Let me give you a short overview how you can arrange this. As soon as the first guests arrive, lead those to the room where you are planning to serve the drinks; you can also host a cocktail party in this room, if you want to. Remember a cocktail party has enough room for all to sit or there are enough people standing so that they do not feel bad doing so. In the “drinking” room, it will be good for the atmosphere if there is some soft music playing in the background. Prepare some appetizers and hors d’oeuvres for your guests and they will feel special.
Now when the time comes that you want to serve your main meal, gently invite your guests to the next venue, for example your dining room or your living room converted for the evening into a dining area. There are even people who use the patio for this purpose, this is a great ambiance if the weather outside is warm. Guest will stay on the patio until it gets chilly.
After that, you can invite them in for the dessert, coffee and after-dinner drinks. In case you serve, the main meal inside you can change venues the other way around and serve your dessert on the well-lit patio with some atmospheric heaters taking care of the comfort and warmth. You see that it is very easy to keep the party moving. Each move causes in most cases a nice conversation with another guest, time to get to know that guest well too.
Tap the talents of your guests
Do not underestimate the talents of your guests. No, try to use their natural talents. For example, when it looks like the party is a little flat. You should ask them first of course, never surprise them and put them unexpectedly in the spotlight. That could make them feel very uncomfortable. The best is to ask them already before the date of the party if they are willing to show the other guests some of their skills. By asking, one of your guests to play some boogie on the piano or the future singer/songwriter to play on of his/her latest compositions you can take the party to a higher level for the moment.
I can recall a party where my wife and I were invited. One of the guests,
noticed an old organ, a bit dusty in the corner, he asked the host if he could try it. Of course, the host agreed. This man started playing the intro of “Child in Time” and all of a sudden, it looked like Ian Gillan himself was amongst the guests, at least one of them started singing like Ian. When the mini concert was over, old records came from the dusty shelves and a 70’s rock revival was born. Sometimes you have to control the traffic flow a bit by entertaining, for example, when the dinner is not exactly on time ready to be served.
The big event
You probably think this sound droll, but really, believe me; every party needs one big main event. An event that draws everyone’s attention and that keeps spinning in their heads forever. I hear you thinking; what on earth is he talking about, what can I do, which event do I need? Well you can plan a game, a contest, a special moment to toast at the guest of honor; some parties even have “The Dance” as a special event. This event helps you to keep the party moving. You really have to plan at least one of these events during the party. Of course, you are free to use some more, as back up plans. In case your original plan did not work out the way you wanted it, you can fall back on one of the other plans. Leave an old chess board on the coffee table, I bet one of your guests is attracted to that, opens it up, sets up the pieces and challenges everyone for a simultaneous game, now who tells me what happens next, a surprising turn to the party.