People gathered together for brunch party ()
Gathering together has long been a way people to celebrate and have a good time. Birthdays and other parties are designed to provide joy. However, they may also be stressful for the host, who must arrange everything and stay organized while still maintaining a warm attitude. This gets challenging when living in Europe when you are new and don't know where things are. Here are things to keep in mind when party planning.
Before the Party
There are several things you should consider before the party begins.
Location
Before inviting people over, be sure that your place is accessible for the party. This means having enough space for guests, lighting, a good environment for your guests and access to restrooms.
Supplies
Ensure you have everything you need to entertain your guests, such as food, drinks, music, decorations, and dishes. One option for dishes are compostable dinnerware sets, which are lightweight and eliminate after-party dishwashing.
If you host outside of your home, keep in mind that Europe often has different rental terms compared to the U.S. Be sure to review the terms carefully. In some countries, like Germany, Sunday quiet hours frown upon loud music in residential areas. Even better, invite your neighbors!
Additional Help
Some people prefer to hire a professional party planner since it might be stressful to keep track of all tasks. To find one ask friends and check online reviews for organizations near you.
Food
Unless you are hosting a dinner party, try not to prepare solely warm food, since it will get cold fast and will be difficult to reheat.. A local caterer is also a tried and true option, which takes the stress away from food preparation. Try adding local food options to the spread; this provides a unique touch to your celebration. Keep in mind dietary restrictions, such as having plant-based and gluten-free foods or non-alcoholic beverages if you are serving alcoholic drinks.
During the Party
The most challenging part of the party is staying aware that everyone has everything they need and that they feel included. Here are some important thoughts to keep in mind during the party.
Drinks
According to the occasion, drinks should be served. For a morning event or brunch, you should always ask the guest if they would like a hot beverage such as coffee or tea .For other events, make sure to have cold options as well. You need enough space in your fridge to keep the drinks fresh for your guests.
Food
Parties can last for hours and guests usually like to have something to eat and drink until the party is over. During the party check if there is enough food and if restock if needed.
Communication
The size or nature of your party affects how well you know your guests. A family birthday party is much different than an event welcoming a new co-worker. However, a party is a great opportunity to create greater connections: Ask your guests about recent travels (you are in Europe after all), or recent work/school projects.
Activities
To make guests feel included, add different games for all ages. For example, include games like musical drills, egg toss, year of invention, find the tune, and so on. If the weather is great and there’s outdoor space, cornhole, darts or casual sports in the backyard might be an option. The possibilities are endless. Indoor activities can center around watching a sporting event, hosting a cooking class or having a trivia night.
After the Party
Your guest may leave a mess for you to clean up. These are some of the devices that will help you out.
Dishwasher
Even with disposable dinnerware, you will probably use some serving utensils, One option is to have a “rinse and put in the dishwasher” policy with your guests before they leave. That is, unless you have a particular way of loading the dishwasher! We get it.
Vacuum Cleaner
Traditional vacuums are a reliable way to clean the house but, a robot vacuum cleaner can make party cleanup easier .
You do not need to have extravagant things to have the perfect party, you just need some planning and organization to have a fun event. It is possible to relax at your own party, too! Focus on including things that make your guests feel comfortable, while adding some small touches from the new culture you are immersed in.
