4 hints for being a top-notch party host

Throwing a party is a great way to bring friends and family together to enjoy good food, good company and good cheer. Here are 4 helpful hints for how to be a top-notch host while throwing a party to remember.

Parties require a lot of work – from cooking to cleaning to keeping guests entertained. It's key to take time before the party and plan out what needs to be done. Make a guest or invite list, a grocery shopping list and a list of things that need to be done around the house the week before anyone comes over. By doing so, you can spend the days leading up to the party finishing small tasks in preparation for the big day. This means your house and food will be prepared when people come over and you won't have to rush to finish.

Because hosting a party is a big job, enlist some help to pull everything together – whether it's someone to stay in the kitchen and handle the food or someone to help you decorate your house while you prepare dinner. Even if it's just a friend or partner, getting someone to help can ensure you don't have too much on your plate when your guests arrive.

You don't have to set people up romantically, but once people arrive at your place, you can help the flow of the party by introducing people with similar interests. Meeting new people at a party can be socially awkward. To make sure everyone has a good time, facilitate conversation, connections and friendship to make the mood fun and festive, without relying on the guests to do all the work.

Hosting a party can be a stressful experience. After all, it can be a lot of pressure to welcome people into your home or cook a meal for lots of guests. However, a host sets the tone for the party and if you're stressed out, your guests will also feel uncomfortable. While you might want everything to be perfect at the party, always keep in mind that everyone is there to have fun and celebrate together. By remaining mindful of the goal of the actual party, you can make sure you don't sweat the small stuff if little mishaps occur along the way.

It takes work to pull off a great party, but with these hints you'll be in a better position to host a night to remember.