You need to enable JavaScript to run this website.
Nightlife, People, Good Culture

How to Entertain- And Be Ready for Anything- While Living on Your Own

Holly_Johnston contributor

Whether it’s a dinner party, a game night, or a pirate-themed watch party (hey, I won’t judge) hosting a party for your friends is one of the most fun parts of living on your own.

If you love the idea of hosting a get-together but don’t know where to begin, here are Some ideas, simple steps, and clean-up tips to make your night a fun and memorable one.

1. Choose a party theme & create a guest list

The first step is determining what type of party you want to host: maybe a dinner party, a classy cocktail & appetizer night, or a game night.

Then, grab a piece of paper and write down all the people you want to attend.

If paper invites are too formal, creating a group chat on Facebook or Instagram works just fine! Give it a fun name like ‘Sarah’s Soiree’, and provide your guests with all the information.

Send the invites out at least two weeks in advance to give your friends time to plan ahead.

2. Plan the Party

For a Game Night:

  • Choose the Games

A game night is a great choice for a fun yet casual get-together. To plan a fun game night, choose games that you yourself enjoy, aren’t too complex, and aren’t exceptionally long. Unless you’re serving vodka Red Bulls, Monopoly may not be the best pick.

The right games for the party will depend on how many guests there are. For small get-togethers, let your guests each bring their favorite game.

In my opinion, games that get everyone laughing are the most fun! A few of my favorites are Scattergories, Pictionary, and Cards Against Humanity,

You also can’t go wrong with Uno or a simple deck of cards.

For fun interactive games, you might like drawful, or an app like piccolo (although this is a drinking game)

  • Choose the snacks & drinks

You can’t go wrong with a variety of chips and salsa, and some guac- either store-bought or homemade. For healthier options, try a veggie tray or fruit platter. If you want to get a little classier, opt for cheese & crackers.

For beverages, a few bottles of chilled wine, cases of beer, and some hard seltzers- plus some non-alcoholic options and bottles of water will keep everyone happy. You can either stock your fridge or fill a cooler with ice.

Stock your home with serving utensils and strategically-placed hand sanitizer. There’s nothing worse than seeing someone serve their plate with the same fork they’ve used to eat. Prevent this by investing in some reusable serving spoons that rest with the handle extended toward the guests so nobody has to go digging with their hands in the party’s food for the utensil, which would defeat the purpose entirely. As for the hand sanitizer, most people see it and use it– at this point, it’s pretty much a conditioned response. Guests will appreciate the opportunity to disinfect without needing to run to the bathroom or kitchen to use your sink.

If you’re going to ask guests to contribute food or drinks, make sure you specify that on the invitation to give your guests enough time to prepare. For functions where the food and drink menu is themed, you can create a collection of recipe inspiration links to get everyone’s gears turning. There’s nothing wrong with telling guests what you need or how they can help if they’re offering to bring something! You’ll be thankful that you did a little extra preparation when the guests start rolling in and everyone has a different dish in tow. This is a great way to avoid a scenario where everyone brings beer and brownies, leaving the party dinnerless (unless, of course, you’re having a beer-and-brownies party!).

For a Dinner Party:

  • Plan the Menu

Determine whether you want to serve easy appetizers or show off your culinary skills with a three-course meal.

For starters, chill a few bottles of red or white wine and make a cheese board.

Not sure what to cook? check out these dinner party menu ideas

  • Set the Mood

Tablecloths are a great way to keep it classy while also making cleanup so much easier. Pro tip: get the ones with plastic lining on the underside to keep any spills manageable.

Decor- Scented candles are also a great addition, just remember to place them away from high-traffic areas of the home. If you have friends that live on the rowdier side, you definitely want to avoid any candle-related disasters! For decorations, hang up some string lights or decorate the table with flower vases. Lastly, it’s always fun to place a guestbook near the entry of your home. This is a fun way to allow guests to leave you messages that will help you remember how much fun you had during the party! A guestbook will always make a great keepsake after the fact.

Music- Grab your speaker and find (or create) the best playlists to create the right ambiance. Go the extra mile by creating a collaborative playlist that all of your guests can contribute to before and during the party. This can be easily done with Spotify!

3. Don’t forget to enjoy the party

Yes you’re the host, but you’re a guest too. Make sure to sit back and embrace the great night you’ve created. Instead of constantly asking your friends if they’re having a good time or need anything else, give yourself time to feel the warmth of being surrounded by good friends. Remember that these nights are special, and you deserve to enjoy yourself; it’s the reward for all of your hard work.

4. Clean up

The dread of cleaning a messy house in the morning can take away from the night itself, so to make it less worrisome consider using disposable plates, cups, and utensils. Or, if you do use glassware, fill a plastic tub with warm soapy water (via Housebeautiful) and have your guests put their dirty dishes in there to soak. It’s not a bad idea to have extra Tupperware or zip-lock bags to allow guests to take home leftovers. They’ll appreciate the gesture!

When guests leave, use disinfectant wipes or a wet paper towel to do a quick wipe down before bed, and a quick floor sweep.

Now you’re ready to host a great party that your friends will be talking about. It'll bring you closer together and give you confidence. Plus, your party could even become a weekly or monthly tradition. You’ve got this!