How to Throw a Party Like a Pro

If you are not a natural hostess and have no idea how to throw a party–don't worry! Party planning does not come natural to everybody. Some are very comfortable preparing menus and digging out the linens while others break into a sweat when thinking about entertaining even a small crowd.

After you read 10 Simple Steps to Preparing for You Party, apply these 4 basic party planning steps that pro's know, below.

4 Basic Party Elements To Consider

When professionals plan parties, they think about every last detail. The good news for you is that just planning a few of these details will have guests thinking you're the expert.

1. Rethink your lighting

When you go to a nice restaurant or upscale event, you rarely have bright bulbs beaming down on you. The truth is a setting with dim lighting helps set a relaxing mood for your guests and also makes everyone look great (bonus!).

So how to do you duplicate that glowing feel? Simply turn off your overhead beams and opt for small lamps throughout your party space.

Tip: If you do not have any lamps, purchase a few soft-lit bulbs and replace your existing lights for the evening.

2. Style your food

Even if you are not preparing fancy appetizers for your guests, taking the time to plate the food will make all the difference. So whether your menu features pizza or burgers, break out your nice set of dishes and serve your meal as if you were presenting your guests with caviar!

You can even set up a nice buffet table which will look great while allowing guests to serve themselves.

For snacks like trail mix and chips, use matching white bowls and place them in areas of your party space where people will be sitting, rather than spreading them out on one table.

3. Spruce up your beverages

Serve your drinks like you would get them at a restaurant which means garnish them. Add a slice of lemon, a cherry, or a fun straw. Make your batches of lemonade, tea and other refreshers ahead of time and store them in the fridge in a glass pitcher until ready for use.

This will make your serving duties much easier and also allow you to hide the containers which will keep your party space clean and streamlined.

4. Decorate your space

If fancy floral centerpieces are not your style, you can still decorate your tables and counter space to give it some flair. For example, gather a few glass vases and fill them with items like oranges, apples, lemons or limes. This inexpensive alternative only takes minutes to set up and will help spruce up your party space!

Another option is to use framed photos of party guests as centerpieces. Group a few of your favorite framed shots and place them atop a cake stand to give them height. Adding decorations can be simple, you just need to look to see what you already have on hand for inspiration. For a more festive look, consider making tissue paper pom poms to hang.

See, hosting a party does not have to be expensive or stressful. Now that you know how to throw a party, it's time to get planning!