Life Hacks: How To Be An Amazing Host!
To be a good host doesn¡¯t mean to just have people over. To be honest, that is merely the beginning of it all. How do you take a meh night and make it a soiree to remember? All it takes is being a superb host. If you¡¯ve always been the kind to prefer home chilling scenes over crazy clubbing nights, then you¡¯re sure to love this one. Also, having people over is such a nice, fun and intimate way (not to mention relatively inexpensive) way to bond with your friends/family/colleagues. All you need are a few good tricks up your sleeve and soon you¡¯ll be in the Host Hall Of Fame (no such thing, we just made it up) ¨C cheers!
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1. Invite people properly
No matter how many times you may have hung out with the same group of friends, if they are coming over to your place make sure you call everyone individually. If it¡¯s an extremely informal thing, then you are allowed to text. But we¡¯d still opt for a telephone call because it¡¯s more personal.
2. Get creative
In case it¡¯s a formal or extra special occasion, make a little invite (you can easily do this online as there are plenty of apps now) and send it out via Whatsapp¨C it¡¯s just a cute touch. Says something about you as a host right from the start.
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3. Don¡¯t forget to invite better halves/plus ones.
As the host, it is your job to make your friends¡¯ partners feel included. It is not assumed that they will tag along. Be a classy host and extend the invite yourself.
4. Be prepped beforehand
When the day of the gathering arrives, be ready with everything prior to your guests arriving. Not only does this come under good manners but it also elucidates how organized and on point your skills are. Try and follow this practice even if the gathering is casual.
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5. Welcome people warmly
If you¡¯re not the hugging type, then plaster on your brightest smile at the very least. Give your guests a little home tour even if they didn¡¯t ask. Make a complete full effort from your end. Most people make the cardinal sin of running off into the kitchen ¨C don¡¯t do that. First engage with your guests and then eventually get on with the cooking/serving part.
6. Don¡¯t look dismayed if an uninvited guest arrives
Yes, this happens. It¡¯s very common especially in desi culture to not take RSVPs and things too seriously. So sometimes you¡¯ll find an extra person or two around, but you can¡¯t let that bog you down. Hopefully, you will have arranged for extra food and beverages (every great host must always have extra stuff). It is undoubtedly wrong for someone to spring an extra person on you, but as a host you must keep the tempo going and be as welcoming and warm as before. If your mood goes out the window, your party goes out the drain.
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7. Make an effort to introduce people
If this is a fairly large gathering, and a mixed bunch of people who don¡¯t particularly know each other, then you must make an effort to introduce people to each other. Even if this party or event is not being held at home, but you are the host, and sothen you¡¯ve got to try and get people to mingle. We find that this is a host skill that most hosts ¡¯s truly lacking nowadays and we cannot emphasise its importance enough.
8. Be a cool cat
Even if you are a teetotaler, be okay with your guests consuming alcohol. The minute you start imposing rules on your guests, it feels less like a party and more like a seminar.
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9. Don¡¯t form groups at your own party
Even though you must naturally gravitate towards some people, don¡¯t practice group politics as a host. Be impartial and give everyone the same kind of time and attention.
10. Don¡¯t announce awkward things
Talking about how much you spent on a flower arrangement or the dessert is extremely tacky and completely avoidable. You don¡¯t want to be making your guests feel like you¡¯re trying to prove that you spent money. Whatever you¡¯ve arranged is for everyone to see. They may not say it, but they¡¯ve registered it so don¡¯t worry.
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11. Be present
In these times of social media mania, it¡¯s very tempting to Instagram/Snapchat every last detail while it happens but that makes for a very poor hosting. Leave your phone aside. Engage with your guests. Talk to them. Make the night memorable irrespective of social media. Besides what are latergrams and throwbacks for, right?
12. Think about your guest list
First and foremost, be realistic about your invitees. If you know that your school gang and college gang don¡¯t mix then you don¡¯t need to invite them together. These situations are all too common and can be extremely painful for everyone attending. The good thing is once you figure these dynamics out, you can easily avoid an awkward vibe by inviting certain groups separately.
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13. Know your audience
If you love playing board games, and other games like charades, then by all means go ahead and make them part of the plan, but in case your crowd is not too excited about the idea, then be okay to cancel it too. You can¡¯t force people to enjoy in the manner that you expect them too. Again, such things do happen when it¡¯s a large, mixed group. The only answer is to go with the flow.
14. Don¡¯t be a food tyrant
You can by all means adhere to your desi genes and ask people multiple times if they would like another helping of food or like another drink but avoid being too pushy. Even if someone¡¯s eating less or not at all, offer them once or twice but let it go after a point. There¡¯s a fine (almost invisible) line between being a good host and being pushy/obsessive. You want to balance this aspect out well.
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15. Have fun yourself
It¡¯s a common mistake we make as hosts.,W wherein we get too caught up in the food and the organisation and it all comes down like a barrage of stress. Truth is that if the host is having fun and not taking themselves and all the arrangements too seriously, then the guests will simply follow. It is the host¡¯s job to create a comfortable and fun environment for the guests and as long as you can do that, you can be an amazing host. It¡¯s all in the vibe, you see.
