The idea of hosting an event at your home may seem overwhelming, but with some strategic, careful planning, it could end up being a fantastic time. There’s a lot to consider, from the type of event you want to host to how many guests will be in attendance. Let’s review some helpful information for the pre-planning stages and while you’re in the middle of putting all your ideas together. 

What is an Event

An event is a gathering of individuals, and usually, it's for a specific purpose, such as a wedding, birthday party, or retirement. The event can occur at a variety of locations, including at a private residence. 

Why You Should Have Events at Your Home

There are several reasons to host events at your home. For starters, you won’t have to worry about traveling anywhere to get to and from the venue. 

However, the biggest reason is that it’s a great way to get some of your favorite people together under one roof. Everyone in attendance gets to meet each other, leading to potential platonic, romantic, and networking opportunities. You also have the perk of deciding all the details about the event, including the date and start and end times.

The ability to have control over the food that's served is one of the best aspects of hosting. This is especially the case if you have dietary restrictions. A side benefit is that you get to determine the food set-up, including if you want the event to be a complete or partial potluck. The vibe is also important, such as whether you want it casual with simple appetizers or a formal sit-down meal.

How to Plan an Event at Your Home

There are several steps to planning an event at your home. The best way to get through the process is to make two lists, one showcasing your event decisions and another broken up into sections with items to check off under each one. 

For instance, on the first list, you can put “Decide how many guests to invite” and underneath, put the names of each person you want in attendance. On the second list, make a section titled “Guests and Invitations,” and include to-do items ranging from “Get invites printed” to “Get stamps for invitations.” These lists can help you stay organized and give you an idea of what you’ve already accomplished and what you still need to do.

Before doing anything, the first step is deciding on your budget. This will give you an idea of how much you can spend on each category, including invitations, food, and decorations.

Always budget for more than what you think you’ll need. For example, if you think you’re going to need $500 for food, budget $750 just in case, but still aim to stick to the original estimate. This gives you a little wiggle room in case prices change or you realize you need more of a particular item than what you originally planned. 

You’ll have to consider multiple key factors in the early stages of the event planning process, including the date, times, who will be in attendance, and whether the party will be indoors or out (or both). It’s also important to consider the food, particularly if you’re going to have the event catered, as the company typically needs a decent amount of notice. 

The number of guests will also be vital, along with how you’re going to send out invitations. For example, if you’re hand-writing the invitations, you can do them on your own time frame, but if you’re having a company handle the invitations for you, they’ll need advanced notice to get everything completed and sent out on time. 

Consider delegating simple tasks to trusted loved ones who are willing to help. Asking others to handle some of the event-planning tasks, such as picking up ingredients, mailing invitations, picking up stamps, or buying beverages, can be an easy way to get these necessary tasks done while eliminating some of the stress. It also gives loved ones who want to help the ability to do so without feeling like they’re overstepping. 

Avoid leaving everything until the last minute when you’re planning an event at your home. The goal is to make the process as stress-free as possible. The earlier you get tasks checked off your to-do list, the less you’re going to have on your mind that you know needs completing.

Written by Taylor McKnight, Author for Resource Entertainment