The Busy Buzz

As you prepare to share your home with friends at an open house, keep these helpful tips from Party at Home in mind:

• Normally an open house takes place on the weekend and lasts roughly 4 hours. Party at Home recommends having yours from 1 to 5 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon. 
• Don’t limit your entertaining space to the inside of the house. If possible, let the party flow outdoors. This will provide even more room for your guests to enjoy. 
• Design a menu that can last through the party with a minimum of fuss and can be prepared and frozen in advance. To show you care, prepare something special that is impressive and tasty yet simple to make. 
• To eliminate all those trips to the kitchen, be sure to provide food outside that can be set out beforehand. 
• Pick a variety of places — indoors and outdoors — to serve refreshments.

It’s important for your guests to feel comfortable and completely at ease during the party. Remind your granduate to do the following:

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  • Greet guests at the door 
  • Make introductions 
  • Keep mingling and thank them for coming when it is time for them to leave.

Be sure to plan your party well in advance. You want to allow enough time to be able to make your preparations at a leisurely pace to avoid burnout and stress.

Create a menu that you can easily prepare. Practice ahead of time, if necessary.

Shop and cook before the day of the party, and freeze what you can.

Accept help wherever you find it. Order out if it keeps you ahead of the game and feeling calm.

For an open house, stagger your invitation times between the hours of your party to keep guests flowing throughout the day.

Set food on tables all around the house, not in just one place. Be sure to have plates available wherever there is food.

Enlist the help of a friend to cut cake and serve food. Also have someone available to whisk away the dirty plates to facilitate easy cleanup after the party.

Keep the music low to allow for conversation among your guests.

Most important, relax and have a good time. The purpose of a party is to have fun with friends!