The holidays are right around the corner , which means your schedule will probably soon be jam-packed with seasonal parties! While attending those get-togethers is always fun, hosting them can be more than a little stressful. So how exactly do you about getting your house ready for all your friends and family? Below, check out six tips on how to make your home more party-friendly:
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Make space. No matter what size your home is, you want to make sure your guests have plenty of room to move around. So move unnecessary bulky items out of the way so that they feel comfortable doing so. And try to set up stations of sorts (like cocktails, appetizers, etc.) in at least two or three different areas or rooms to encourage party members to walk around and mingle. For example, for Thanksgiving, you can serve hors d'oeuvres in a living room and the formal dinner in the dining room.
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Tidy up. Perhaps one of the most stressful parts of throwing a party is getting your house ready beforehand. But not every single room in your house has to be sparkling. After all, guests probably won't even enter some rooms. That being said, pay special attention to your bathrooms to make sure they're stocked with fresh hand towels, extra toilet paper, etc. If you'd rather not open up your private bathroom and are only expecting a small group, you can direct guests towards a specific bathroom you want them to use.
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Decorate! What better way to create a party atmosphere than by making the surroundings as bright and festive as possible? Set the table with Thanksgiving-themed centerpieces or for Christmas, put up holiday garland and displaying some red and green candles. Add to the ambiance by using dim (but not too dark) lighting and playing background music.
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Have plenty of places for your guests to sit. Bring out a few extra chairs or stools, so your guests can pull one up when they want to join a conversation.
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Stock up on ice, beverages, snacks and whatever else you think you might need, so you don't have to worry about having to send anyone out to the store!
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Enjoy! Sometimes things happen at parties–wine gets spilled, an appetizer gets burnt–but that doesn't mean it's a fail. So try to relax, welcome your guests graciously, and have fun!
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