After years of trying to put my best foot forward, it always comes back to the fact that doing my best is the best that I can do. If I remember that fact, I can make the most of any situation and have a level of peace and many times gratitude in all of it. I have had a lot of success in situations when I did not scrutinize myself and others. This is the kind of attitude that I try to exercise when I host or organize an event. The truth is that we all have insecurities, even the seemingly fearless and confident people feel unsure and even inadequate at times. I know because I have heard these admissions for years and it has given me great comfort to remember that we are all just making our way through our lives with as much grace and consideration as possible. When I am the person responsible for the enjoyment of others at a gathering of any type, I remember that someone put their faith in me to help initiate a positive experience, whether it be a client or guest. With that in mind, I want to share some of my experience with the structuring of an successful event in addition to a positive attitude. I do my best to establish an environment that is safe and friendly, you could say neutral. At typical affairs, I do not favor any certain type of music or cater to a particular gender. My objective is to make everyone feel equally secure and welcome, it’s nice because I am in control and I can make that decision. I decide the party’s motif based on the guest list and build a foundation while keeping in mind the points mentioned earlier. First, I decide what time to have the party to ensure the largest turnout, where to hold the party so that guests will have room to move around and see who else is present without squeezing through a swarm of other guests, what kind of invitations to send, and then it’s off to the races. I walk around the patio, hall, or basement and examine the point of view from each area to get an idea of what painting or statue or vase might look good where. I have taken pictures of floral arrangements and put them against the wall in different corners of the room to have a better idea of the effect they will create.
I consider food along the lines of gender; women tend to enjoy salads, veggie dips and finger sandwiches while men largely enjoy chicken wings, sushi and beef dishes. As for the music, I consider the age group and choose the most popular songs from each genre and try to find one or two obscure tunes for the dedicated music lovers. I check out the most recent and most loved songs by going online and doing a general search for rock music, hip hop, dance music, and top 40 songs, and play some jazz tunes because they seem to relax people.
I have had a lot of luck with color combinations such as red and white, navy blue and beige, and maroon and silver. Organized buffets with common foods set side by side along the table make it easier for guests to assess the food choices and choose what they like much quicker and avoids congestion at the table. Breads first, then meats, then vegetables and so on. In the end it is the attitude that makes the situation come off well. The rest is up to the people. It is fulfilling to challenge myself to a successful affair and give folks a few hours of enjoyment to think back on, no matter what the coming days may bring. Have a ball! Written by Delightful Biteful