Some people seem to be born with an innate party-throwing life skill. They instinctively know what works best and are not afraid to take on the daunting task of planning and hosting a party.
But, for some of us, throwing a party can be stressful. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small gathering of friends or a big birthday milestone; each carries its own set of stressors. But not to worry, we’ve got you covered. Consider this your cheat sheet on what you need to throw that utterly luxurious gathering of your dreams.
Pick the Right Venue
What’s the occasion you want to celebrate? If it’s a family member or friend’s birthday or work celebratory dinner, a simple brunch or dinner celebration at your home would suffice. It would just be a matter of decorating (which we’ll discuss later).
If it’s a more special occasion, like a milestone birthday (e.g., quinceañera, mid-life birthdays), wedding reception, or anniversary party, you might want to rent out an events place or a hotel function room. These birthdays usually aren’t so simple since you would need a host, a program, and if it’s a particularly large gathering, an events coordinator who would help you plan out the event.
Are you getting engaged? You might want to consider a romantic yacht party. Yes, it’s a party. If you and your soon-to-be spouse have a large set of common friends, it’s always a nice touch to include them in this milestone.
Go with an Understated Color Motif
If it’s luxury you’re going for, the color motif for your party should be along the lines of golds, silvers, and champagne. Pastels will also work if one is a particular favorite of yours. You could also go with blacks and purples. Why? These colors are understated and often are associated with wealth and royalty. Using them as a color palette would elevate your gathering.
Plan Your Menu Well
You don’t have to be serving caviar or expensive liquor to achieve that luxurious ambiance. The trick is to pair pricier food with more inexpensive ones. For example, say, you are putting together a cheeseboard. Go for top cheeses like Gruyere, manchego, or brie. But use plain salted crackers for the accent. Add grapes and almonds from your local food market instead of the big grocery chain.
When mixing drinks, apply the same philosophy: go for top-shelf base liquor and mix with more inexpensive ingredients.
Pick the Right Music or Entertainment
Finally, don’t forget your entertainment. If it’s a gathering of ten people or less, picking soft music like jazz or classical would make the atmosphere more intimate and be more conducive to talking. If there are more than ten people, pick more lively tunes. Depending on the age range of your invitees, you can choose pop and rock music from the 60s to the present. Most songs made in the 60s and 70s are still being listened to nowadays, so you can’t go wrong with them.
Throwing a party shouldn’t be a stressful affair. While it’s easy enough to get bogged down with details, the main point you have to remember is that you want to have a good time. Your friends are there to celebrate these milestones in your life. But at the end of it, it’s your party, and it’s what’s important to you that matters.
Brooke has been a connoisseur of back roads and obscure places since she was a girl. Growing up in a small working farm, she knew at a young age that there was so much to see and understand about the world. Since she left home at 17, she’s been gallivanting around the world. She’s a go-to resource for fearless Euro travel and extreme budget adventures. Her colorful experiences moving from one country to another with only time to spare will surely inspire you to leave the rat race and chase your backpacking dreams.