Hosting your first Diwali party: Do’s and Don’ts
Diwali is a few days away, and there is a lot of excitement about hosting family and friends. If you’re the kind of host that gets anxious about having friends and family over because you want to have ‘the perfect party, then we feel for you. It is not easy to pull off a great party without giving everything a great deal of thought. The small details make a great party.
Once you have your food and catering sorted, you can focus on the small and thoughtful details that will take your party to the next level. It doesn’t have to cost a bomb; it can be simple but impactful. Here are some do’s and don’ts when hosting your first party.
Major Do’s
- Make a thorough guest list: Nobody likes to feel like they are an afterthought. If you’re planning on inviting family and friends, make a thorough list of attendees and invite everyone. Never assume that people will show up without an invitation because you mentioned you were having a party in passing. If you’re planning on having party favours, make it a point to know exactly how many you will need. Nobody should have to go back empty-handed.
- Think of things for people to do: There is always a lull in most parties; after people are done socialising and the first round of appetisers are served, there is always a ‘what next’? A good host would think of things for people to do. It could be a simple round of cards or a Tambola. If you have group favourites like Charades, make sure you have your list of movies ready to start the game quickly!
- Do speak to everyone: Not everyone invited to the party is your best bud, but the fact that they are making time for you must account for something; always make sure you’re spending time with everyone. Make sure that you’ve personally gone to everyone and thanked them for coming.
- Have a small section for kids: If you expect a lot of kids at the party, ensure that they are supervised and that you’ve created some specific activities planned for them so they can be kept busy while the adults enjoy your party.
- Make arrangements for overnight guests: If you’re expecting friends and family to visit you, ensure you’ve planned for their stay. Ask them in advance if they plan on staying overnight at your home. Planning for overnight stays will also help you with meal and breakfast prep well in advance.
Major Don’ts
- Don’t pack the party with too much: Nobody likes a ‘too much’ party. Let the guests enjoy a wholesome mix of activities and free time, whether it is entertainment or food. If people feel like they ‘didn’t have time to talk, they will remember that you hosted a party but not much else.
- Don’t shy away from asking for help: Involve your family and friends to help you out. It is very easy to get lost in the organising that you forget that the party is also for you to have fun. By asking for help, you will make them feel a part of the event and not be stressed.
- Don’t spend too much time on the home tour: Everyone is excited about your new home, but don’t spend too much time going into the smallest details. Show your home and show it off, but keep it simple.
- Don’t be too loud: While it is your party, it is also essential to not make this about you. Don’t be the only person in the room talking, don’t ‘I’ the conversation with too many anecdotes and stories about yourself. This has to be about your guests and making them feel welcome.
- Don’t talk about how stressful the party was: The number 1 mistake most people seem to make is to talk about how difficult, and stressful hosting the party was. Everyone understands that. If you talk about how difficult it was, there is a good chance that people will think this is about them. Focus on having a good time.
These are a few handy tips to help you throw your first Diwali party. Make it a point to invite family and friends. Invite your neighbours over so that they can get a glimpse of your life. But also focus on respecting the common areas and ensuring you’re not inconveniencing people.