SmartHomeOwners

Whether planning a small gathering or a big bash at your home, you're probably stressing over how to entertain your guests when they arrive.  What can you do to prevent boredom?  What food and drinks will you serve?  Here are some tips to make entertaining guests in your home a little easier.

Plan the Type of Party

A good place to start is to plan the type of party it will be.  Choose a theme and colors for starters.  Once you have a general party theme in mind, it will be easier to decorate and plan the remaining details.  A party theme also helps you narrow food and drink choices so you're not overwhelmed with too many ideas.  For instance, you can create an Italian theme and decorate as such while serving Italian-style dishes and drink.

You can plan a sports theme and stick with simple finger foods such as crackers with cheese ball, chips and dips, barbecued smokies, veggie platters, brownies or snack cakes, etc.  Pizza and subs are always winners at parties.  For huge family style meals, ask each guest to bring a dish or dessert.  This will definitely take the pressure off and save a lot of money!  For beverages, be sure to provide a variety of drinks along with some diet and caffeine-free choices.  Punch can go a long way too!

Exciting Games for Guests

Entertain guests with ice breaker games.  These are fun for everyone and will help your party go more smoothly.  If many of your guests are strangers to one another, consider games that will help them to socialize and learn names.  Some popular ice breakers are Mafia, Human Bingo, Lucky Penny, Psychologist, Straw and Paperclip, Quick Change Artist, Finish the Sentence, Sunshine Cards and Four Facts.  If your guests are already familiar with one another, consider trivia style games or mystery games.  Search for ice breaker games online to print out a copy of the game rules for every guest.

Board games and card games can also create a cheery, relaxed atmosphere for guests.  Some popular board games for small group parties include Pictionary, Trivial Pursuit, Scene It, Cranium, Battle of the Sexes and Balderdash.

Guest List and Party Setup

Be sure to plan your guest list carefully.  Inviting too many people can limit your space and make guests miserable.  Be sure there's enough comfortable seating room for every guest...especially while eating.  Consider how much room will be available for playing games as well.  You'll want each guest to have room to play, breathe and relax.  If your home has limited space and you're having a difficult time deciding who to invite, consider having two separate gatherings about a month apart.  This enables you to invite everyone you want without hurting anyone's feelings.  Another idea is to have the party outdoors if you have a big back yard.

When planning the setup for your party, make a list and budget for all items you'll need.  Include party decorations, food/drink, dishes, silverware, napkins, tablecloth, cups, etc.  Set up your rooms so the seating arrangements are comfortable for everyone while still allowing them to engage in conversation.

With a little thoughtfulness, you can make your guests feel right at home!