Private Party Social Events: How to Plan the Simplest But Most Satisfying Social Even

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Social events are a way to bring your most favorite people together to share good food, good wine, and good conversations. You may have attended plenty of these kinds of parties before, but maybe you have never hosted such an event yourself. If you’re thinking about hosting your own private party social event, keep reading to learn how to plan the simplest but most satisfying social event.

The Basic Formula

You’ll want to start by inviting people who have something in common and will have things to talk about. The age of your guests is a critical factor, as teens won’t have much in common with retirees. Next, choose a location that will accommodate your guests (both physically and logistically). Social gatherings can be held at someone’s home, or at a venue such as a winery or art gallery where you can enjoy good food and wine — and each other.

Get Creative With Food

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Social events are a way to bring your most favorite people together.

When you’re planning your event, you should think about food as more than just a side dish. The right snacks can be a big part of your social gathering, and they don’t have to break your budget or take too much time in preparation. To keep things simple and delicious, use fresh ingredients with an international twist — think strawberries and feta cheese, mango salsa with tortilla chips, or pear slices on crackers with an almond butter spread. Hiring a professional catering company will have all the right dishes for whatever theme you are going for!

DIY Favors

Whether you’re trying to impress a client or celebrating with friends, your private party is no time for lazy party favors. DIY party favors can be simple and inexpensive while still feeling special.  What’s more, there are plenty of ideas out there that will help anyone on any budget host a successful social gathering. Each guest should take home something unique from your event as their parting gift. The perfect token could be an artisanal jar of jam from your garden or a personalized handkerchief.

What to Drink

When throwing a party, wine is always appropriate. However, depending on your guests’ preferences and your budget, beer and liquor are nice options as well. If you don’t want your alcohol-free friends to feel left out, have a selection of non-alcoholic beverages available for everyone.

Event Planners: How to Make Your Networking Events Stress Free

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These days, networking events can feel like more work than fun. If your guests are wandering from table to table and not connecting with anyone, it’s probably because your event isn’t structured properly or because you’re simply failing to facilitate the flow of conversation between them effectively enough. Here are some tips on how to make your networking events stress free through proper planning and hosting.

Hire an Event Planner

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Plan ahead and create a memorable ambiance at your event.

This should go without saying, but you don’t want to host a networking event without hiring an event planner. Professionals will make sure your event runs smoothly and that all of your guests have a great time. Hiring an event planner also frees up your time so you can mingle with new connections — and possibly find referrals or job candidates in attendance. It is also important to hire planners who are experienced with this type of specific event; most planners specialize in one type of party (e.g., weddings, galas, conferences). A wedding planner may not be the best choice for your cocktail hour-style networking event! 

Make it Small, Intimate and Personal

From a business perspective, larger networking events can be challenging because there are simply more people trying to network with you. It’s much easier for someone to connect with you when they know that you have limited availability. In small groups, it’s easier for everyone involved to get up and walk around; at big parties, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of attendees.

Create Memorable Ambiance

Creating a memorable ambiance at your networking event is as easy as planning ahead. When designing any party, whether it’s a cocktail hour or a formal soiree, you want to make sure that there are plenty of opportunities for guests to mingle. One of the easiest ways to do that is by adding lots of colorful lighting and having a variety of seating options available, including comfortable chairs and couches that fit in with your theme.