the tips, the ideas and the obsession.

There is nothing more enjoyable than inviting a group of friends to enjoy an evening filled with martinis and delicious cuisine, while Michael Buble plays in the background. Hosting has become the new obsession for recently emancipated young adults and people alike. A hostess is essential for every event and has one goal in mind: to create a socially enjoyable environment.

But the art of hosting is more than delegating what goes where; it’s to make sure your guests have a good time they’ll remember. Here are a few tips and ideas to help you become a top hostess.

Tips

1. Plan according to your space.

If you know your cozy place can hold only six or seven people comfortably at a time, only invite that amount. Making your guests feel comfortable is one of the top priorities for the hostess. Arrange the party area so that you and your guests can move around smoothly.

2. Set the Mood.

Music, candles, and aroma; these three items are essential. They can change the ambiance and mood of an atmosphere instantly. Jazz, Indie and contemporary music are perfect mood setters to a party.

3. Be prepared for anything… absolutely anything.

While your intentions are to have a perfect evening, unexpected things can happen at anytime, from an extra friend-of-a friend showing up, to overnight party guests. Make sure you are prepared, whether it means having extra dinnerware ready or setting up a room for crashers. By mentally preparing yourself for the unknown, you become a responsible and mature party host.

Ideas

1. Pick a Theme

A part of being a hostess is being creative in planning your event. A great hostess will have a specific theme for the event to get guests involved. You can choose to have a specific theme such as the decade’s, or a more contemporary setting. Based on your theme you can decorate your home accordingly and even tailor your food menu to your theme.

2. Involve your guests

You know that person who is
always asking: can I help you with anything? Let them! Being the hostess doesn’t mean you have to do all the work yourself. If you know your friend makes a delicious cosmopolitan and is willing to help, let them assist you with bartending. People love to help, especially when they’re having fun doing it.

3. Games and Party Favors

Think back to the birthday parties you attended as a child. In most cases, the party was filled with fun games and treats. This is basically the same idea as hosting. As a hostess, your event needs to offer guests some type of entertainment. It can be a game of charades, Pictionary or a game related to your theme. As well, offer your guests a type of memento, like a Polaroid snapshots or a goodie bag to take home.