July 13, 2020
Concerts, Member events, and other large gatherings are currently put on pause, which can leave most of us with a void that’s only filled by socializing. That’s why we have to get creative. There’s no reason why a small party of 7 can’t feel like a party of 70, and we’ll show you how to make that possible. So if you’re struggling with adding life and glamour to your isolated gathering, keep reading.
Create an engaging playlist.
A good playlist brings out the right energy in people, and that’s probably why so many hosts have a hard time trying to find the perfect one to get guests out of their seats to socialize. If you have a hard time creating a playlist, choose one from Spotify or Apple Music that’s already made. To pick one, give your party a theme, whether you tell people about this theme or keep it to yourself. Ask yourself, if this gathering was a scene in a movie, what background music would be playing? Is it ’80s pop? Glam rock? Classical? Put those keywords in the search bar and find a playlist that speaks to you. And if you’re still stumped, create an empty playlist, send to your guests, and ask them to throw in their favorite songs. That way, you know at least one person will be pumped when their song comes on and their excitement will get others pumped, too.
Allow guests to participate.
Your guests should be a part of the party. They are well aware that you are the host, and if you have too many planned activities, the gathering can feel a bit forced. Always make time for mindless chatter. Allow people to catch up with each other and talk about current events. And you can also include them in the activities. Ask guests if they want to help make cocktails, DJ for the night, or organize drinking games. You can even have a fun raffle to get people excited about a prize – perhaps a bottle of ONE ROQ Vodka. But the No. 1 thing to keep in mind is to go with the flow. If people seem super engaged in an activity, keep it going. If they’re losing interest and just want to drink and chat, be mindful of that.
Serve effortless food and drinks.
Food and drinks are the heart of every party. Make sure you have sufficient food so that your guests can feel satisfied and energized, but not so full that they’re sluggish. A safe option is to have a wide array of appetizers, from charcuterie boards to mini meatballs. Finger food feels effortless and allows people to grab something to eat throughout the party as they please. Unless your gathering is a sit-down dinner, not everyone will be hungry at the same time. Also, make sure you ask guests about dietary restrictions beforehand so that you can accommodate everyone.
Once you have the food menu, it’s time to craft the perfect cocktails. Take a look at a few ONE ROQ Vodka summer cocktail recipes to get inspired.
Choose a comfortable location.
Location plays a huge part in whether or not people will attend, and how they’ll engage with people throughout the party. Location tells people what to wear, what time to get there, and what time to leave based on the party’s proximity to their home. A BBQ on the beach says casual fun, while a private dinner at a high-end restaurant says formal. To avoid any confusion, it’s always a good idea to set the mood when you send out invitations.
If your gathering is at your home, find fun ways to make it feel not too casual and homey. Add a photo booth or karaoke station. Redecorate your backyard and pump up your home bar. And keep in mind what the lighting looks like. After a few cocktails, no one wants bright lights in their face all night.
Leave guests with great memories.
No one is expecting a small party to have the same energy as a 10,000-person concert. A small party can, however, leave people with unforgettable memories. To create a fantastic last impression, ensure guests can leave the party whenever they’d like to because forcing them to stay until a certain time can create restlessness and ruin the atmosphere. You should also send people away with an adult version of a goodie bag, filled with maybe a candle, mini cocktail bottles, or gift cards. And be sure to take photos and videos throughout the night so that you can share them with your guests the following day or week. That way, they’ll never forget what a great time they had.
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