Party Planning Tips & Tricks
Helpful Hints for House Preparation for Guests and Clean Up
Your home is already filled with decorations that represent your personal style. Decorating, therefore, is really limited to small touches that will add elegance and warmth. However, your house should be very clean and tidy, which depending on how much of a collector you are, may take more time than you think to clean up. Below are guidelines for getting your home ready for your guests.
- Do a thorough cleaning of your home a week prior to your party. Scrub down all rooms that will be inhabited by your guests. Note, if some guests have not been to your home they will likely be asking for a tour. You will need to clean up all the rooms. Dust, vacuum, swipe cob webs, clean windows that are easily seen, wipe down all shelves and knickknacks. Clean the oven, stove, and refrigerator (throw out those science projects). Mop all the floors, clean mirrors etc. Throw out or store out of sight old newspapers, magazines and junk mail.
- The day before, do a walk-through of your home and touch up rooms that need sprucing. The bathroom usually requires a quick wipe down, and the vacuum may need to be run over the carpets. Wipe down the kitchen after you have finished the majority of your food preparation, otherwise you just have to clean up again!
- Make sure you have laundered fresh towels for the bathroom and kitchen. It is nice to have finger tip towels on the counter in the bathroom for guests to use. A basket of washcloths is also a nice touch. Put out extra rolls of toilet paper in a basket near the toilet, that way guests can help themselves if necessary. Scented soaps are also appreciated, as are lotion and tissue.
- Many times the plan of a party and friends coming over sparks the idea for a home project, like painting the kitchen or building a deck! Trust us, we know. The good part is that you get things done you have been wanting to do, but hadn't found the time. The problem is that the projects are usually more time consuming than one thinks and the project ends up usurping time that should be spent on party preparation. Think carefully over what added projects the party may inspire. If you have a significant other who is gung ho, just make sure they understand the time limitations and that you will be busy with the party preparations.
- Clean up is an important aspect of a party. For one, you do not have your guests wash dishes. They came to your home to visit and be away from household chores. If they politely offer, politely refuse. Stack dishes neatly in your kitchen, we always try to rinse the dishes and stack them that way they are easier to clean later. You will need to put perishable food away. Make sure you have plastic wrap, foil and storage containers for leftovers.
- Throw out dairy products and seafood that has been sitting out many hours. Do not pour cream or milk back into the original container, as you will spoil the unused portion. If you just put out a new pitcher of cream and feel it is still cold, cover the pitcher tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
Helpful Hints for Party Planning & Setup
- Have trash receptacles available and easily accessible, guests will use them if they can find them.
- Wear an apron over your clothing while baking and have a beautiful fresh one just for the day of the party for setting out food this will protect your party clothes.
- If you feel like you need help, you can hire servers to assist you with set up, serving and clean up. Hourly rate for professionals are $15 - $20 per hour plus tip. For a lower rate, obtain the assistance from responsible teenagers looking for extra income.
- Create drink area as self serve, this way you only have to worry about making another large pot of coffee and not pouring individual cups.
- If you can afford it, have your house cleaned. This will save you lots of time and lots of energy. If not, clean it well the weekend before, with touch up the evening before or morning of the party.
- Have a secure place designated for coats and purses.
- Anything with a cream/milk ingredient needs to be monitored for coolness. If you have an item that will be out for many hours, like the cream for the coffee, the pitcher should be placed in a bowl of ice.
- You do, however, need to watch for empty plates and used napkins and remove them as you roam the party, to keep the location of your party in fairly nice shape. Once the buffet is pretty well emptied and your guests are mulling around in another room enjoying their beverage and conversation, you can quickly wrap up and put away the remaining food, but don’t start doing dishes. Turn out the light of your kitchen and buffet area, and go enjoy your guests.
- Specify if children are invited. Evening, formal parties are not really appropriate. Children get bored.
- Find out if any of your guests have special dietary needs. If so, be sure to have appropriate beverage and food items.
- If you are having children, review the menu you have selected. You may need to add a few kid-friendly dishes from your local store. Be sure to add these items to your grocery list.
- If you live in an area with limited parking, you may need to hire a valet service. You will need to check with City Hall for any required permits.
- If you have rented linens, serving pieces, tables or chairs, be sure to call and order early, especially around a holiday, otherwise color choices and selection may be limited.
- If your party is outdoors, and your sprinkler system is automatic, be sure to turn them off the day prior to your party to avoid muddy areas or worse, your sprinkler system activating in the middle of your party.
- If you have young guests, be sure to have games or other activities planned to entertain them.
- Also make sure your house is “child proof” this will save both you and the parents heartache.
- The parties were designed for 20 guests. If you have less, alter your menu accordingly. If you have more, use a favorite recipe or ask a friend to bring an item. Just remember to make adjustments to the grocery lists and timelines.