As a Scottish company, we're all fond of a good old knees-up on Hogmanay! It's the final blowout to end the festive period, and a chance to bring in the new year surrounded with friends and family. Making the decision to play host for such an iconic date on the festive calendar, however, is not to be taken lightly! Because, let's face it, throwing a party can be a lot of work. There's plenty to prepare beforehand, and that's without even thinking about the dreaded clean up the next day. Between preparing and playing host, its easy to forget to have fun. You're so busy making sure there's enough ice and taking sausage rolls out the oven that, before you know it, the party is over and you're left wondering where the evening went and why there's so much mess! With that in mind we thought we'd put together a party preparation survival guide to help you throw a party that you and your guests will enjoy... First things first, you're going to need a checklist! This is by no means exhaustive, but these are some of the absolute essentials you don't want to be left without.
- Corkscrew
- Bottle Opener
- Ice
- Toilet Paper (lots of it!)
- Matches/Lighter
- Paper Towels
- Lemons & Limes
- Bin bags
- Tea/Coffee/Milk/Sugar (for the designated drivers)
- Reliable Taxi Number
1. Prioritise the bathroom
The bathroom is the one room you want to take the time to give a good clean before the guests arrive. In an ideal world every room would be spotless, but we don't live in an ideal world! So our main advice is don't sweat it too much! Your family and friends are coming to enjoy your company and celebrate the new year, not judge your house-keeping skills. A quick once over will more than suffice and its only going to get messed up again anyway! The exception to this rule is the bathroom. The bathroom is the one place where guests will be alone with their thoughts, so you want to make a good impression in this room. Make sure you've polished the mirror, have your best towels at the ready, and plenty of toilet paper handy. A scented candle will help finish the room and create a little ambience while keeping the place fresh all night!
2. Clear out the fridge
The first thing most guests will want to do when they arrive is pop any drinks they've brought in the fridge (no one likes a warm beer after all). Take the time before hand to get rid of any unnecessary Christmas leftovers and clear a shelf or two for guests to chill their drinks. This will make their arrival stress-free and will create a homely atmosphere where guests feel comfortable fetching their own drinks. This leaves you more time to get involved in the festivities and enjoy yourself!
3. Protect your fragile and sentimental items
One of the downsides of throwing a party is that drinks spill and things break. Even the most sophisticated affair can result in a broken glass here and there. With this in mind take a couple of minutes before to move anything fragile or with sentimental value out of harms way. This will really help you feel more at ease, safe in the knowledge that if anything untoward does happen your most precious items won't be among the casualties!
4. Select your scent, temperature and volume wisely
Never underestimate the power of the senses. Smell and sound are really powerful influences on atmosphere and mood so pick these wisely. If you're going for a scented candle, maybe don't go for one which is too rich and heavy as these can create a sleep atmosphere. For volume of music make sure you set the tone in line with your expectations of the evening. If it's a relaxed affair with lots of conversation then select a chilled playlist at a modest volume. If it's dancing till dawn then crank the bass and up the tempo! Another handy tip is to open the windows for a few minutes before the guests arrive and turn the heating down. This might sound crazy in December/January, but things are going to get pretty hot very quickly once all your guests arrive so starting things off from a cooler temperature is a good way to stop it getting too warm and sending everyone to sleep before the bells!
5. Have a kids corner
If it's a family affair and you're expecting lots of kids a great way to ensure everyone has a good time is to plan ahead with a kids area to keep them occupied. Their parents will be grateful for the foresight, and the little ones will be quite happy sticking together and having a little party of their own. Whether it's computer games or colouring in, a little haven for them to hang out and play in will always go over well. Just make sure and provide age appropriate and safe entertainment, if you've got babies and toddlers attending be mindful of any choking hazards, for example.
6. Have fun and a very Happy New Year!
Last but certainly not least make sure you enjoy yourself!
From all of us here at Pagazzi, we wish all of our customers a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! If you've got any other handy tips for preparing for a party then please let us know in the comments below.