Opening an area for dancing prevents damage and encourages guest interaction.
You can throw a successful party with a little planning and preparation. House parties can be a fun way for a group of people to let off some steam in a relaxed private environment. Expensive damages and time-consuming cleanup are just a couple of the results of a house party that gets out of control. Stay on top of the details of a house party from start to finish and make it a good experience for all. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Set the date of the house party carefully to avoid conflicting with other parties or social events. Ask the core people you plan to invite when they are free about a week or two from when you first decide to have the party. Weekend nights allow many house party guests to stay later at a party without having work to worry about the next morning.
2. Create a guest list for the house party. Carefully refine the list to choose quality guests. Inviting more than 15 to 20 people per available room leads to an overcrowded house party.
3. Print and deliver or email invitations to the select group you want to come to the house party. Be specific about the details of the party in the invitation including how many, if any, guests each invitee is allowed to bring. Ask the invited guests to respond to the invitation as soon as possible so you are able to estimate the number of party attendees.
4. Visit the neighbors surrounding the house where the party is going to be held to tell them about the event. Invite the neighbors to attend the gathering if you do not feel their presence would negatively affect the party.
5. Move furniture up against walls and out of the way to consolidate the available space. Put valuables and breakables away in locked rooms or closets. Cover easily stained upholstery with plastic drop clothes or covers.
6. Stock up on finger foods, beverages and serviceware based on the estimated size of the house party. Good basic rules of thumb are to have at least 1.5 lbs. of food per guest and two drinks per guest for the first two hours of the event, followed by one drink per guest for each additional hour. Purchasing 20 percent more of everything will ensure you have enough for unexpected guests or big eaters and drinkers.
7. Provide a music selection that will appeal to the majority of the crowd at the house party. Ask a friend to help by keeping the music playing or hire a DJ to perform at the event. Clear out the room in front of the speakers as much as possible to create a dance area.
8. Put a sign on the outside of the bathroom door that is intended for guest use at the party. Include any important instructions for proper use of the facilities on the sign.
9. Position large trash cans around the house to encourage people to throw items away instead of on the floor. At least one large can outside the restroom and another by the food greatly reduces messes to save cleanup time.
10. Ask a capable friend or hire a private company to provide security and work the door for the event if you expect more than 30 people. Give the security personnel the guest list and ask them to consult with you if there is a question.
11. Interact with guests as they arrive and show them where they can get a drink and some food. Thank them individually for coming and ask them to come directly to you if they have any questions or problems. Let guests know where you would like them to smoke and dispose of smoking materials if they are smokers.
12. Reduce the volume on the music to where it cannot be heard outside the house around midnight unless you receive a noise complaint prior to that. Loud music causes the talking volume to increase and the combination of noises may disturb neighbors if it continues into the morning hours. Change the music selection to more mellow material to shift gears and continue the house party in a more subdued manner.
13. Call cabs or provide rides for any drivers who attempt to leave the house party after having too many alcoholic beverages to operate a vehicle safely. Put safety before pride and expense by making sure the guests at the party get home safely that night.
Tags: house party, guest list, more than, more than people, music selection, than people