocktails with mint sprigs, lemon wheels, lime slices, pineapple chunks and cranberries. Include stickers for guests to write their name (or alter ego) on.
9. Create atmosphere. The best parties have a certain vibe that you can't define but know when you see. It usually involves tons of scented candles (the little black dress of entertaining) interspersed to set the mood, great music (think of the stuff you’d hear in a paradise hotel) and something unexpected, like a guest list that includes the eccentric next-door neighbor.
10. Be a take-out artist. Make the food you love to cook and order the rest. Famous for your three bean salad and fried chicken? Serve them along with a few iconic crowd pleasers. Like French fries? When presented in newspaper cones with dill mayonnaise, they go from fast food to party food!

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t worry about head counts, heavy entrees or extravagant floral arrangements. Impromptu parties are about the people, so invite a fun crowd and let the playful comments and jokes fall where they may.
• With so little responsibility, you may find yourself drinking an extra cocktail or two. The party is at your place so put a flower in your hair and relax!