https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 14 Aug 2026 22:59:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395956 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 14:52:56 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1395956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@psw27: I agree, I do a quick sweep to get the dust and dirt up, but I really don't worry about mopping until after the party. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395954 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 14:52:54 +0000 Rubies 1395954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't host if you expect your guests to leave before your kids' bedtimes!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395949 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 14:51:10 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1395949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: My mom always insists that there be healthy options at a party (mostly she never goes without a veggie tray). But over time I have found that even just ranch and carrots or a fruit tray go over much better. </p> <p>I like to have a few extra options that I can pull out or save for later if needed. Like an extra bag of chips if we start to run out of food. But if we don't need them they won't go to waste. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395933 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 14:45:54 +0000 Cole 1395933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>These are great tips! My favorite trick is to set the dining room table (or wherever you set out food) days in advance and put the unopened chips etc in their correct bowl with sticky notes on the dishes that get perishable items. It means my husband can do last minute prep while I jump in the shower. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395795 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 14:16:05 +0000 Modern Daisy 1395795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1) Always put the beverage station and appetizers far away from your working space (the kitchen) and put a trash can next to it.</p> <p>2) Try your best to think of anything someone might need and put that out with the beverages and appetizers. If you can minimize the special requests or logistical questions it makes your job so much easier and less stressful. </p> <p>3) Make all food super easy to eat, people avoid things that are messy or too large to fit on a cocktail plate. </p> <p>4) Arrange furniture so that everyone you are expecting to come can sit comfortably and converse. I used to go to a BBQ every year and the hosts only had one small table on their porch and every year by the time we got there the same group of people had arrived before us and 'claimed' seats at the table. They only got up to use the bathroom and never mingled with other guests. Since then I have always arranged furniture so no one is left out of a conversation or has to stand uncomfortably.</p> <p>5) Have everythign ready to go well before guests arrive. This way, if you run into a snag like realizing you are out of propane or charcoal you have plenty of time to run to the store. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395744 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 14:04:45 +0000 swedishfish 1395744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: I would've eaten your veggie platter! It's always good to eat some veggies before attacking the junk food. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395737 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 14:02:31 +0000 littlek 1395737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CupQuakeWalk: Brilliant!!!</p> <p>I like to clean up right after the party. If you leave it till the next morning you may not have the energy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395724 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 14:00:01 +0000 swedishfish 1395724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: @BakerBee: that was my answer as well! Cleaning, prepping the food, cooking...it's too much work with a LO! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395687 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 13:47:35 +0000 autumnlove 1395687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CupQuakeWalk: SMART!!!!!!!! I let everyone eat in the living room.....boo! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395682 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 13:45:19 +0000 LBee 1395682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: That was going to be my answer too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395669 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 13:42:00 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1395669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Call in a cleaning lady afterwards. Mine is here now putting our house back together from last night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395665 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 13:40:36 +0000 prettylizy 1395665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: I served dessert to DH's family 2 weeks ago on plates I had left over from E's first birthday. I may or may not have even gotten out the birthday napkins that were sitting next to the plates to hand out with dessert. I'm fine with it. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395662 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 13:40:09 +0000 sunny 1395662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it's a big party, set up an Evite.<br /> People at our parties seem to like finger foods that don't get too messy<br /> Have a big bottle of Folex carpet cleaner on hand for accidents.<br /> Cut up tomatoes and strawberries for the kids-they seem to stay cleaner when they aren't eating them whole<br /> Cheese and crackers are always a hit with our friends </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395655 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 13:36:20 +0000 illumina 1395655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: I get so stressed about the cleaning, cooking, entertaining at home that I prefer to take people out and just pay for their meal! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395649 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 13:34:52 +0000 autumnlove 1395649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: :) hahaha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395648 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 13:34:37 +0000 autumnlove 1395648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@prettylizy: YES! I still had leftover blue plates from LO's party! &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395646 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 13:34:23 +0000 illumina 1395646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not to do it! I'm sorry but I'm like the Grinch when it comes to hosting things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395406 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 12:17:54 +0000 psw27 1395406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't bother mopping the floors beforehand. I don't even know why I clean beforehand... other than bathrooms and clean handtowels, its all messy in 10 minutes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395361 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 12:04:25 +0000 Weagle 1395361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Call it a potluck whenever appropriate! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395359 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 12:04:05 +0000 prettylizy 1395359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Too much food is better than too little food. Use disposable cutlery and plates to save your sanity </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395346 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 12:00:26 +0000 Anagram 1395346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't stress about the "perfect dish". My husband invited some of his work friends and their wives over for superbowl and I hadn't met any of them before. I REALLY wanted to make bbq beef brisket, texas style since we are from Dallas before we lived here...but wouldn't you know it, briskets are hard to come by in NJ (lol). </p> <p>So I made baby back ribs instead but was really disappointed that I had to use a back up plan....</p> <p>But they were a HIT! two of the guys begged to take the leftovers home, so I said sure. *shrug* Guess you can never go wrong with ribs and football. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395239 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 11:36:56 +0000 autumnlove 1395239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: Bacon is a great idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395227 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 11:33:20 +0000 Corduroy 1395227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Serve simple food that people like. I have an adventurous palate but I don't subject my friends to it anymore (oxtails for 25 of my closest friends did not go over well). For pot lucks I usually bring a plate of bacon. Sounds weird but it always disappears regardless of the type of party. </p> <p>On the other hand I always make one veggie item for the vegan, gluten free, allergic, whatever crowd. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395112 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 11:02:32 +0000 mamimami 1395112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If the host isn't having a good time, no one else will! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395090 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 10:56:35 +0000 rattles 1395090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Focus on the things people notice (food) and include one personal touch or twist to each get-together. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395068 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 10:50:29 +0000 LuLu Mom 1395068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've learned I can make 1/2 the amount of food I normally do and still have leftovers. </p> <p>Only reason I buy a veggie tray is so I can eat all of the leftovers in a kick-butt salad because it goes untouched ;) </p> <p>You can never have too many paper towels! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395067 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 10:49:45 +0000 Mae 1395067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actually feel like veggie trays are a hot item at our get togethers! Also that I ALWAYS get way too much food (and yet I'll continue to do it). Also it is my strong preference to have enough comfortable seating for everyone, which does mean smaller parties. But I don't know that many people anyways. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395060 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 10:47:21 +0000 Freckles 1395060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Use paper plates if it's a casual affair, and rent plates/flatware if you're having more than 4 people over!</p> <p>@autumnlove: i totally agree about the veggie platter. we had a really small one out this time and half was consumed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395051 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 10:45:38 +0000 autumnlove 1395051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-you-learned-about-hosting-parties#post-1395017 Mon, 03 Feb 2014 10:35:48 +0000 blackbird 1395017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Always have booze! </p>