Have one hour to plan a party? No problem says Jonathan Fong, author of Parties That Wow: Setting the Stage for Creative Entertaining. In fact, last-minute events are often the most fun, he says, because there is less pressure and planning.
“If you have a month or a week to plan, you start thinking in wedding proportions,” Fong jokes. “Parties do not need to be these difficult and painstaking ordeals.”
With a few simple tips, your next impromptu gathering will not only look effortless, it will feel that way too.
Getting the party started
Your house doesn’t have to be perfectly clean for your guests to have a great time, but it should be inviting, Fong says. If you have an hour to spare, he recommends spending the majority on setting the mood for your gathering.
“Nothing says ‘you’re not really welcome’ like a living room that’s cluttered with this morning’s breakfast,” he says, so grab a laundry basket and toss in the mess from spots where you’ll be entertaining. Make sure the bathroom is tidy.
Next, grab the take-out menus and take a look in your cabinets for last-minute nibbles and hors d’oeuvres; nearly everyone has crackers, cheese, fruit, and nuts on hand. Set them out and move on to the next task.
All about the details
Fong has his pantry stocked with party basics like votives, plate chargers, and table runners that can be pulled out and used in endless combinations at the last minute. Look for those items around your house, and then try these tips for gatherings that always look fresh and up-to-date:
Ordering take-out doesn’t mean your guests should have to eat out of Chinese food cartons. Dress it up with fun platters and bowls.
No time to pick up flowers? Look in your garden. Selections from your yard look just as lovely in any season, from budding tulips to winter branches.
Develop a signature touch. Fong likes small easels that act as name cards.
Borrow inspiration. If you do a lot of off-the-cuff entertaining, keep a file of party ideas from magazines and books on hand.
You add the fun
Now that the house is ready and food is on the table, it’s time to add the element that can make or break your party: you. Once the first guest arrives, immediately make the transition from planner to host, even if that means you make the decision on what to order as a group.
The secret to effortless party planning is that people don’t come over to see your house or just to get a meal, Fong says. They’re there for the company, so make sure to join in the fun, no matter what the schedule.
“If you’re in the kitchen acting frantic, people aren’t going to feel relaxed,” Fong says. “A lot of time savings comes from giving yourself permission not to be perfect.”
Plan a Party in One Hour
Have one hour to plan a party? No problem says Jonathan Fong, author of Parties That Wow: Setting the Stage for Creative Entertaining. In fact, last-minute events are often the most fun, he says, because there is less pressure and planning.
“If you have a month or a week to plan, you start thinking in wedding proportions,” Fong jokes. “Parties do not need to be these difficult and painstaking ordeals.”
With a few simple tips, your next impromptu gathering will not only look effortless, it will feel that way too.
Getting the party started
Your house doesn’t have to be perfectly clean for your guests to have a great time, but it should be inviting, Fong says. If you have an hour to spare, he recommends spending the majority on setting the mood for your gathering.
“Nothing says ‘you’re not really welcome’ like a living room that’s cluttered with this morning’s breakfast,” he says, so grab a laundry basket and toss in the mess from spots where you’ll be entertaining. Make sure the bathroom is tidy.
Next, grab the take-out menus and take a look in your cabinets for last-minute nibbles and hors d’oeuvres; nearly everyone has crackers, cheese, fruit, and nuts on hand. Set them out and move on to the next task.
All about the details
Fong has his pantry stocked with party basics like votives, plate chargers, and table runners that can be pulled out and used in endless combinations at the last minute. Look for those items around your house, and then try these tips for gatherings that always look fresh and up-to-date:
You add the fun
Now that the house is ready and food is on the table, it’s time to add the element that can make or break your party: you. Once the first guest arrives, immediately make the transition from planner to host, even if that means you make the decision on what to order as a group.
The secret to effortless party planning is that people don’t come over to see your house or just to get a meal, Fong says. They’re there for the company, so make sure to join in the fun, no matter what the schedule.
“If you’re in the kitchen acting frantic, people aren’t going to feel relaxed,” Fong says. “A lot of time savings comes from giving yourself permission not to be perfect.”