Hosting a Great Party

A party is a wonderful way to keep in touch with your old friends and make some new ones. Don't ever worry that your home is not smart enough or that you cannot afford a big spread. Successful entertaining is really all about people. This is some tips for hosting a party :

1. Be bold with your guest list and invite people from different backgrounds. When guests have to work a bit harder, rather than just talk shop, they learn so much more about each other. Invite more guest than you can handle - people always drop out.
2. Send out invitation two to three weeks in advance and make sure you include RSVP details. Always give your postal and e-mail addresses along with my telephone numbers. If the venue is hard to find, include a map and, if appropiate, a note about parking.
3. Whatever the size of the party, put the start and finish time on the invitation. That way everyone knows when you are going stop serving food and drink.
4. Make sure you answer the door and always greet your guest personally. Separate partners, introducing them individually to other groups with a helpful prompt: "Jack, meet Julie. Her children go to the same school as yours."
5. Once the party is in full swing, you can expect to be on the go continuesly. If there are two of your hosting, one can make sure the glass are filled.
6. Encourage guests to circulate, but if you take someone away from one group, replace them with another guest so they don't feel abandoned. Then move on yourself.
7. To make the most of your friends, work out a seating plan for your lunch or dinner party - through be prepared to change it. If you've got more than eight guests at your table , it's a good idea to swap them around after the main course.
8. If anyone brings a gift, try to unwrap it there and then, unless this is likely to cause offense.
9. A relaxed host is an absolute must. Don't start panicking if things go wrong, and don't get stuck in one place.
10. It's a friendly gesture, when confirming your invitation, to check whether there is something a guest can't eat. And do try to accomodate guests who are on diet -  don't press them into having seconds and make sure there is fresh fruit on the table.