Becoming a Savvy Party Hostess With the “Mostest” – CL Stress-Free Edition!

If there’s one thing I love about summer get-together’s, it’s being in charge!  I love putting together parties and playing hostess, and I have since I was taking orders and handing out lemonades at age 10!  But that’s just me…a lot of co-eds enjoy the parties, but not so much the stress that goes along with party planning and day-of preparations/clean-up.  Especially when planning a party by oneself!  I have some FAB news for you:  the party can be a hit with practically stress-free planning.  Here are 3 great steps to hosting an unforgettable summer party that you’ll enjoy as much as everyone else attending!

1) FOOD!  As all savvy hostesses know, food can be BY FAR one of the most stressful portions of hosting a party.  But smart co-eds should try this step: prepare EVERYTHING that you can the night before.  If you’re making burgers, either purchase prepared patties or shape up your own and stick them in the fridge over night so all you’ll have to do is stick them on the grill the next day.  Prepare your kebobs for grilling with the raw veggies and meats in its marinade and refrigerate overnight.  If you’re baking something, prepare the mix and stick it in the fridge so the next day all you have to do is pop it in the oven.  You’ll save yourself GOBS of time with the food preparation step, and you’ll have less to worry about.

2)  DECORATIONS!  Decorations are the other biggie that can stress you out as a hostess on the day-of.  Not only that, but they’re a pretty big expense to think about too, on top of the food that you already purchased.  So for smart co-eds that are trying to work on a budget and remain stress-free, try this:  on your party invites, personalize them to ask for a small contribution.  For one person, ask for paper plates, or plastic silverware, a couple streamers (probably at .99 cents each from some stores), some paper japanese lanterns (again, sold at many dollar stores), and other inexpensive decorations.  You can set out candles to be lit right before the party, and set up a table that has supplies on it such as extra sunscreen, fresh towels, a some water bottles, and bug spray.  When party goers arrive, make the party creative by handing them tape or tack of any kind and saying that you’re decorating as-you-go so that everyone has a part in making the party fantastic and creative!  It’s a fun, inexpensive, and smart way to handle decorations – and will leave you feeling more relaxed in the long run!

3) PARTY CLEAN-UP!  It’s the end of the party, and you’ve had a blast but are WIPED out!  There’s an easy solution for clean-up.  First, save yourself time by trying to make sure the party remains as much outside the house as possible so there is very little to do inside.  Second, during the party have  a visible trash can for everyone to throw any and everything in, a recycling bin beside it for all pop and beer bottles that can be recycled, and a box beside that titled “left behind.”  At the end of the party, when you find something that someone has left behind, put it in the box so that everything is one place at the end!  Finally, when everyone is done with food, have lids and foil/saran wrap at the ready to put right in the fridge or toss in the trash, and fold up the table it was on (if applicable) so it doesn’t have to be done later.  The more organizing you do right off the bat, the far less you will have to worry about once everyone leaves!

Planning a party can be fun, and executing one doesn’t have to be a stressful day.  Enjoy it as much as everyone else at the party, and think of this: the more relaxed you are, the more fun everyone else will have, and the more they will appreciate all your efforts!  So get out the grill, put on your summery sweet dress and get some cocktails ready (of age of course) — your summer party is bound to be a cinch!

Kelsey Book is a  writer and a dreamer who thinks faith, family, and musicals make her world go ’round!   She loves hosting fabulous parties while wearing adorable summer dresses from Express, and thinks you can’t go wrong with a make your-own strawberry shortcake station.  MMMM….